Wiltshire - 313 places to stay
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Major towns: Salisbury, Swindon, Chippenham, Trowbridge, Devizes
The landlocked county of Wiltshire is set in some of the most beautiful and unspoilt rural territory in England. It has a long history in both human and natural history terms. The name Wiltshire is taken from its original county town Wilton (the county originally being known as Wiltonshire).
Wiltshire has been a rich hunting ground for archaeologists, with findings from settlements made by Mesolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age peoples. In Avebury and Stonehenge , Wiltshire possesses two of the most famous Neolithic sites in the United Kingdom if not the world. Of the two sites Avebury is considerably the larger, consisting of a very large stone circle with two smaller ones contained within. It is the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world and also at the site is a huge man made ditch which is believed to predate the stones. Many of the stones have been removed, particularly in medieval times for building or fear of the pagan rituals that may once have taken place on the site. Today the site is probably considered more important than Stonehenge by many followers of the faiths of Paganism, Wicca, Druidry and Heathenry. The summer solstice is drawing increasingly larger and larger crowds to Avebury.
Stonehenge is, of course, better known to the tourists. The impressive stone monument dates from around 2500BC and has always been a major draw for visitors. The circular earth bank and ditch are believed to date from around 3100BC. Indeed evidence uncovered during excavations has shown that the site was constructed in numerous phases, spanning at least 3,000 years.
In more modern times Stonehenge has been the site of a very famous music festival. It has also been the site of neo-druidic rituals, with recreated druidic practices having taken place at the summer solstice since about 1905. These druidic rituals date from the Iron Age, so are far removed from the original rituals that would have taken place from much earlier cultures.
Over sixty percent of the land in Wiltshire is chalk based. This has led to the creation of another famous landmark, the Cherhill White Horse, on a hillside visible from the village of Cherhill.
Although a small county, Wiltshire offers much to the visitor. The beautiful city of Salisbury is the only city in Wiltshire and it attracts large numbers of tourists each year, many of whom will also visit nearby Stonehenge. Salisbury Cathedral is a local landmark visible from some distance as you approach the city. In 2008 it celebrated the 750th anniversary of its dedication. Many events were organised for this celebration. Salisbury is also part of Wiltshire's contribution to Hardy Country , known as Melchester in Hardy's novels.
The town of Bradford on Avon is another popular spot in Wiltshire. It has many attractions for the large number of tourists that visit each year. These include canals, shops and historic buildings. The town is Roman in origin and contains many 17th century buildings dating from the time when the growth of the town was fuelled by the wool industry.
Swindon is one of the few really urban areas of Wiltshire and also provides the only professional football team in the county. Wilton, the former county town of Wiltshire was also very important in terms of the whole kingdom of Wessex and is known to have been the capital of a section of the kingdom of Wessex. Although somewhat overshadowed by its near neighbour Salisbury, Wilton still attracts many visitors, especially to its major attraction Wilton House . Originally an Anglo Saxon town, Wilton and the surrounding areas were the scene of many important and decisive battles between King Alfred and the Danes. It is also famous for its carpets which are a product of the wool that once dominated the county economy.
Longleat is another of Wiltshire's very famous attractions. The magnificent Longleat House and Longleat Safari Park, famous for the Lions of Longleat, have been attracting numerous visitors for many years. Longleat featured on the popular BBC television programme Animal Park. Home to the eccentric 7th Marquess of Bath, Longleat House is considered to be one of the finest examples of High Elizabethan architecture left in Britain. The Safari Park houses a huge variety of animals from large to small and was the first drive through Safari Park outside of Africa.
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Destinations
- Kennet
- North Wiltshire
- The Ridgeway
- The Cotswolds
- Salisbury
- Discovering Ancient Wiltshire
- Wiltshire Ridgeway walk
Recommended Hotels See Map
- Old Manor (The) Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Swan Hotel Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Widbrook Grange Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Woolley Grange Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - The Lamb Inn Hindon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Best Western Mayfield House Hotel Malmesbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Old Bell Hotel & Restaurant (The) Malmesbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Whatley Manor Malmesbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - The Shaw Country Hotel Melksham *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Howards House Salisbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Kings Arms Hotel and Chapter House Salisbury *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Milford Hall Hotel Salisbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Pembroke Arms Hotel Salisbury *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant - Best Western Premier Blunsdon House Hotel Swindon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Pear Tree at Purton Swindon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Stanton House Hotel Swindon *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Bishopstrow House Warminster *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Holidays near Longleat Warminster *featured*
Licensed, Restaurant - Wiltshire Hotel Wootton Bassett *featured*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Parking, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities
Hotels bookable online See Map
- Best Western Leigh Park Hotel Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Georgian Lodge Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Castle Inn (The) Castle Combe *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - The Horse And Groom Inn Charlton *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Best Western Angel Hotel Chippenham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Hinton Grange Hotel Chippenham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Stanton Manor Hotel & Restaurant Chippenham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Lucknam Park Colerne *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - The Black Swan Hotel Devizes *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Ivy House Hotel Marlborough *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Beechfield House Melksham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Conigre Hotel Melksham *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Pear Tree Inn Melksham *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Best Western Red Lion Hotel Salisbury *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant - Grasmere House Hotel Salisbury *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Kings Arms Hotel Salisbury *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - The Cathedral Hotel Salisbury *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV - Alexandra House Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Campanile Swindon Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Restaurant - Cricklade Hotel and Country Club Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Pool, Gym, TennisCourt, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Jurys Inn Swindon Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant, Satellite TV, Conference Facilities - Marsh Farm Hotel Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Parking, Historic, Restaurant, Conference Facilities - Menzies Swindon Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Historic, Restaurant - Swindon Marriott Hotel Swindon *book online*
Licensed, Restaurant
More Wiltshire Hotels
Bed and Breakfast See Map
- Fairlawn House Amesbury *featured*
TV in rooms - Mandalay Guest House Amesbury *featured*
TV in rooms - The Manor - Stonehenge Amesbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Barn House B&B Box *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - White Smocks B&B Box *featured*
TV in rooms - Elbury House Bradford on Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Quince Cottage Bed and Breakfast Bradford on Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Still Meadow Bradford on Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Annex Bradford on Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Beeches Farmhouse B&B Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Great Ashley Farm Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Little Ridge Guest House Britford *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Old Joinery Calne *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Pixtons Green Chippenham *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Staddlestones Chippenham *featured*
TV in rooms - Trimnells House Colerne *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking, Disabled - Heatherly Cottage Corsham *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Mead Lodge Corsham *featured*
TV in rooms - Norbin Farm Corsham *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Pickwick Lodge Farm Corsham *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Woodlands Guest House Corsham *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Embrea Devizes *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Old Manor (The) Devizes *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Vine Cottage B&B Devizes *featured*
TV in rooms - The Old Rectory Hindon *featured*
TV in rooms - AnAs BnB Kingsdown *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Little Orchard Kingsdown *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Passford House Kingsdown *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Old Rectory Lacock *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Englewood B & B Landford *featured*
TV in rooms - New Forest Lodge Hotel Landford *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Fishermans House Marlborough *featured*
TV in rooms - Parklands Hotel & Restaurant Marlborough *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Westcourt Farm Marlborough *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Whaddon Grove House Melksham *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - St Cross Pewsey *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, Historic, Inspected, Parking - 2 Parklane Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Alabaré House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms - Cathedral View Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - City Lodge Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Edwardian Lodge Guest House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Hillside B&B Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms - Maddington House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms - Merivale House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic - Newton Farmhouse Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Old Mill Hotel Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Historic, Parking - Rokeby Guest House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Spire House Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Stratford Lodge Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Victoria Lodge Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic - Websters Salisbury *featured*
TV in rooms, Children Welcome, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking, Disabled - Overtown Manor Swindon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Portquin Guest House Swindon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - SW Bed & Breakfast Swindon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Lodge Swindon *featured*
TV in rooms - The Old Post Office Swindon *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - Cools Farm Tisbury *featured*
TV in rooms - Eastbrook Cottage Trowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Inspected, Parking - Eastbrook Cottage B&B Trowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - The Polebarn Hotel Trowbridge *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking - number twenty eight Warminster *featured*
TV in rooms, No Smoking, Historic, Parking
Pubs & Inns
- George Hotel Amesbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Castle Inn Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Tollgate Inn Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bug and Spider Pub Marsh View Hotel Calne *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - White Hart Hotel Calne *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Neeld Arms Chippenham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old House At Home Chippenham *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Lord Nelson Inn Corsham *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Northey Arms Corsham *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Old Bear Inn Cricklade *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Castle Hotel Devizes *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Green Dragon Devizes *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pelican Inn Froxfield *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Neeld Arms Grittleton *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Tollgate Inn Holt *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Grove Arms Inn Ludwell *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Horse & Groom Inn Malmesbury *featured*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Castle & Ball Hotel Marlborough *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pelican Inn Marlborough *book online*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Barleycorn Inn Marlborough *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Inn with the Well Marlborough *featured*
Food, Children Welcome, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Ship Hotel Mere *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Barford Inn Salisbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Compasses Inn Salisbury *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Legacy Rose & Crown Salisbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pelican Inn Salisbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Qudos Salisbury *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Queen's Head Salisbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Queens Head Salisbury *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Swan Inn Stoford Salisbury *featured*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - White Horse Hotel Salisbury *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Woodfalls Inn Salisbury *featured*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bell House Hotel Sutton Benger *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Goddard Arms Hotel Swindon *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Heart in Hand Swindon *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Bell Hotel Swindon *book online*
Food, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Hotel Bell Swindon *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Old Bell Inn Warminster *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Somerset Arms Warminster *book online*
Food, Historic, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
Self-Catering See Map
- Cottage in the Country *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Disabled, Pets Allowed, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Teasle Self Catering Holiday Cottage Bradford on Avon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - The Barn Loft Bradford on Avon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Great Ashley Farm Cottage Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pig Wig Cottages Bradford-on-Avon *featured*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Short Breaks, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Pig Wig Self Catering Cottages Bradford-on-Avon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Mead Cottage Castle Combe *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Peartree Serviced Apartments Salisbury *featured*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Blagrove House Swindon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bliss Apartments Swindon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Bridge House Swindon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Plaza Apartments Swindon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Roomspace Serviced Apartments - Plaza 21 Swindon *book online*
Pub Nearby, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards - Oliver's Cottage Tidworth *book online*
Pub Nearby, Garden, Open all year, Parking, Credit Cards
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