Right at the heart of the Great West Way, the touring route between London and Bristol, Wiltshire offers an astonishing variety for tourists. Days out in Wiltshire can encompass historic sites, country houses, quaint villages and tranquil countryside. And sometimes a mixture of these all in the same day!
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What To See And Do In Wiltshire
The county of Wiltshire is best known for its prehistoric monuments, collectively forming the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stonehenge and Avebury. But these are just part of a distinctive and varied landscape. The Wiltshire countryside encompasses rolling chalk hills with white horses carved into their sides, the unique environment of Salisbury Plain, the massive Savernake Forest, and the peaceful environs of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Then there is more. You’ll find stately homes with splendid gardens, villages that seem to be lost in time and, of course, the beautiful city of Salisbury. Not everything is ancient: the railways and canals are a reminder of the area’s industrial heritage. Families will find plenty of outdoor activities, and can even follow in the footsteps of Harry Potter…
These are just a few of the best days out in Wiltshire.
1. Avebury
The Avebury World Heritage Site is one of the most astonishing prehistoric sites in Britain. Not only can you walk freely among the stones of the largest stone circle in the world, but you can visit a whole range of other ancient monuments including processional routes, the West Kennet long barrow, and the enigmatic Silbury Hill.
The village of Avebury is located right inside the Neolithic complex: if you have time to spare you can also visit the manor house, museum and National Trust Visitor Centre. And enjoy lunch in a (reputedly) haunted pub.
Read more: How To Visit Avebury, Wiltshire.
2. The Wider Stonehenge Landscape
Beyond the famous stone circle lies a vast ceremonial landscape of earthworks, barrows and ancient pathways. Walking here gives a sense of Stonehenge as it might have been in Neolithic times. You’ll see the largest henge in Wiltshire, the site of Woodhenge (like Stonehenge but made of wood), and numerous burial mounds. All without the crowds…
Read more: Beyond The Crowds: The Hidden Stonehenge Landscape.
3. The Lost Village Of Imber
You’ll need to check dates for this one, but on a few days of the year you can drive across Salisbury Plain to visit the lost village of Imber. This is one of Wiltshire’s most unusual destinations, a deserted village evacuated during the Second World War and still used for military training.
A visit to Imber offers a rare glimpse into a place frozen in time: wander the empty streets, explore the church, and learn about the village’s history and the circumstances that led to its abandonment.
Read more: The Lost Village Of Imber On Salisbury Plain.
4. Old Sarum
Old Sarum was an Iron Age hillfort that was later occupied by the Normans. It was mostly abandoned when the nearby settlement of Salisbury was built, and today you can walk around the ruins of the ramparts and the Norman castle, and see the footprint of the original cathedral. The site offers panoramic views across the countryside and towards modern Salisbury (you’ll just see the tip of the cathedral in the distance).
Read more: Old Sarum: The Original City Of Salisbury.
5. Salisbury
Salisbury is a historic city with a vast wealth of attractions (you actually need more than one day to see everything that it has to offer). A highlight is Salisbury Cathedral, home to the tallest church spire in Britain and to one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. You’ll also find the largest cathedral close in the country, with several impressive ecclesiastical buildings and the Salisbury Museum, which showcases local history and archaeology (including artefacts from Stonehenge).
The town centre is full of medieval buildings, independent shops, and riverside walks.
Read more: The Best Things To Do In Salisbury.
6. Lacock And Its Abbey
Lacock is a perfectly preserved village of timber‑framed houses, medieval streets, and historic cottages. Maintained by the National Trust, it is much in demand with film makers who have set numerous period dramas here.
At the heart of the village is Lacock Abbey, a former nunnery later transformed into a country house. More recently it has been used as a filming location for some of the Harry Potter films. The abbey is also home to the Fox Talbot Museum, showcasing the work of Henry Fox Talbot, an early pioneer of photography who once lived here.
Read more: Lacock Abbey: Photography, Films, And Harry Potter.
7. Bradford On Avon
Clinging to a steep hill on the edge of the Cotswolds, Bradford on Avon is a picturesque small town with medieval architecture, industrial history, and independent shops. Explore a Saxon church, a pilgrim chapel and a medieval tithe barn, or just wander the old streets and enjoy a drink in one of the many pubs and cafés.
Situated on both the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal, Bradford on Avon is also the starting place for several waterside walks.
Read more: What To See And Do In Bradford On Avon.
8. Caen Hill Lock Flight, Devizes
Just outside Devizes are the remarkable Caen Hill Locks, a continuous flight of 16 locks on the Kennet and Avon Canal. They climb a steep 1 in 44 gradient, forming part of a longer (3 km) series of 29 locks designed to carry boats up and down the hillside. Not only are they a spectacular sight, but the side ponds form a natural reserve for plants and waterbirds.
Devizes itself is a historic market town, and home to the Wiltshire Museum.
Read more: Caen Hill Locks, Devizes: A Feat Of Georgian Engineering.
9. Swindon’s Railway History
Swindon has a rich industrial heritage, based around the Great Western Railway. Visit for the Steam Museum, which explores the town’s connection with the railway and the lives of its workers. It also has some impressive displays including some of the oldest working steam engines.
You can also see some of the former engineering buildings that have been repurposed as offices and shops (most notably in the Outlet Village), and walk around the workers’ village, purpose built for railway employees in the 1840s.
Read more: Railway History In Swindon: Steam And The GWR Works.
10. Bowood House & Gardens
Bowood House is a grand stately home set within extensive parkland designed by Capability Brown. The Georgian house is full of artworks, and the grounds feature landscaped gardens, lakeside walks, and an arboretum. Families will enjoy the adventure playground with its pirate ship and treetop walkways.
The estate also includes a separate Woodland Garden, and a hotel and golf course.
Read more: A Visit To Bowood House And Gardens.
11. Great Chalfield Manor
Close to both Lacock and Bradford on Avon, Great Chalfield Manor is a medieval manor house. It is open for guided tours, where you can see the wood panelled dining room, complete with original minstrel’s gallery. However, a large part of the attraction is the manor’s grounds, which include a moat and an Arts and Crafts style garden.
Read more: A Day At Great Chalfield Manor.
