Spotlight On: Alexis from Cranborne Chase Escapes

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role

I’m Alexis, founder of Cranborne Chase Escapes, based in Broad Chalke. After 16 years working in the humanitarian world, it was time for a change, so I built a business around something that I genuinely love - helping people explore the countryside by e-bike. My role mixes guiding, route planning, meeting visitors from all over, and sharing the landscapes and villages that make this part of Wiltshire so special.

What do you like best about your role?

It’s the combination of people and place. I get to meet guests of all ages and abilities, and watch them relax, explore and enjoy the outdoors, sometimes rediscovering cycling for the first time in years. And of course, being out in the Cranborne Chase most days is a privilege. Every ride feels a little different: the views, the wildlife, the seasons…it never gets old.

Where are your favourite places to visit in Wiltshire and why?

I love the chalk landscapes of the Chalke Valley, the sweeping views from the Ox Droves and the big, open skies around Win Green and Martin Down. For something gentler, the lanes of the Nadder Valley are also beautiful - quiet, scenic and full of character.

Do you have any hidden Wiltshire gems that you’d like to share with our readers?

Well, I can’t give all my secrets away…but the Chalke Valley has some incredible tucked-away spots. There’s a small valley near Broad Chalke we jokingly call “Bunny Valley” (not its real name!) because you often see rabbits, hares and the occasional deer there. Prescombe Down, just north of Ebbesbourne Wake, is another favourite; it’s peaceful, unspoilt and spectacular. Oh…and if you know where to look, not too far from Berwick St John you’ll find a bench at the head of a valley with a pretty special view!

Where’s your favourite Wiltshire picnic spot?

Win Green is a classic for a reason. The views stretch for miles, and it’s one of those places where everyone seems to feel instantly lighter and calmer.

Where are your favourite places to eat out in Wiltshire and why?

I’m lucky to have some brilliant pubs nearby. The Queen’s Head in Broad Chalke is my local and always welcoming; The Talbot Inn in Berwick St John does fantastic food in a beautiful setting (the Sunday roasts are next level); and The Compasses Inn at Chicksgrove is perfect for a cosy, proper countryside pub stop. They’re the kind of places where you can turn up after a ride and feel instantly at home.