Stay in Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a beautiful county with a history that can be dated back about 6000 years. Often known as “the gateway to the West Country”, Wiltshire is the perfect destination for a relaxing break at any time of the year. There are many beautiful gardens, the White Horse Trail where you can see eight white horses carved into the hillsides, or you can take a leisurely wander through the ancient market towns, to pick up the real flavour of country life.
Stonehenge, on Salisbury Plain, is known the world over as an ancient monument of huge historical significance. The enchanting stone circles at Avebury lie in the epicentre of the mystical Wiltshire landscape, with Silbury Hill close by, the largest man-made prehistoric mound in Europe.
Wiltshire also offers beautiful countryside with open downland where the views are uninterrupted for miles, the river valleys with their sparkling clear waters and the ancient forests and picture postcard villages. There is a great range of accommodation in Wiltshire, from self catering holiday cottages to friendly guest houses and luxury hotels and spas.
There are many towns and villages to explore in Wiltshire, including Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Marlborough, Devizes and Chippenham, and of course the newly Royal Wootton Bassett, recently granted “Royal” status following the hugely respectful role that the townsfolk played in the repatriation of war casualties into RAF Lyneham. There are many things to do in Wiltshire, with attractions including Lacock, famous for the Fox Talbot museum and as a location for the Harry Potter films., Salisbury Cathedral, Longleat Safari Park and the gardens at Stourhead, as well as many stately homes like Bowood House.
Salisbury
Salisbury, the County town of Wiltshire, is often called the “City in the Countryside”, surrounded as it is by beautiful English landscapes. Its charm was captured by Turner in his many paintings of the local area. At the heart of Salisbury is Salisbury Cathedral, a towering example of Early English Gothic architecture. This medieval Cathedral, set in the picturesque and peaceful surroundings of the Cathedral Close, has the tallest spire in Britain, measured at 123 metres. Inside is a copy of the Magna Carta as well as the oldest working clock in Europe, dating back to 1386.
Marlborough
A beautiful and historic market town spanning the Old Bath Road, Marlborough boasts one of the widest high streets in Britain. Occupied since around 2400 BC, this very old settlement on the River Kennet possesses a castle mound occupied by William the Conqueror in 1100 that is now part of the famous college nestling at the heart of the town. Marlborough, close to Avebury and Stonehenge, is a great walking centre with easy access to the ancient Ridgeway and Savernake Forest and hosts a summer jazz festival and the Marlborough Mop Fair each October.
Swindon
A famous railway town, Swindon grew to a major population centre after the industrial revolution and remains a well-connected business and retail destination at the heart of the Thames Valley. Brunel's famous railway works have been reveveloped to become a superb museum and shopping complex, housing the National Trust's headquarters, Heelis. Located on the Paddington to Bristol and Wales mainline rail route and close to the east-west artery of the M4, there are many excellent hotels and bed and breakfasts to be found here.
For your stay in Wiltshire, you may want a hotel, guest house, bed and breakfast, hostel, camp site, spa resort, self catering cottage or a holiday park – simply select your chosen accommodation to view more details.
There are many exciting events happening in Wiltshire through the year and Wiltshire offers several world class visitor attractions not to be missed.