Top Things to do in Wiltshire
Top Hotels in Wiltshire
The 10 Best Things to do in Wiltshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Wiltshire, United Kingdom including Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta, The Ridgeway National Trail, Stourhead House and Garden, Longleat, STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Coate Water Country Park, Amesbury History Centre, Longleat House, Stonehenge public footpath, Stonehenge.
Restaurants in Wiltshire
1. Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,642 reviews
Prepare to be amazed by one of the finest cathedrals in the UK, home to Britain’s tallest spire and largest cathedral close and cloisters. Our original 1215 Magna Carta is the best-preserved copy in existence and our 14th century clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. We suggest 1.5 – 3 hours for your visit, but you can see most highlights in 45 minutes if you are pressed for time. You can enjoy delicious snacks and meals prepared freshly on-site in our Refectory Restaurant and browse our unique range of souvenirs in our Gift Shop. 10-minute walk from Salisbury Train Station | 20-minute drive from Stonehenge| 1.5 hours from London. Tickets must be booked online. There is no charge, but please support our work by giving a donation.
Reviewed By TroutQ - London, United Kingdom
What a great day out! I went mainly to see the Magna Carta but was surprised to discover a fantastic art and sculpture collection. The highlights for me being a sculpture by Anthony Gormley, the amazing font and a magnificent tapestry by Grayson Perry, the worlds oldest working clock and of course the Magna Carta. All the staff inside the Cathedral were helpful and friendly but Rob stood out as a fantastic curator. Thanks Rob for taking us back into the Cathedral to view the rear of the tapestry which we hadn't spotted. Oh and of course its a beautiful cathedral.....
2. The Ridgeway National Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
One of thirteen National Trails in England, this 85-mile recreation route takes visitors through some of the most scenic landscape in the country which passes or crosses many important archaeological and wildlife sites along the way.
Reviewed By Enkanear - Seattle, United States
A delightful autumn walk on the Ridgeway National Trail I walked the entire Ridgeway National Trail in England from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring (87 miles, 140 km) over 7 ½ days in the autumn of 2019. I carried a 20 lb pack, wore MerrelI low-cut hiking boots, used one walking stick (mostly to fend off dogs), and carried the map pages from the Trailblazer guide. I was lucky, the weather was especially nice with only a couple of hours of rain. Overall, the Ridgeway is a great walk, especially the sections along the River Thames and Grim’s Ditch. The only negative is that motorcycles and automobiles are allowed on some sections of the western half of the Ridgeway, making for clouds of dust. The most helpful thing I can do for readers planning this long-distance walk is to recommend places to stay. The night before I started the walk, I stayed at Dorwyn B&B just outside Avebury. One of the best B&Bs I have experienced. Very well-run and the nice family gave me a ride to Overton Hill in the morning. After 16 km, I stayed at the Inn with a Well (really does have an ancient well under glass in the lobby) in Osbourne St. George. Good food, nice hosts, but right next to the busy A346. Another 14 km and I arrived at an exemplary B&B/hotel, the Royal Oak in Bishopston. The room in a new building was very comfortable, and the food (especially the pork) from their own farm was great. A nice walk of 16 km and I’m at the Greyhound Inn at Letcombe Regis. A bit of a long steep trek down off the ridge from Segsbury Camp into LR, but the reward is another friendly B&B/hotel. Great service, real ale and food, with offers of rides to and from the property by Christina. I met friends there and, thankfully, the next morning we drove up to the Ridgeway and walked together for a couple of hours. This was a full day of walking 24 km to the Streatley YHA property. Horizontal rain during the last hour got me soaked, so I took refuge at a golf course club house, where a gentleman bought me a beer. The hostel is basic, inexpensive, clean and close to the shops of Goring-on-Thames. A wonderful, level, scenic walk of another 24 km brought me to Watlington. My choice of an Airbnb unit here was not satisfactory, so you are on your own. This disappointment was more than made up for after an 18 km walk to the Ridgeway Lodge right on the trail and just shy of Princes Risborough. This is a fabulous property with great rooms (ask for the upstairs room), views, and a comfortable, separate high-tech common space for guests which includes cooking facilities. The incredibly hospitable hosts that provided tea and cake upon arrival and a full English breakfast are also willing to drive you to the M&S shop in PR for dinner supplies. I can’t praise the Ridgeway Lodge enough. I want to stay there again as soon as I can. Now, here is how you set up the final and steepest day without a pack using a two-night stay. From PR I walked 20 km to Wiggington, was picked up by my nice Airbnb hosts (‘Aldbury room with a view’), driven to the local M&S for supplies, enjoyed a clean quiet room and nice breakfast, was driven back to Wiggington in the morning without pack, and finished the last somewhat challenging 10 km atop Ivinghoe Beacon. I walked back to Tring station and was picked up again by my helpful hosts. I then enjoyed a jovial dinner with them, another fine breakfast, and was driven back to Tring station for a mid-morning train to London. This walk was done in style, thanks to the gracious English people! What a great adventure. Highly recommended. This is my 8th long-distance walk in Europe. I’m 71 years old. If I can do it, you can do it.
3. Stourhead House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,507 reviews
Stourhead includes a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. The garden is perhaps the most beautiful and magical of all the great landscape gardens, Stourhead is an 18th-century view of an Arcadian paradise. On a plateau of high ground Stourhead house was built and became home to generations of the Hoare family.
Reviewed By Jeff1903 - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
There is a mansion in the Palladian style, gardens and extensive grounds. Admission is a touch expensive, but the chances are that you are already a National Trust member, but if you are not, it's worth considering especially as it will also save you £4 parking charges. I thought the house was fascinating, but excessively adorned and it gives the impression that quantity was more important than quality when bringing back stuff from the Grand Tour. However there are some gems like a John Piper painting and a Fredrick Leighton portrait. The grounds are magnificent and you are forever coming across temples or follies among the specimen trees and other plants as you walk round the lake. Picnics seem popular and the ice house is the best preserved I can remember seeing. Add in the gardens, shop, café and gallery and there is enough to do here for a whole day. Bear in mind that there is a good deal of walking, much of it up and down steep paths, so it could be a challenge for some and either wait for good weather or bring your waterproofs.
4. Longleat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,728 reviews
Reviewed By Speckycatlady - Cardiff, United Kingdom
With endless attractions, you need at least one full day to visit Longleat and explore,. The Safari is great fun and the free Safari app provides an informative commentary while viewing the animals - make sure to unscrew your aerial before you visit the monkey enclosure! We spent at least an hour driving around the safari. Enjoy a boat trip to feed the sealions, handle some exotic creatures in the Jungle Kingdom, pet some farm animals in the petting farm, feed nectar to the lorikeets and experience the bat cave. Longleat country house is beautiful to explore, as are the grounds. Round off the day with food at one of the many food establishments on site, and take a train ride around the outskirts of the park before leaving.
5. STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,512 reviews
Reviewed By titanicjoyrider - Bracknell, United Kingdom
This museum is a must for any steam heads or fans of railways and locomotives! Situated in the old GWR works in Swindon, right next to the new outlet shopping centre it is perfectly located for ease of access! The museum is full of exhibits and hands on activities that charts the history of the GWR and the role of Swindon in the railways from inception up to the present day! Information is clearly displayed and presented in an easily digested format that gives you just enough to come away having learned something, but not too much that you loose interest. However, what most people will come for are the static exhibits and trains themselves, of which there are plenty to look at! From small practical tank engines to the more famous crack express trains the museum houses them all in context surrounded by authentic paraphernalia from the period in question! Of particular note are the King Class: George V and City Class: City of Truro (first train to do 100mph) our of which are on loan from the National Railway Museum! Highlights and plus points: Excellent attractions Loads to see and do Family friendly Accessible to all Trains galore Perfect for anyone Near to the shops Negative points: Not enough time in the day to see everything! Overall highly recommended, it’s a must see and do and you will not be disappointed!
6. Coate Water Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 626 reviews
Reviewed By 71flojo - Newbury, United Kingdom
Large lake to walk around, going through woody areas so nice & cool on a hot day plus large open grass areas suitable for picnics. Theres a small cafe & toilets which are open plus a play park but that's closed at the moment. Plenty of swans, geese & ducks to feed. Popular with dog walkers & cyclists. Theres a large car park which has an overflow area on a field for busy times & costs £1 for 2 hours. Great place for families with small children.
7. Amesbury History Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REBUILD! The Amesbury History Centre is the place to visit to find out all you need to know about the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Britain; as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. The Centre, though small, is superbly laid out allowing locals and tourists alike to learn the story behind Amesbury’s unique heritage, its connections to Stonehenge and the origins of its rise to military importance.
8. Longleat House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By NikkiJS76 - Bristol, United Kingdom
We went to longleat over the weekend where they had some hot air balloon event, the weather stayed dry, the safari was good fun, the house was massive as a family we loved to explore and find interesting facts. A lovely day out.... the food was quite average in cost, £6£7 for hotdog and chips or burgers but just very basic. Think its cheaper if you buy tickets online think it was £135 for a family of 5 but it was well worth it.
9. Stonehenge public footpath
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 191 reviews
Reviewed By katie_travel_boost - Harbin, China
Take the public footpath (there are loads of walks in the area, but the quickest route to the stones is from Larkhill) to get almost as good a view as the paying visitors! You can also see some other interesting sites along the way, e.g. some burial mounds - read up on the history and info online before you go so you know what to look out for :)
10. Stonehenge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 14,218 reviews
One of the most important survivals of prehistoric England, Stonehenge consists of a group of huge rough-cut stones, some more than 20 feet high, arranged in two concentric circles.
Reviewed By 331buffyb
Excellent Visitors Centre. Well laid out, informative, friendly and helpful staff (which bearing in mind the sheer number of tourists they are dealing with is a miracle!) Really enjoyed seeing this finally and an excellent audio guide which our 9 year old also enjoyed. Numbers of people slightly annoying from time to time but what can you do.... that's life. highly recommended.
