First stop today is Wilton House, one of the "Treasure Houses" of Britain. Owned by the Earls of Pembroke this house was built on the foundations of an abbey founded by King Alfred in 871 AD. It was converted to a home after Henry VIII's catastrophic Dissolution of the Abbeys in the 16th century left it in near ruin. The famous architect, Inigo Jones, is responsible for rebuilding much of this home in the 17th century but Tudor architecture still remains. There are portraits by Van Dyke, fabulous ceilings and furnishings and a magnificent parkland worth a tour in itself.

Directions from Esseborne Manor to Wilton: Come south on the 343 and take the A303 toward Amesbury then head south on the A345 toward Salisbury. On the outskirts of Salisbury, take the A30 a few miles west to Wilton. Open daily Easter-October. Tel: (0)1722 746729.

Leaving Wilton, retrace your steps on the A30 to the A345 north a couple miles to the towering earthworks of Old Sarum (or visit Old Sarum and then Wilton House. They are very close). For travelers who have read the book, "Sarum", this is a must-stop. First an Iron Age fort, then a Saxon settlement and finally a Norman fortress, this was the original town of Salisbury. You can see the outline of the first cathedral. The townsfolk moved this ancient village to the more fertile river valley just south of here and thus the current town of Salisbury was created. Open daily except December 24-26, Jan 1st. Tel: (0) 1722 335398.

By now you are ready for lunch, so continue down the A345 into Salisbury. The A345 becomes Castle Road, then Castle Street and it drops you right in the heart of the old town. Park your car and enjoy lunch at one of the many pubs or restaurants near the Cathedral.

After lunch, visit the most elegant of all England's great churches. Salisbury Cathedral stands on the banks of the River Avon in an idyllic, medieval setting. Begun in 1220, little has changed in 800 years except the addition of the lovely, 14th century spire, the highest in England at 404 feet. You may not want to know that its foundations are only 4 feet deep! An original copy of the Magna Carta is on view (there are four in existence) and a 14th century clock in the nave is possibly the oldest in Europe.

Allow a couple hours to wander through the church and the tree-lined close outside lined with about 80 grand houses, many open for touring. There is much to see in Salisbury so enjoy the afternoon, strolling through historic streets named after trades that once prospered there such as Butcher Row or Silver Street

Directions: It's about 45 minutes back to Esseborne Manor. Take the A30 heading toward Stockbridge and Winchester (signs may say Andover, also). Vere left to the A343 that will take you back through Andover and up to Esseborne Manor on the right, one mile north of Hurstbourne Tarrant.