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Five Places to Visit and Things to Do in Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a landlocked county bordered by Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Dorset, Somerset and Oxfordshire. It is largely rural in nature with high downland and wide valleys. The cathedral city of Salisbury is a popular tourist destination. The largest town in the county is Swindon.
There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in this beautiful county. Here are details of just five of them:
1 Stonehenge
This ancient site, around 8 miles north of Salisbury, is truly awe inspiring. Stonehenge consists of earthworks and standing stone believed to date back to 3200 BC. Mystery surrounds the exact purpose of the stone circle and the methods used to transport and erect the stones. Visitor numbers to the site are high with over 800,000 paying visitors plus many more who stay outside the perimeter fence to view the stones.
Photo Courtesy of www.aboutstonehenge.info
Since 1986 the site has been one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in a co-listing with Avebury henge monument.
2 Longleat
In 2002, the dedication over many years of the team at Longleat to providing a range of activities and attractions to suit all of the family was recognised when Longleat was Voted ‘UK Family Attraction of the Year 2002’ by the Good Britain Guide.
Longleat has continued to build on its success and visitors today can enjoy the chance to meet rhinos, lions, tigers and giraffes in the first Safari Park to open in the UK as well as looking round the stately home and gardens, taking a journey amongst sea lions on the Safari Boats, enjoying a ride on the Longleat Railway, going round in circles in the Longleat maze and giving the children a change to let off steam in the Adventure Castle.
Look out for details of the passport ticket which gives you access to the various attractions over a period of time. Good news because it would be hard to visit everything in one day.
3 Swindon & Cricklade Steam Railway
This vintage steam railway is located at the site of the station of Blunsden between Swindon and Cirencester. There are both steam trains and trains hauled by diesel. All of the work relating to the railway is undertaken by volunteers.
The railway is open to the public most weekends and public holidays. At other times, arrangements can be made for private parties to visit. Opening times are also extended during some school holidays.
Driving experiences are available for people who would like the chance to take over the controls of a steam engine.
4 Peto Gardens at Iford
Iford Manor dates back to mediaeval times. It was not until the 18th century that the classical façade were added and the hanging woodlands above the garden added.
The existing garden was added by Harold Ainsworth Peto who created the terraces in the steep hillside into which the house is built. Peto was especially influenced by the charm of old Italian gardens with broad walks, cypresses, statutes and pools. The garden incorporates features including the Loggia, the Casita, the Great Terrace and the largest of Peto’s garden buildings, the Cloisters.
In recognition of a garden outstanding both for its public and horticultural interest, The Peto Garden at Iford Manor in Wiltshire won the Historic Houses Association/Christie's 1998 Garden of the Year Award.
The garden is open during the afternoon in the summer months. Please check on the Iford Manor website for further details.
5 Splashdown Waterpark
Splashdown in Poole is fun for all the family with the Buccaneer Zone for younger children, Adventure Zone for a taste of fun, the Thrill Zone for some serious adrenaline rushes and the Relaxation Zone if you need to take time out or would prefer a dip in a spa pool to a hair-raising ride.
If you have visited Wiltshire or live in the county, please let us know if we have missed out your favourite places to visit or things to do in Wiltshire. You can contact us by email at Local Service Guide Email or on 01962 889460.
For further information on Wiltshire click on the links below:
Restaurants in Wiltshire
Things to Do in Wiltshire
Bed and Breakfasts in Wiltshire
Hotels in Wiltshire
© Local Service Guide Limited 2007 Places to Visit and Things to Do in Wiltshire, England
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There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in this beautiful county. Here are details of just five of them:
1 Stonehenge
This ancient site, around 8 miles north of Salisbury, is truly awe inspiring. Stonehenge consists of earthworks and standing stone believed to date back to 3200 BC. Mystery surrounds the exact purpose of the stone circle and the methods used to transport and erect the stones. Visitor numbers to the site are high with over 800,000 paying visitors plus many more who stay outside the perimeter fence to view the stones.
Photo Courtesy of www.aboutstonehenge.info
Since 1986 the site has been one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in a co-listing with Avebury henge monument.
2 Longleat
In 2002, the dedication over many years of the team at Longleat to providing a range of activities and attractions to suit all of the family was recognised when Longleat was Voted ‘UK Family Attraction of the Year 2002’ by the Good Britain Guide.
Longleat has continued to build on its success and visitors today can enjoy the chance to meet rhinos, lions, tigers and giraffes in the first Safari Park to open in the UK as well as looking round the stately home and gardens, taking a journey amongst sea lions on the Safari Boats, enjoying a ride on the Longleat Railway, going round in circles in the Longleat maze and giving the children a change to let off steam in the Adventure Castle.
Look out for details of the passport ticket which gives you access to the various attractions over a period of time. Good news because it would be hard to visit everything in one day.
3 Swindon & Cricklade Steam Railway
This vintage steam railway is located at the site of the station of Blunsden between Swindon and Cirencester. There are both steam trains and trains hauled by diesel. All of the work relating to the railway is undertaken by volunteers.
The railway is open to the public most weekends and public holidays. At other times, arrangements can be made for private parties to visit. Opening times are also extended during some school holidays.
Driving experiences are available for people who would like the chance to take over the controls of a steam engine.
4 Peto Gardens at Iford
Iford Manor dates back to mediaeval times. It was not until the 18th century that the classical façade were added and the hanging woodlands above the garden added.
The existing garden was added by Harold Ainsworth Peto who created the terraces in the steep hillside into which the house is built. Peto was especially influenced by the charm of old Italian gardens with broad walks, cypresses, statutes and pools. The garden incorporates features including the Loggia, the Casita, the Great Terrace and the largest of Peto’s garden buildings, the Cloisters.
In recognition of a garden outstanding both for its public and horticultural interest, The Peto Garden at Iford Manor in Wiltshire won the Historic Houses Association/Christie's 1998 Garden of the Year Award.
The garden is open during the afternoon in the summer months. Please check on the Iford Manor website for further details.
5 Splashdown Waterpark
Splashdown in Poole is fun for all the family with the Buccaneer Zone for younger children, Adventure Zone for a taste of fun, the Thrill Zone for some serious adrenaline rushes and the Relaxation Zone if you need to take time out or would prefer a dip in a spa pool to a hair-raising ride.
If you have visited Wiltshire or live in the county, please let us know if we have missed out your favourite places to visit or things to do in Wiltshire. You can contact us by email at Local Service Guide Email or on 01962 889460.
For further information on Wiltshire click on the links below:
Restaurants in Wiltshire
Things to Do in Wiltshire
Bed and Breakfasts in Wiltshire
Hotels in Wiltshire
© Local Service Guide Limited 2007 Places to Visit and Things to Do in Wiltshire, England