The Chalke Valley is the name given to the valley of the River Ebble, which runs east from its source near the village of Berwick St John to the Avon Valley south of Salisbury. The valley is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt in Wiltshire, lying a fold in the chalk downs at the northern edge of Cranbourne Chase and is part of the Cranborne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
At its upper or western end the downland which forms the sides of the valley is typical of the chalklands of this part of southern England with wide open views and few trees or hedges. Further east in the centre of the valley there are more trees and the appearance of the valley is more domesticated, with large farms extending up the adjacent hills. Finally at the eastern end, before the valley opens out into the Avon Valley, the slopes are partly wooded with the covers of the Longford Estate and the floor of the valley widens with meadows and willow trees.
Because the river Ebble joins the Avon south of Salisbury, the valley does not have a major road link along its length, unlike the four river valleys that join at the city. Instead the valley road becomes narrower with sections of single track as it runs westward linking the villages together, eventually making its way to Shaftesbury.
Across the valley the steep chalk slopes and waterless uplands have resulted in only narrow lanes linking the Ebble Valley to the Vale of Wardour and Cranbourne Chase. As a result the Ebble Valley is largely unspoilt with little through traffic unlike the valleys of the Nadder, Wylye, Bourne and Avon.
In prehistoric times the chalk uplands were the most populated parts of the valley, of which many visible signs remain. Since then, in more peaceful times and due to a shortage of water most settlement was on the valley floor.
Along the valley are a chain of villages from Berwick St John in the west to Nunton at its eastern end. Clustered round their stone built churches, the villages are traditionally close knit, with many old cottages of stone, brick and flint or cob and thatch. Until recently the principal villages had shops, pubs and schools and were largely self sufficient.
As in much of Wiltshire there are many un-surfaced tracks running up the chalk slopes and across the open downs beyond. These tracks provide excellent opportunities for walking and riding with many open views and vistas down to the valley villages.
The river Ebble itself is the linking thread running through the Chalke Valley. The river is a typical chalk stream with crystal clear water giving a home to many water plants and fauna including the brown trout and is now part of a Wild Fishing Protection Zone. The beauty of the river and the meadows along its length is typical of the character of this lovely and unspoilt valley.