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The gateway to the West Country - Wiltshire
Known as "The gateway to the West Country", Wiltshire is a beautiful county of great diversity. Covering an area of almost 3,500 sq km it unites the districts of Kennet, West Wilts, North Wiltshire, Salisbury and South Wiltshire with the Borough of Swindon. With a population of nearly 430,000 and with much of the county designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Wiltshire is the perfect destination for a relaxing break at any time of the year. Admire the beauty of Wiltshire’s gardens; walk the White Horse Trail to see Wiltshire’s eight white horses carved into the hillsides; or take a leisurely wander through the Wiltshire market towns and pick up the real flavour of country life.
But perhaps Wiltshire's real uniqueness lies in the beauty of its countryside; the open downland where your view is uninterrupted for miles; the river valleys with their sparkling clear waters and the ancient forests and picture postcard villages. Wherever you visit in this ancient, unspoilt and truly wonderful county, you will be assured a warm welcome and service of the highest quality.
Mystical Wiltshire
There are few places in the world that can equal Wiltshire's sensation of mystical forces and unseen timeless energies. Stonehenge needs no introduction and is known the world over as an ancient monument of huge significance. Avebury's enchanting stone circles lie in the epicentre of Wiltshire's mystical landscape, with Europe's largest man-made prehistoric mound, Silbury Hill, and Britain's largest burial chamber, the West Kennet Long Barrow, close by. In the summer months, crop circles also adorn Wiltshire’s fields surrounding this enigmatic area.
Out & About in Wiltshire
Children will find many delights to occupy their time in the county of Wiltshire. Longleat is home to a multitude of attractions including the world famous Safari Park and the world's largest maze. Discover the history of the railway at Swindon's interactive attraction, STEAM - the Museum of the Great Western Railway, or make a splash at the Oasis Leisure Centre complete with Domebusters. For the more energetic; adventure playgrounds can be found at both Wilton House and Bowood House, and you can even tread in the footsteps of Hollywood at Old Wardour Castle, which was used for scenes in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. Lacock Abbey also featured very recently in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
Salisbury is a beautiful medieval city and its Cathedral, with the highest spire in England, cannot fail to impress. Bustling market towns such as Marlborough and Bradford on Avon offer visitors a warm welcome, and still serve the local farming communities as they have done for centuries. Wiltshire also offers the gentle pastime of canal boating along the famous Kennet and Avon Canal, and the canal towpath is excellent for both walking and cycling, with many friendly pubs along the way offering a well-earned rest.
Wiltshire Food and Drink
Wiltshire food and drink is at its best at this time of year. Visit our Farmers' Markets for an array of the very finest food and drink - try freshly pressed apple juice, smoked local trout terrine, or local goats' cheese. If all the shopping leaves you too worn out to cook, try one of our wonderful selection of pubs, restaurants or tea shops, many of whom specialise in using local produce wherever possible.
Wiltshire Accommodation
The choice of accommodation within the county is unrivalled, catering for everything from a romantic short break at one of our enchanting country house hotels to experiencing the homely comforts of a family owned bed and breakfast. Alternatively, Wiltshire has an excellent choice of farmhouse accommodation, self-catering units and campsites. Look out for providers who serve the "Wiltshire Breakfast" made from high quality local produce, much of which is organic. Or why not stay at the unique Queenwood Lodge (link) located in the centre on our beautiful golf course.
North Wiltshire
Over half the district of North Wiltshire is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with wooded river valleys, rolling downland and timeless villages of mellow stone cottages, portraying the idyllic English scene. Among these are the film locations of Castle Combe, acclaimed as England's prettiest village and the National Trust village of Lacock, which provided the romantic setting for Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Emma and where within the medieval abbey, photography itself was pioneered. Discover Malmesbury, England's oldest borough, with the remains of its impressive Norman Abbey and Cherhill White Horse carved into the open downland near Calne. Trace the architectural heritage endowed by wealthy 'wool' merchants in the Weavers' Cottages at Corsham and fine town houses and manors tucked away in sleepy hamlets.
Salisbury and South Wiltshire
The massive Iron Age hillfort of Old Sarum is the site of the original City of Salisbury. The fort was used by the Romans, Saxons and Normans and grew into one of the most flourishing settlements in medieval England. Present day Salisbury possesses a Cathedral with the tallest spire in England, the world's oldest working clock and one of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta. The district is also home to Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site whose true past still remains a mystery. It stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance and is surrounded by the remains of ceremonial areas - some older than the monument itself.
Swindon & North East Wiltshire
There is something for everyone to enjoy in Swindon. The fascinating history of Brunel's railway has been brought to life at STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway and the refurbished buildings of the historic railway are also home to Europe's largest covered designer outlet centre (McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Great Western) and English Heritage (National Monuments Record Centre). As well as having its own appeal, Swindon is surrounded by some beautiful countryside. The Ridgeway (Europe's oldest road) and Lydiard Park are both easily accessible and should be included in any visit to Swindon. Swindon is just 30 minutes from Bowood.
Wiltshire Activities
The great outdoors in Wiltshire is waiting to be discovered… from a gentle family stroll to an off-road cycling adventure; from a peaceful canal trip to an exhilarating horseback gallop…Wiltshire can cater for outdoor enthusiasts whatever their age or interest. With its network of quiet country lanes, footpaths and bridleways, Wiltshire offers so many opportunities for walking and cycling. If you prefer more physical pursuits you can try horse-riding, golf on our superb course or even hang-gliding…. Whatever your chosen activity, you will explore rolling hills with spectacular views, peaceful wooded river valleys and charming villages at your own pace and in harmony with the countryside.
Other Attractions
Bowood is also conveniently located close to the beautiful Cotswold’s and the famous Spa town of Bath.
