Nestled within the gorgeous English countryside, Wiltshire is a stunning county to explore whilst exploring the UK. Best of all, it’s within easy reach of the Roman city of Bath or even from London, too. So, to help you find the best places in Wiltshire to visit, I wanted to share some of our favourite spots that we love.
You see, Wiltshire is not only totally stunning but it also has some of the world’s most iconic historic spots to see. It’s the kind of place that’s filled to the brim with thousands of years of history, quirky spots and gorgeous towns and villages to boot.
Now, we’ve always found it easier to explore Wiltshire as part of a roadtrip. This way, you can get to some of the smaller, lesser-connected, spots that are totally idyllic. That being said, if you don’t drive you can easily hop on a train or bus to some of Wiltshire’s best places.
Take a look, below, at the best places in Wiltshire to visit. Have an amazing time exploring!
1.) Lacock
Just like Castle Combe, Lacock is one of the smaller (but totally gorgeous) villages you can’t miss in Wiltshire.
Over the centuries, Lacock hasn’t changed at all. It’s as if time has stood still and feels like you’ve gone right back to the 1600s!
As you wander Lacock. Pop to grab an afternoon tea at King Johns Hunting Lodge. Their tea garden is everything! Also, be sure to visit the Manger Barn and stop by Lacock Abbey, too.
As Lacock is so small, you don’t really need to worry about getting lost. So, let the streets take you around and wander till your heart’s content.
You can easily spend a short afternoon here. We love it.
Read more: A day exploring Lacock
2.) Marlborough
Nestled within North Wessex Downs in Wiltshire, Marlborough is a gorgeous little market town that’s lovely to visit. It’s the kind of town that’s perfect for a little afternoon stroll and well worth spending a few hours traversing the quaint streets.
After arriving, be sure to visit the historic Merchant’s House that dates all the way back from the 1600s. Today, you can take a gander inside the restored silk merchant’s abode and have a good nosey at what life would have been like.
Tucked away, it’s pretty easy to miss, so make sure to look out for it when walking High Street.
Afterwards, book a table at Rick Stein’s for a delicious evening treat. Yes, it can be pricier than most other spots in the town but the food is so good.
Oh, and don’t forget, you can easily visit the Neolithic ruins at West Kennet Long Barrow which’s pretty close by. It’s totally amazing to see something that’s thousands of years old.
Plus, if you fancy a stroll through the nearby woodland trails, head over to Savernake Forest.
Read more: Best cities in England to visit
3.) Salisbury
Salisbury is certainly up there as one of my favourite cities in England, especially with all its history. Trust me, once you arrive you’ll quickly see what I mean.
After arriving, the first port-of-call has to be Salisbury Cathedral. It’s easily one of the finest in all of England and towers over the city itself.
Not only that, one of the best-preserved copies of the Magna Carta, from 1215 is inside; and you can see it! Although photos aren’t allowed of the Magna Carta itself, you can walk through and see the protected text that’s so epic to see. Plus, you might even spot the oldest working clock in the world (just off the nave area).
Looking for more? head across to some of Salisbury’s other iconic spots like; Mompesson House, Museums, Arundells and Wilton House, too.
Finally, as you leave Salisbury, you’ll be able to hop over to see Old Sarum. It’s an Iron-age hillfort that’s been occupied for thousands of years.
Read more: Best things to do in Salisbury
4.) Castle Combe
Possibly my favourite spot in all of Wiltshire (shhh, don’t tell the others), Castle Combe is history and quaint little village to visit. Honestly, it looks like some that have fallen right out of a movie set!
With thousands of years of history, Castle Combe has long been established as a settlement that’s great to explore today. As you wander the main street, be sure to pop in the Castle Inn for a tipple and spot the medieval Market Cross (where traders once used).
Afterwards, take a gander at Castle Combe Church and spot the iconic Water Lane street. It’s so picturesque.
Fancy staying longer? Book a room at The Manor House. A gorgeous period property that’s so cosy and inviting. We love it.
Read more: Our visit to Castle Combe
5.) Avebury
Although pretty small and cosy, Avebury is a village that’s packed-full with history.
With the National Trust Museum (with lovely gardens), the iconic Avebury Manor before popping into the family-run cafes on the main street.
Don’t forget to explore the Stone Circle which dates back to the Neolithic times (between 2500 to 2000 BC). It’s considered to be the biggest in all the continent and sometimes forgotten in lieu of visiting Stonehenge.
Talking of Stonehenge, from Avebury you can also visit Silbury Hill (just outside the village). The chalk mound is part of the wider Stonehenge complex and a UNESCO-protected manmade mound that’s said to be the largest in the world.
Read more: Prettiest places in England to visit
6.) Stonehenge
Easily one of the best places in Wilshire to visit, Stonehenge is known the world over for its iconic history.
Dating back thousands of years, the stones are incredible to walk around and visit, especially on a sunny day. That being said, it can get pretty busy at certain times of the day. If you want to avoid the majority of the crowds visit first thing in the morning or just before closing time.
We always head across just before closing and you almost have the circle to yourself!
Finally, during certain days, Stonehenge operates tours within the stone circle itself. These operate before the site officially opens and need to be booked on the English Heritage website.
Read more: Best places to explore in the South of England
7.) Coate Water Country Park
Not too far from nearby Swindon (and technically not Wiltshire), Coate Water Country Park is one of the best spots to visit to chill.
It is a large country park perfect for a picnic and to walk around you can also find a play area for kids and the park offers some of the amazing views to sit and relax.
Take some time to walk around Coate Water which’s right on the fringes of Wiltshire and too easy to visit as you’re road tripping through England.
Read more: Best spots for a road trip in Britain
8.) Stourhead
Nestled within the gorgeous countryside, Stourhead is one of the best places in Wiltshire to visit in the western fringes of the county.
With a vast garden area to explore Stourhead garden is an idyllic 18th-century landscaped garden that’s just too good to miss.
As you wander the trails and paths, be sure to stop off at the Temple Of Apollo, see the Gothic Cottage and Grotto and explore the wider Pantheon, too.
Plus, you’ve got the gorgeous house to see, too!
Afterwards, if you’ve got time, pop over to King Alfred’s Tower (that’s technically just over the border in Somerset. It’s a great place for 360-degree views and was initially erected as part of the wider Stourhead Estate.
9.) Iford Manor Gardens
Not too far from the city of Bath, Ilford Manor Gardens is well worth a gander whilst driving from Bath to Salisbury.
Historically, this beautiful garden was built by the architect Harold Peto and is now open for us all to enjoy and explore. On a sunny day, it feels like you’re walking through the Tuscan countryside garden and it’s totally beautiful.
A visit to Iford Manor Gardens will likely take around 1-2 hours. This means it’s a perfect stopping point to stretch your legs.
Read more: Best things to do in Bath
10.) Cranborne Chase
Overlapping a few different counties, Cranborne Chase is totally easy to visit as you drive east towards Southampton.
Whilst in the area, be sure to explore the ruins of Old Wardour Castle that dates all the way back to the 1300s. It’s pretty epic to see and not too far from Shaftesbury (just across the border).
Also, it’s pretty easy to visit the Elizabethan mansion of Longleat House. It’s in the north of Cranborne Chase and totally iconic to visit. They even have their own drive-through safari park, too.
11.) Bradford-on-Avon
Right on the western fringes, Bradford-on-Avon is one of the best places in Wiltshire to visit for a half-day trip.
Once here, take a gander inside the cosy Bradford on Avon Museum. Yes, it’s small but size isn’t everything when it comes to museums. This place is packed full of exhibits to see.
Afterwards, head over to the medical Tithe Barn for a little wander. It’s considered one of the largest surviving medieval barns in all of England.
Also, for a fantastic lunch, book a table at The Bunch Of Grapes. It’s got a lovely menu of classic British favourites. Their sticky toffee pudding is everything.
12.) Cherhill White Horse
One of the oldest white horses in Wiltshire, the Cherhill White Horse is pretty iconic to see. Said to have been created in the 1700s, it’s one of the best places in Wiltshire to see some of the counties unique history.
It’s really easy to visit from the Calstone and Cherhill Downs and not too far from Lacock. This means it’s really easy to visit after spending some time in the village.
Read more: Prettiest places in England to visit
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