5 great places to caravan in Wiltshire

21/02/2022
blog / advice / holiday


Wiltshire is located in southern England and borders six different counties, including Hampshire to the south and Gloucestershire to the north. It is known for its many prehistoric monuments - in fact, it has more than any other county in England! The most famous of these include Stonehenge, West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill, as well as the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world at Avebury. 

Wiltshire is also renowned for its delicacies, the most notable being ham and Lardy Cake. The town of Calne is the birthplace of 'The Wiltshire Cure', a method for curing ham and bacon. Lardy Cake, which is made with lard, flour, sugar, spices and dried fruit, can be found at many cafes across the county.

Silbury Hill

The county has many beauty spots, with some of the villages being renowned for their beauty. Castle Combe is sometimes referred to as the "prettiest village in England" and Lacock is well known as the setting for films and TV series  Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

The county is known for its white horses, with 13 iconic figures being carved into its hillsides over the centuries. Eight Wiltshire White Horses still remain on view today, with some dating back 250 years. The horses are located at: Westbury, Cherhill, Marlborough, Alton Barnes, Hackpen, Broad Town, Pewsey and Devizes.

Other Wiltshire-based places of interest include Longleat, which became the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa when it opened in the 1960s, and Salisbury Plain, an important military training ground and wildlife haven.

5 great Wiltshire locations

Salisbury

Salisbury is the only city in Wiltshire and a beautiful one at that. It is steeped in history and packed full of fantastic eateries, boutique shops and interesting architecture. The Cathedral is one of the finest in the UK and houses one of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carter. Its spire is the tallest in England at 404 feet and the 14th century clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. There are many other historic sites to explore nearby including the National Trust site Mompesson House, the Old Sarum, and of course, Stonehenge, which is nine miles to the north. 

Warminster

Warmimster is a pretty market town with a range of attractive architecture throughout and the River Wylye to the south. A half-mile stretch of the river and three lakes make up Smallbrook Meadows nature reserve, which is run by Wiltshire Wildlife who strive to protect local wildlife and natural habitats across the county. 

Longleat safari park is located in west Warminster and is a unique family day out, offering the chance to get up close and personal with many of the big animals including lions, tigers, elephants and rhinos in the safari drive through experience, as well as many others around the park. Warminster Town Park is centrally located and great for all ages, with beautiful grounds, boating, a skate park, splash pad, children's play areas, a putting green, tennis courts, cafe and more! If you like the theatre, check out the  Athenaeum Centre, which offers a range of productions and activities throughout the year.

Swindon

Located in northern Wiltshire, Swindon is a large, busy town with lots going on. It’s great for shopping with high street shops as well as Swindon Designer Outlet, which boasts a wide range of names including BOSS, Reiss, Ted Baker, Calvin Klein and Under Armour. There are plenty of options for outdoor-based days out too, with top locations such as Coate Water Country Park, Stanton Park and Lydiard Park, a historical estate set in 260 acres of parkland. STEAM - the Museum of the Great Western Railway is worth a visit if you’re interested in this sort of thing and offers a range of special exhibitions throughout the year.

Bradford on Avon

Bradford on Avon is positioned on the banks of the River Avon, with the history of the town being traced back to Roman origins. The canal offers great walking opportunities and spotting historial canal features along the way is an added bonus! Bradford on Avon Museum is a great way to learn more about the interesting history of the town and The Peto garden at Iford Manor offers a great glimpse back in time too. There are a number of opportunities to get out on the water if you fancy it (Barbara McLellan Trip Boats and Sally Narrowboats) or you could simply go for a wander round the town, enjoying the many churches, chapels and barns in the area.

Devizes

Ranked as the number one country location in 2021 by the London Economic, who referred to the town as “the West Country’s best kept secret”, Devizes certainly has a lot to offer! Steeped in history, the town developed around Devizes Castle, an 11th-century Norman castle. Today, residents and visitors can enjoy a fantastic selection of independent shops, great eateries, a number of good walks and a range of canal-based activities.

Caen Hill is one of the longest continuous flights of locks in the country; the 29 locks have a rise of 237 feet over 2 miles, showcasing fantastic canal engineering and definitely worth a visit. Roundway Down Iron Age Hill Fort offers a great walk and stunning views whilst absorbing a bit of history. The Long Barrow at All Cannings is a great place for combining a walk with some reflection time and free open days are held at the solstices and equinoxes, which can be quite an experience for those of any faith or none.

Before you set off on your next trip - to Wiltshire or elsewhere - make sure you have all you need to make your holiday a great one! Check out our online accessory shop or pop in for a leisurely browse! We stock thousands of items so we’re sure to have what you’re after as well as many things you’ve never even thought of! We also stock a range of awnings so if you haven’t got one, keep in mind that they’re a great way of gaining more living or storage space - some could even double your footprint!

Give us a call on 01962 714 844 with any questions or pop in and see us!



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