Art Holiday Travel and Vacation information for Wiltshire

"This county is situated in the province of Canterbury, in the diocese of Salisbury, and contains 29 hundreds, one city, 15 boroughs, and 10 other market-towns. On the north and west side of it lies Gloucestershire; its western boundary is Somersetshire; Dorsetshire confines its southern extremity; and Hampshire and Berkshire inclose it on the east. Its extreme length is 54 miles, and breadth 34, and its area measures about 878,000 acres. The air of Wiltshire like that of other counties, is various, according to the different parts of it, but on the whole it is agreeable and salubrious. On the downs and higher parts, it is sharp and clear; in the vallies mild, even in winter. Over the extensive wilds, called Salisbury plain, roam immense flocks of sheep, who with their shepherds, are the sole tenants, if the bustard, the wheatear, and a few other solitary birds be excepted, which avoid the haunts of men. The summer stock of sheep on these plains and downs, is computed to be 500,000. The rivers of this county are the Lower Avon; the Thames or Isis; the Cole; the Kennet; the Bourne; the Upper Avon; the Willey; and the Nadder." (From Pigot & Co's London & Provincal New Commercial Directory, 1822-3)

Plenty of interest and variety for all ages; Salisbury makes a good short break, particularly for older people Salisbury is a splendid small city for a short civilised break, with a lovely cathedral precinct and interesting places to visit tucked quite closely around it. Elsewhere, Stourhead's wonderful grounds, Wilton House and Lacock Abbey appeal strongly to much the same sort of people as Salisbury itself, as do the recently opened rather exotic gardens at Tollard Royal.

A good range of family outings in the county run from the attractively set Cholderton rare breeds farm (great fun for younger children particularly) to Longleat, which has a great deal to please all ages and tastes.The two great prehistoric stone circles, Stonehenge and Avebury, are best appreciated at quiet times of day, out of season (with Stonehenge we'd recommend one of the specially authorised Astral tours). The county has a good many other ancient sites to explore, too.The villages of Castle Combe and Lacock are exceptionally pretty, and there are attractive small towns with a good deal of character: Bradford on Avon, Devizes (its museum one of the privileged few to make the Heritage Secretary's new shortlist of excellence and national importance), Marlborough and Malmesbury. Other appealing places include Sheldon Manor at Chippenham, Bowood at Calne, Corsham Court (and the unique underground quarry nearby), Lydiard Park (a real bargain), the intriguing gardens of Hazelbury Manor at Box and the waterside ones at Middle Woodford, the unusual stone-working museum at Little Bedwyn, and the ruins of Old Wardour Castle nr Tisbury.The most attractive countryside is along the valleys of the chalk streams in the S - intimate scenery with stone or flint houses and sparkling rivers. Canal boat trips offer an alternative view of the Wiltshire countryside. The Salisbury Plain is better for driving over than walking - an almost unbroken expanse of rolling high ground, a mixture of pasture and broad unhedged arable fields intersected by tank-training tracks. The A360 gives a good feel of its emptiness. N of here the countryside, though undramatic, has some attractive drives and walks, especially around Marlborough.