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This Lion was erected in memory of local benefactor James Long, who in 1786 was behind the re-routing of the Andover-Devizes road so it had a gentler gradient and, according to its plaques "A former tedious and dangerous Way over the adjacent Hill is avoided". Local legend has it that when the clock at St James's Church in Devizes strikes midnight the lion comes down and goes for a drink at a farm pond in the nearby village of Stert. Some have suggested, however, that it is rather different drinking that results in late night sightings of thirsty lions. Tichborne's was a dairy farm from the early 19th century when the holiday cottages were milking byres. The Nash family bought the farm in 1972, and the sheds became stables for breeding horses before being converted into accommodation in 2002. Far from the road, Tichborne's is very safe for youngsters, and provides a tranquil relaxing atmosphere.
It's no coincidence that the cottages are named after wild birds - here you should see and hear skylarks, linnets and goldfinches, together with fieldfares, kestrels and buzzards. Not forgetting summer visitors the swallows, and our resident family of little owls that can be heard calling to each other at dawn and dusk from around the farm. Water comes from a borehole, providing wonderful, chemical-free water that has been filtered through the chalk of Salisbury Plain. The area is also well known for its annual display of crop circles, as well as more permanent ancient monuments including tumili, Iron age forts and sarsen stones. |
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The farm dates from the 15th century, and was owned by the Tichborne family as part of a larger estate, that included the land where the Lion Monument stands, on the Andover Road. 
Today the farm offers livery stabling for horses, and has a small herd of pedigree Aberdeen Angus suckler cows - very laid back individuals who can be seen in the fields around. 
