Wiltshire Things to Do

  The remains of the Cathedral at Old...
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  • The remains of the Cathedral at Old Sarum
      The remains of the Cathedral at Old...
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  • Salisbury Cathedral
      Salisbury Cathedral
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  • Malmesbury Abbey
      Malmesbury Abbey
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  • Norman Arch Malmesbury abbey
      Norman Arch Malmesbury abbey
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  • Abben entrance gate
      Abben entrance gate
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Wiltshire

76.

Longleat Safari Park   Warminster

Longleat Safari Park, Warminster

 9 Reviews  Longleat is a great day out for all the family. I went with my boyfriend about a week after my mum and nan went - me and my bf got round the whole park in plenty of time but mum & nan didn't but the... 

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77.

Centre Park   Warminster

Centre Park, Warminster

 10 Reviews   C P is a real Mecca for kids and families who love biking and outdoor activities! Bikes can be rented for ..........5 pounds a day ..........8 pounds for midweek term ..........12 pounds for the... 

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78.

Longleat Other Attractions   Warminster

Longleat Other Attractions, Warminster

 7 Reviews  Longleat house operate a 'passport' system, whereby you can visit each of the attractions on the estate once - and you can do it on any day you like in a season. You can also by individual entry to... 

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79.

Longleat Gardens   Warminster

Longleat Gardens, Warminster

 2 Reviews  The gardens are very clearly the work of 'Capability' Brown. Now that is what I call a nickname. Good job he didn't carry the moniker of 'mixed abilty' Brown! As with all Capability Browns efforts,... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Built by Welshmen?

by Bwana_Brown

The inner, smaller man-sized rocks used in the construction of Stonehenge, called 'bluestones' have recently had some light shed on them by the discovery of a mass grave for 7 people. This 2300-year-old grave, only 5-km from Stonehenge was found near Boscombe Down in 2003 during construction activity associated with road works. The grave contained the skeletal remains of an older man (35-45 years) with a previously broken leg, two young men (25-30), a teenage lad (15-18) and three young children (2-7). A new scientific technique which analyzes the chemical composition of tooth enamel provides information on where the person spent their early formative years, since the enamel retains certain chemicals as it forms in children. It can determine how far the person was from the ocean, at what height above sea level and even some climatic clues to the place of habitation. Based on this, it was...

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Lacock Abbey (Hogwarts Schl in Harry Potter movie)

by zestnzeal2003

The unique character of Lacock is a result of its long association with the abbey. This was the last religious house in England to be suppressed at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Lacock Abbey is a beautiful gothic building with medieval features such as the cloisters. For those who are interested, the Abbey's cloisters and side rooms were transformed into the classrooms at Hogwarts School for the Harry Potter Films.

Stonehenge - Two Decades Earlier

by Bwana_Brown

I seem to recall that our first visit to Stonehenge, in May 1981, was a less formal affair. I don't recall paying to view the site but, as you can see in the photo, the strand to keep visitors back a certain distance was there even then! On this occasion, we were living in Papua New Guinea and this was one stop on our 9-week Around-the-World trip that the company paid for part way through my contract (this was the Canada-England-Kenya part of the trip). The date of our visit also happened to be my youngest daughter's first birthday!

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Stonehenge from the Perimeter

by Bwana_Brown

This photo gives a better impression of what you will see with the naked eye on most of the walk around the circular stones. In addition to the impressive stones, which were arranged in a particular pattern to tie in with phases of the sun, there are also circular ditches and banks (and burial mounds) surrounding the site that are even older than the stone monument itself - hence the fence to keep visitors at bay! Even on this blustery morning in February, there were a fair number of other people touring the site, but it certainly was not crowded!

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Stonehenge

by Bwana_Brown

After our morning walk at Lacock Village, we realized that we were not very far from Stonehenge, so we headed south east, arriving at about 11 AM on a 7 degree C and windy morning. This 7000-year old World Heritage Site is a 'Must See' if ever there was one - with the stone monoliths themselves dating from about 2500 BC. The larger upright stones are called the Sarsen stones and were brought from the Marlborough Downs about 19 miles away. There is a free-parking zone nearby, from where you can purchase your entrance tickets for 5 pounds (US$ 8) each. A tunnel takes you under the A344 highway before you emerge at the circle of stones. A single strand fence keeps all visitors a goodly distance away from the stones but allows you to walk completely around the site (free audio headphones are also available giving a running commentary on the important features as you complete the walk).

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Lacock Village Houses

by Bwana_Brown

Lacock Village is a very impressive mixture of houses and buildings dating from different eras spanning hundreds of years. It has a mixture of timber-framed houses with their protruding upper stories, as well as 17th century stone houses and later on brick Georgian-style buildings. Because of its important position on the stage coach routes linking Bristol to London, the village also boasts three interesting Inns (check my Restaurant tip for The George Inn). Being protected within the sphere of the Abbey estates, the Talbot family prevented railroads or any other manifestation of the Industrial Revolution from reaching the village - leaving it as a time capsule of an English village from hundreds of years ago. This photo shows a close-up view of some of the half-timbered houses in the Village.

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Lacock Abbey Close-up

by Bwana_Brown

Over the course of its history, the Abbey has been altered a number of times, leading to four different building styles being used to make up its present form. Sharington had travelled abroad and he introduced Italian style architecture when he remodelled the estate in the mid-1500s. Since he died childless, ownership passed to his niece Mrs. John Talbot. In 1754, further renovations in the Gothic revival style were carried out. The estate also has a Botanic Garden and extensive grounds that are open for tours. The Abbey has also recently featured in the Harry Potter movie series!

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The River Avon Again!

by Bwana_Brown

This view shows the small road that runs across the front of the estate, heading off across its extensive grounds toward the west. There is a long and narrow arched stone bridge (partially visible) over the River Avon, which we were very surprised to come across again since we had just been there much further north the day before - when we had been at Stratford-upon-Avon! It turns out that there are 3 or 4 River Avons in England, and this one is different from that of Shakespeare fame! We had a very nice early morning walk along here, meeting one of the estate staff returning from a walk in one of the huge fields with an Alsatian (German Shepard) in tow. In 1944, Lacock Abbey, its grounds and associated Village were donated to the National Trust of England by the descendents of Talbot family who had assumed ownership in 1553. Various parts of the estate are open to visitors between April...

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Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm

by LouiseTopp

Winner of Wiltshire Family Attraction of the Year Award 1998 and 2000, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm Park & Rabbit World is a popular tourist attraction set in an attractive rural area on the Wiltshire /Hampshire border. With views to Salisbury Cathedral. Offering a relaxing experience for all ages it’s lovely for the children, particularly in the summertime. Rabbit World has over 50 breeds. These rabbits are kept in little enclosures, come at the right time & you’ll see their babies. Sometimes they might come up to you & let you touch them. Some of other things which can be seen are:Pork Stakes" Pig Races. The pigs wear little labels & run up a small racecourse, you can bet on the winner.• Beautiful Gardens & Water Gardens: There is a pond next to the Ewe Tree Tea-rooms where peacocks like to gather for a natter. The café does snacks, lunches & cream tea’s.• Tractor & Trailer Rides (50p)•...

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Malmesbury House

by LouiseTopp

Malmesbury House is the family residence of Mr and Mrs John Cordle. It’s next to St Ann’s Gate & was formerly a 13th century canonry. It’s been enlarged over the years; it was rented in 1660 to the Harris family, whose ancestry became the Earls of Malmesbury House. Behind the Wren façade (1698 - 1704) are rooms with superb decorative plasterwork. Among the many famous guests to the house, were King Charles 2nd, who came to flee from the Black Death in 1665, & the musician Handel, who gave recitals in the chapel above St Ann’s Gate. Frances Webb, a direct descendent of Queen Elizabeth 2nd , lived in the house in the 1770s.The enterance to the house is fronted by a large gate with two black ornamental greyhounds on the top, they are made of stone, & not real.

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Fun things to do in Wiltshire

Top 3 Hotels in Wiltshire

Cricket Field House Hotel  Salisbury

 1 Review and 82 Opinions  The virtue of major hotel chains is their conistency. If you travel in business this simplifies... 

 Hotels in Salisbury

The New Inn Avebury  Avebury

 1 Review and 33 Opinions  The New Inn in Winterbourne Monkton, a mile or so from the Village of Avebury, is a quaint country... 

 Hotels in Avebury

De Vere Swindon  Swindon

 1 Review and 180 Opinions  Very nice hotel situated on West Swindon, 10 minutes by taxi from Bus and train station. Very... 

 Hotels in Swindon

166 Hotels in Wiltshire
 
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Reviews and photos of Wiltshire attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Wiltshire sightseeing.

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Things to Do: Cities in Wiltshire
  1. Salisbury Things to Do
  2. Stonehenge Things to Do
  3. Swindon Things to Do
  4. Warminster Things to Do
  5. Avebury Things to Do
  6. Bradford on Avon Things to Do
  7. Malmesbury Things to Do
  8. Amesbury Things to Do
  9. Wilton Things to Do
  10. Old Sarum Things to Do
  11. Marlborough Things to Do

More Cities in Wiltshire

 

Questions and Answers

amandajayne81 profile photo

Q:  I have been trying to find a route that shows some or all of the White Horses in the Wiltshire and surrounding areas. If anyone... 

ghosthunter profile photo

A: Hi Amanda, The following website provides pictures & maps of the area where the white horses are : www.whitehorsewalking.co.uk/whitehorsetrail.htm Have a nice time,... 

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