Spectacular scenery
We are lucky to have three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the county – landscape that’s protected to preserve its own unique natural character. Our picturesque and diverse scenery offers ancient woodland, rolling hills and chalk grassland and because so much of it is protected, it’s as rich and beautiful now as it was in the past. The Ridgeway National Trail offers great opportunities for walking, cycling and horse riding in the north of the county. Whatever your preferred method for enjoying the great outdoors, you’ll be able to pursue it here.
High performing educational establishments
The area is well-served by highly performing independent and state schools, from nursery through to sixth form. This includes a grammar school system in Salisbury, as well as secondary schools across the county with specialist status. The Wiltshire GCSE performance is above the average for the South West.
There is an excellent choice of independent schools open to boarding and day pupils from ages 2 to 18, offering a wide variety of academic and co-curricular activities.
Wiltshire College and Swindon College run a broad selection of courses in subject areas including engineering, health, business and finance and the creative and performing arts, whilst Oxford Brookes University offers a number of courses from its campus in Swindon.
Historic and cultural attractions
Renowned for our iconic white horses carved into the rolling downs, history and culture seeps through every pore. The World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury Stones have a magnetism that has drawn people to them for centuries. Home to the famous Magna Carta, Salisbury Cathedral is one of the UK’s most iconic medieval buildings.
And if you like your stately homes and National Trust properties, there’s the spectacular Stourhead and Lacock Abbey, as well as Wilton House near Salisbury. Another attraction for the area is Bowood House and Gardens, set in stunning parkland and among the most unique places to visit in Wiltshire.
For the perfect family day out there is Longleat Safari Park, or if you’re looking for an adventurous short break, there’s Centre Parcs Longleat Forest.
Wiltshire is proud to have a number of beautiful buildings and villages that have been used as film sets, including Castle Combe, Lacock and Great Chalfield. Railway enthusiasts and those with an interest in the Industrial Revolution will find the heritage of Swindon fascinating.
Picturesque towns, cities and villages
Affordable house prices
The great news is that with lower housing costs than places like London and Bristol, Wiltshire offers some great accommodation options. From country cottages to family homes, to new apartments and town houses, the delightful rural surroundings mean that you are never far from fresh air and open countryside.
House prices in Swindon can be as varied as the property types or locations. Victorian and Georgian terraced houses are in the old part of the town, whilst a large house building programme in Swindon over the past few years has provided a wide range of new-build homes to buy or rent.
Travel connections
Missing the big city? Or maybe you need to meet up with family and friends elsewhere? Easily done. There are 14 train stations in Wiltshire and regular services to Paddington and Waterloo stations in London. Meanwhile the M4 motorway cuts through the northern tip of Wiltshire, offering easy access to either London, Wales or the midlands.
The cosmopolitan cities of Bristol and Southampton and the tourist meccas of Bath and Bournemouth are all within easy reach.
Our nearest airports are Bristol, Heathrow, Gatwick, Bournemouth and Southampton.
Shopping
If you are looking for a designer bargain visit MacArthur Glen, Swindon’s designer outlet village. With more than 100 designer stores, a selection of restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, this is an indulgence for shoppers of all ages, to leave with an exciting bargain and an unforgettable shopping experience.
Festivals and Events
Here’s a list of some of the many events in the area:
- The Larmer Tree Festival and the End of the Road Festival, both held in the beautiful Larmer Tree gardens – a five day family-friendly festival of music and comedy.
- The towns of Malmesbury and Devizes are brought to life with an array of events as part of their annual festivals and carnivals including the spectacular Devizes Confetti Battle
- Blue Sky festival in Corsham
- The Chalke Valley History Festival, just south of Salisbury – talks by famous historians and broadcasters, re-enactments, air shows, discussions and debates.
- The Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, a marathon canoe race held every Easter over a 125 mile long course.
- The Swindon Festival of Literature (May)
- The Stonehenge Solstice Music Festival, a small but perfectly formed festival celebrating the summer solstice in spiritual style.
- Chippenham Folk Festival (May) – four days of English traditional folk song, music and dance. A festival that’s popular with all ages! The Salisbury Museum’s annual Festival of Archaeology (usually in July)
- WOMAD iconic World Music Festival, near Malmesbury (July)
- Great British Food Festival at Westonbirt Arboretum (August)
- The Edington Music Festival near Westbury, which focusses on choral music (late August)
- Salisbury International Arts Festival, which includes talks, street entertainment, theatre, dance and music events at venues across Salisbury and south Wiltshire.
- The Swindon Railway Festival at STEAM Museum (September).
- Magic and Mayhem Festival, Corsham (November)
