Wiltshire

Wiltshire pairs cathedral cities with quiet villages set among chalk downs and river valleys. Salisbury, with its soaring spire, makes an excellent base for exploring the county, while Bradford-on-Avon offers honey-stone streets and a canalside setting that reward slow wandering. Marlborough and Malmesbury both retain the character of old market towns, the latter claiming England's oldest borough, and Chippenham and Trowbridge provide practical hubs with good transport links for those touring further afield.

For a change of pace, Avebury sits within its famous stone circle, a quieter and more atmospheric alternative to better-known prehistoric sites, and Pewsey offers a gentle base near the Vale that bears its name. Swindon brings a livelier, more urban energy with shopping and transport connections, contrasting with the small settlements of Braydon, Landford and Broad Town, where rural lanes, farmland and a genuine sense of village life prevail.

Wiltshire's spread of hotels and B&Bs runs from cathedral-close townhouses to converted farm buildings well out in the chalk downs. Salisbury has the greatest concentration, with options close enough to walk to the cathedral, while Marlborough suits those exploring the Ridgeway and nearby Avebury. Bradford-on-Avon offers a quieter, stone-built base near the Kennet and Avon Canal.

Character properties are common here: places like Priory Steps and The Chapter House trade on period features and central locations, while Overtown Manor, Highworth House and Widbrook Barns give a more rural, self-contained feel. Swindon's options tend to work well for those needing easy road or rail links rather than a scenic setting.

Farmhouse and barn conversions such as Church Farm Country Cottages and Brewery Farm House Bed & Breakfast suit longer, slower stays, whereas Websters Bed & Breakfast and Tresco House are better suited to a night or two while touring the county's stone circles, White Horses and market towns.

Wiltshire's biggest draw needs no introduction: Stonehenge sits at the heart of a county thick with ancient sites, but the days out here go well beyond the standing stones. Salisbury offers escape rooms and city-based diversions alongside its cathedral, while Swindon leans towards activity-driven outings such as off-road electric scooter tours and adventure-style days out for families.

Elsewhere the choices get more hands-on. Corsham and Malmesbury have workshops covering ceramics and candle making, good for a slower afternoon, while Pewsey and Warminster suit those after something outdoors, from woodland adventure courses to saddle club sessions. Chippenham fills in the gaps with a mix of the two.

With 87 attractions spread across the county, it's worth deciding whether you want a landmark day, an active one, or something more creative, then picking the town that fits, since Wiltshire rarely makes you choose just one.

Wiltshire's dining scene runs from cathedral-city restaurants to village pubs tucked between the county's ancient monuments. Salisbury holds the largest concentration, with everything from quick lunches to more considered evening menus, while Swindon and Trowbridge offer a good spread of chains and independents for everyday eating. Smaller towns like Devizes, Malmesbury, Corsham and Calne tend towards cafes, tea rooms and pubs with a slower, more local feel.

What suits depends on the trip. Passing through on the A303 or A4, a cafe or takeaway near the main road does the job, and places like Smile Thai Cafe & Takeaway or Biddles Cafe fit that brief. Settling in for longer, the pubs around Whiteparish and the market towns reward a bit of exploring, and options such as Pirico or Kadosh Sushi Gourmet show the range now sitting alongside traditional pub food across the county.

Wiltshire's mix of chalk downland, riverside meadows and quiet farmland makes it good country for camping and glamping, and the choice runs from simple grass pitches to shepherd's huts and camping pods. Sites such as Chelworth Fields Shepherd Huts and Totteridge Farm Camping Pods & Camping suit those after a bit more comfort, while farm campsites like Bridge Farm, Marshwood Farm Camping and Rouselands Farm Camping keep things closer to traditional tent camping.

Location tends to shape the experience. Around Marlborough and Pewsey you're close to the Downs and the Kennet and Avon Canal, useful for walkers and cyclists, while sites near Cricklade and Braydon sit nearer the Cotswold Water Park and North Wiltshire's flatter, wooded landscape. Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham offer an easier base for exploring the towns and countryside of west Wiltshire, and Chippenham and Devizes work well as central points for reaching further afield.

Smaller, family-run spots such as Southview Farm Meadow, Park Farm Campsite and Dora's Pitches tend to offer a quieter stay, whereas places like Bella's Thoroughfare and Little Thornham Holidays add extra facilities for longer breaks. Given the spread across the county, it's worth matching a site's setting to what you plan to do nearby.

Wiltshire's cottages spread across a county built around ancient landscapes and quiet market towns, giving visitors a base for exploring Stonehenge, Avebury and the chalk downs without the crowds of nearby cities. Properties like Fox Cottage, Pond Cottage and The Granary reflect the county's rural character, often converted from old farm buildings and set within walking distance of villages rather than tucked into towns.

Choice largely comes down to setting: some, such as The Farm - The Granary or Fellview Cottage, suit those wanting space and views over open countryside, while others sit closer to Swindon for easier access to transport links. Smaller hideaways like Pear Tree Cabin work well for couples, whereas larger houses such as Everest House or Oldfield give families or groups more room to spread out.