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Larkhill

Larkhill
Larkhill Hangers.jpg
The BCAC hangars at Larkhill, the remains of the first military aerodrome in Britain
Larkhill is located in Wiltshire
Larkhill
Larkhill
Larkhill shown within Wiltshire
Population 2,358 (2011 census)
OS grid reference SU132443
Civil parish
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town SALISBURY
Postcode district SP4
Dialling code 01980
Police Wiltshire
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
List of places
UK
England
WiltshireCoordinates: 51°11′53″N 1°48′47″W / 51.198°N 1.813°W / 51.198; -1.813

Larkhill is a garrison town in the civil parish of Durrington, Wiltshire, England. It lies about 1 34 miles (2.8 km) west of the centre of Durrington village and 1 12 mi (2.4 km) north of the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge. It is about 10 mi (16 km) north of Salisbury.

The settlement has a long association with the British military and originally grew from military camps. It is now one of the main garrisons on Salisbury Plain, along with Tidworth Camp, Bulford Camp and Warminster. The Royal School of Artillery is located at Larkhill and the Royal Artillery moved its barracks there from Woolwich in 2008.

Before the military garrison was established the area was known as Lark Hill, part of Durrington Down, owing to it being the highest point in the parish. After the first military buildings were established, it came to be known as Larkhill Camp.

Much of Larkhill lies within the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, an area rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. Several long barrows and round barrow groups are located within the settlement. Robin Hood's Ball, the Stonehenge Cursus and the Lesser Cursus lie close to the garrison.

The first modern settlement came in 1899, when a tented camp was established for units training on an area of Salisbury Plain that became known as Larkhill range. Units were accommodated in large official campsite areas whilst training throughout the summer. As Larkhill range was designated for artillery practice, many of the units were artillery batteries. In 1914, the first permanent huts were built on the down.


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