2 Bedroom Wiltshire cottages

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Tucked in the south west of England, landlocked amidst six counties, with the Bristol Channel to the far west, and the English Channel in the distance to the south, Wiltshire enjoys some beautiful and varied countryside. The wide valleys and flat expanses of Salisbury Plain give way to the areas of open chalk hills and downland beyond, which are also so characteristic of southern England as a whole.

Things to do in Wiltshire
Some of the most famous archaeology in the UK is situated within Wiltshire, with internationally-renowned standing stones and earthworks to be found throughout the county. Stonehenge is one of the best known of all English landmarks, whilst the famous stone circles at Avebury, the stone age enclosure at Marden Henge, the striking chalk mound at Silbury Hill and the solemn tomb structures of West Kennet Long Barrow all go towards making the county a key location for anyone interested in prehistoric and Neolithic monuments.

High on the hillside ridges throughout the county, a number of hill- or chalk-figures catch the eye of passing travellers; white horses are a particularly popular choice, although they mostly date back to the 1800s, the highly-stylised lines of the Uffington White Horse, in neighbouring Oxfordshire, are known to be of prehistoric origin.

At Caen Hill, near Devizes, the Kennet and Avon Canal has a spectacular steep flight of 16 successive locks to assist navigational manoeuvring up the hillside. The Canal runs for 87 miles from Bristol to Reading and is actually made up of two lengths of navigable river which are linked together by a stretch of canal. Originally constructed at the end of the 18^th century, the waterway was restored at the end of the 20^th century after a period of decline and disuse. It is now a hugely popular leisure resource for boating, canoeing and fishing, as well as a well-trodden route for both walkers and cyclists. As with many such waterways, the path of the canal and the surrounding area are also of particular importance to local wildlife and conservation work.

Top Destinations

Avebury – Three stone circles are located around this picturesque village in an area of chalkland at the western end of the Berkshire Downs, and include the largest stone circle in Europe. As well as being a Scheduled Ancient Monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Avebury is owned and run by the National Trust, who further preserve its unique character and heritage from the potential ravages of commercial exploitation.

Stonehenge – Visible from the busy A303 and A344 roads, yet strangely isolated in the open rural landscape of the wide plains, it’s easy to imagine the prehistoric origins of the iconic structures at Stonehenge. Although access to the site is now restricted, it is still possible to walk around the monument at a short distance from the main structures; despite the restrictions to this internationally important site, Stonehenge continues to be a popular choice for visitors from all over the world.

Salisbury – The cathedral city of Wiltshire, Salisbury sits at the confluence of five rivers. The mediaeval structures of Salisbury Cathedral are a masterpiece of Early English architecture, with its 404 ft tall spire making it the tallest spire in the UK.

Shaftesbury – Gold Hill is perhaps the most famous street in the county, if not in England as a whole, its incredibly steep cobbled lane and quaint cottages utilised in numerous advertisements as an archetypal view of rural England. A ruined abbey and the nearby ruined walls of Old Wardour Castle are also draws for visitors to the town.

Warminster – To the south west of Salisbury Plain, this market town has recently benefited from the opening of a town bypass which has enabled Warminster to regain some of its historic, more tranquil character, although it was formally a highly prosperous centre for the wool and cloth trades and also successful as a corn market.

Marlborough – Once a place where Norman coins were minted, and the site of a fierce battle during the English Civil War, Marlborough is still a beautiful market town, with some fine buildings, including the centrally-located Merchant’s House.

Frome – Just inside Somerset, built on uneven, high ground above the River Frome, the town rests on a bed of forest marble, and several still-active limestone quarries can be found in the surrounding area, on the edges of the Mendip Hills.

Devizes – Once famous as the location of a prison, although it is a relatively small market town, Devizes boasts more than 500 listed buildings. The wide open market place is dominated by a fine market cross, which was built in 1814 to replace an earlier structure.

Trowbridge – The county town of Wiltshire, Trowbridge is located close to the Kennet and Avon Canal, the presence of which allowed the town to play a central role in both the transportation of coal from the Somerset coalfields, and in the development of the local textile industry during the late 18^th century.