Walk past the rear of the Memorial Gardens into Long Close East, to the junction of Gravel Close. Turn right for a short distance and you will see the Victorian Downton Primary School, built in 1896 as the Downton Board School. As the village has grown the school has been extended carefully in keeping with the original architecture (other than the most recent building works adjacent to the Memorial Gardens). Sadly the bell no longer calls the children to their classes but the ornate domed tower still crowns the building.
Now retrace your steps back past the junction with Long Close East. Gravel Close was part of the old coach road that crossed The Borough and continued along South Lane, before the A338 was constructed.
In the 19th Century this was a very poor area and had the ironic local name of ‘Belgravia’.
On the right hand side of the road is the old Baptist Chapel. Closed in 1891 this is now the home of the Downton Band. Band members carry on a delightful tradition of playing carols through the village in the early hours of Christmas morning, known as ‘the Secret of Christmas'. The local pre-school, used to be held here daily prior to moving to the new building at the rear of the Memorial Hall.
Further along the lane, the house named Barlings stands on what was the entrance to a field where Downton Football Club once played. Continue along the footpath on the unmade road past a row of Longford Estate houses to reach Newcourt House.
