Guide To Wiltshire: Places To Visit And Things To Do Beyond Stonehenge

The county of Wiltshire in the south of England is home to the world-famous Stonehenge, a prehistoric megalithic structure that is aligned towards the sunrise on the summer solstice and sunset on the winter solstice. Most of the region—which is primarily a rural county—lies on chalk, a kind of soft and porous limestone that is resistant to erosion; in fact, the largest area of chalk, called the Salisbury Plain, is where Stonehenge is located. Funnily enough, the local nickname for Wiltshire natives is “Moonrakers,” after a band of smugglers evaded taxes by raking the surface of a local pond to conceal their alcohol.

Besides Stonehenge, the county has many spectacular sites for enterprising visitors to see, such as the Old Sarum, Langford Lakes and the New Forest, to name a few. Here’s your guide to the top attractions and things to do in Wiltshire.

Places To Visit In Wiltshire

Lacock Abbey

Lacock Abbey is a quirky country house that has developed over the centuries around a former 13^th-century nunnery. It is also the birthplace of modern photography. Set in spacious wooded grounds with plenty of space to picnic, it is now recognisable from films like “Pride and Prejudice” and “Harry Potter.” In the early 19^th century, polymath William Henry Fox Talbot invented the photographic negative, a cornerstone in the rise of photography as both an art and a popular hobby. His achievements are celebrated in the abbey itself and in a museum of photography, which also hosts a rolling programme of photography exhibitions. Wander through enchanting medieval cloisters and explore the magnificently furnished rooms, or pop into the Stables café for a meal or a snack before heading out for a walk in the surrounding countryside.

Salisbury Cathedral

The Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome and hospitality for over 800 years. Its spire—the tallest in the country and a feat of medieval engineering—rises to a breathtaking 123 metres, guiding travellers, merchants and pilgrims to the historic city. Here, you can discover how one of only four surviving original 1215 Magna Cartas came to the building. Climb the 332 steps in easy stages up to the base of the spire with an expert guide and experience spectacular views of Salisbury from 223 feet up. In the cathedral’s Refectory restaurant, a glass roof offers stunning views of the spire above. Next door, the gift shop offers a wide range of products, from homemade chutneys to jewellery, books and traditional travel mementoes.

Langford Lakes

This nature reserve is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike, boasting a mosaic of meadows and lakes with the River Wylye winding along its edge. Immerse yourself in nature from one of three bird hides, where you can see Canada geese, tufted ducks, great-crested grebes and pochards. In the spring, the grebes' graceful courtship dances are fun to watch as they rise from the water and shake their heads in display. Throughout the winter months, shovelers and wigeons join the resident ducks and geese. If you feel peckish, savour the flavours of locally sourced food and drink at the Kingfisher Café. With stunning views over the main lake, both indoor and outdoor seating offer the perfect setting to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Westonbirt

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum, is managed by Forestry England and has one of the finest collections of temperate trees and shrubs in the world. The 600-acre arboretum is home to 3,000 different species of trees and around 15,000 individual specimens. A place of environmental and historical importance, its Victorian creator Robert Holford was fascinated by rare and beautiful plants and helped finance expeditions to collect specimens from around the world. While the place is known internationally for its spectacular autumn colour display, a visit here is recommended all year round due to the magnificent flowering trees in spring and the sculptural and bright-stemmed specimens of winter.

Old Sarum

With over 2,000 years of history to discover, as well as unrivalled views across the Wiltshire countryside, the Old Sarum is one of South England’s most significant places—William the Conqueror once hosted a great gathering here. The place has fantastic views of Salisbury and its famous cathedral, picturesque picnic spots, popular walks and Iron Age ramparts for visitors to check out. Kids can play hide and seek in the grounds, or enjoy a picnic in the heart of a once bustling medieval castle. Wooden bows and arrows are on sale to help them travel back in time, and the gift shop has a delicious range of ice creams and gifts to enjoy.

Things To Do In Wiltshire

Cycle Around The County

New Forest Cycling Tours runs a variety of guided cycle rides in Wiltshire and beyond to explore some of the county’s fascinating heritage on two wheels. Tours include “The Historical Three: Salisbury, Stonehenge and Sarum Cycle Tour,” a 30-mile circular loop encompassing the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and lots of hidden gems; “The Ancient Ridgeway and Avebury Cycling Tour,” a 27-mile tour encompassing Avebury Stone Circle, Silbury Hill the Devil’s Den and sweeping views from the ridgeway; and “The Green Man Tour” which focuses on the Marlborough Downs and the Savernake Forest.

Hike Your Way From Inn-To-Inn

Tour outfitter Foot Trails is an expert walking and hiking travel company that arranges self-guided inn-to-inn walking trips in Wiltshire and South West England. The experience provides visitors with a sense of discovery and journey, and accommodation is planned in advance at a selection of country inns on the route. Your luggage is taken ahead of you so you can relax and enjoy your hikes. Guests can choose from trips between four and 14 nights in length.

Watch A Show At The Salisbury Playhouse

The Salisbury Playhouse is one of the United Kingdom's leading production theatres, with a wide range of classic and contemporary plays, musicals, children’s theatre and pantomime presented throughout the year. There are two theatres—the Main House, seating just over 500, and the Salberg Studio, seating nearly 150. You can catch a performance of “The 39 Steps” from February 13 onwards, a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic spy thriller.

Where To Stay In Wiltshire

For a high-end stay, consider accommodation in The Manor House in Chippenham or The Whately Manor of Malmesbury. The Travelodge Chippenham and The Lamb Hotel in Salisbury offer budget-friendly stays.

How To Reach Wiltshire

Take a flight from India to any of London's airports. The north of Wiltshire and Swindon is conveniently accessible from London or Heathrow Airport by using the M4. There are regular long-distance coach services from many parts of England to Chippenham, Marlborough, Salisbury, Swindon and other Wiltshire towns operated by National Express. The railway station of London (Paddington) serves Swindon (55 minutes) and Chippenham (70 minutes) in the north of Wiltshire and Great Bedwyn (90 minutes). From London (Waterloo), the West Country trains stop at Salisbury (90 minutes) and Tisbury (103 minutes).