Things to do & places to visit in Wiltshire, United Kingdom

Wiltshire #26 destination in United Kingdom 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 53.0k traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Europe/London, current date and time: Monday, May 06, 2024, 0:26.

Top things to do (17)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (658 reviews)
- Hands-on local aviation history.
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums

Whether you're a serious aviation enthusiast or a kid who wants to sit in fast jet cockpits, this is for you! Please note - We are at Old Sarum Airfield - NOT at the Boscombe Down airfield. See more..
5.0 Wadworth Brewery (580 reviews)
- Superb Wadworth Brewery Tour with Kevin
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Breweries

Wadworth is a proud independent family regional brewer and pub company established in 1875. We're passionate about real brewing, real pubs and real people. Our brewery is steeped in history and heritage and we combine traditional skills with a modern outlook. The brewery tap & shop is adjacent to the brewery in Devizes and is open to pop in to enjoy a beer, join in an ale trail around town, browse the merchandise and soak up the history from the memorabilia. Check out opening times on our website. The online shop is always open to shop beers, clothing and homewares. We have over 150 pubs throughout the South-West, from destination food pubs, to locals in the heart of the community and many with accommodation. We can't wait to welcome you in soon! See more..
5.0 Forest Falconry (231 reviews)
- Birds eye view
Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

A totally hands on adventure! Forest Falconry is based on our exclusive woodland site, home to a variety of Birds of Prey including Eagles, Owls, Hawks and Falcons. We aim to make your day with us truly memorable in a fun but informative way, with plenty of ‘hands on’ experience, as you help train and fly these majestic creatures. 'Half day' and 'Full day adventures' available to book on our website. Gift vouchers are also available to purchase for that special person. See more..
5.0 Rainbow Walk (106 reviews)
- Judy Garland Loved A Rainbow!
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

A trip to Swindon’s Rainbow Walk is a must, You definately have to get you picture taken at the steps. Its so wonderful and lovely to have these little things that help the LGBT+ Community feel included, that someone ‘gets’ it. They might just be steps to some people, but sparking debate & talking about their meaning & how we can become a more inclusive community makes it all worth while See more..
5.0 Boscombe Down Aviation Collection (658 reviews)
- Hands-on local aviation history.
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums

Whether you're a serious aviation enthusiast or a kid who wants to sit in fast jet cockpits, this is for you! Please note - We are at Old Sarum Airfield - NOT at the Boscombe Down airfield. See more..
5.0 Wadworth Brewery (580 reviews)
- Superb Wadworth Brewery Tour with Kevin
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Breweries

Wadworth is a proud independent family regional brewer and pub company established in 1875. We're passionate about real brewing, real pubs and real people. Our brewery is steeped in history and heritage and we combine traditional skills with a modern outlook. The brewery tap & shop is adjacent to the brewery in Devizes and is open to pop in to enjoy a beer, join in an ale trail around town, browse the merchandise and soak up the history from the memorabilia. Check out opening times on our website. The online shop is always open to shop beers, clothing and homewares. We have over 150 pubs throughout the South-West, from destination food pubs, to locals in the heart of the community and many with accommodation. We can't wait to welcome you in soon! See more..
4.5 Longleat (9.368 reviews)
- Excellent trip out
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens

Whilst we have visited Longleat before, this trip was booked primarily to see the Festival of Lights. Upon booking with our Tesco Clubcard vouchers, we were given a safari arrival time slot of between 10am-12pm & arrived at 10.50am. Not really thinking, we were advised that we couldn’t go to the safari in my soft top car so would need to use the safari bus which in hindsight was a far better experience than driving ourselves. The driver Dave was extremely knowledgeable and very funny and helped make the 2 hour safari into a memorable experience. Full of facts and able to spot animals that we probably wouldn’t have done, this was absolutely worth the £24 price of the tickets. We also visited the other attractions and the guys on the Jungle Cruise also kept us entertained. The Festival of Lights were great and whilst I wouldn’t have paid £140.00 for our day out, to have been able to use our vouchers made it an enjoyable day. This will probably be our last visit as it was apparent that our 12 year old was at the top of the age range for the experiences we encountered. See more..
4.5 Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta (6.890 reviews)
- Peaceful and interesting place to visit.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Churches & Cathedrals

Prepare to be amazed by one of the finest cathedrals in the UK, home to Britain’s tallest spire and largest cathedral close and cloisters. Our original 1215 Magna Carta is the best-preserved copy in existence and our 14th century clock is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. We suggest 1.5 – 3 hours for your visit, but you can see most highlights in 45 minutes if you are pressed for time. You can enjoy delicious snacks and meals prepared freshly on-site in our Refectory Restaurant and browse our unique range of souvenirs in our Gift Shop. 10-minute walk from Salisbury Train Station | 20-minute drive from Stonehenge| 1.5 hours from London. We recommend you book your tickets in advance online to avoid disappointment (pre-booking also saves you £1!) See more..
4.5 Stourhead House and Garden (2.643 reviews)
- A wonderful festive evening at Stourhead
Monday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens • Scenic Walking Areas

Stourhead includes a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. The garden is perhaps the most beautiful and magical of all the great landscape gardens, Stourhead is an 18th-century view of an Arcadian paradise. On a plateau of high ground Stourhead house was built and became home to generations of the Hoare family. See more..
4.5 Avebury Stone Circle (2.387 reviews)
- Well worth a visit
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Mysterious Sites

This mysterious stone circle is thought to have been constructed in Neolithic times between 2500 to 2000 BC by The Beaker people, who might have played a major role in the formation of another eerie ancient site at Stonehenge. See more..
4.5 Lacock Abbey (1.614 reviews)
- Beautiful Abbey/Cloisters -- but not much to see.
Monday: 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Country house with monastic roots, once home to William Henry Fox Talbot The Abbey, located at the heart of the village within its own woodland grounds, is a quirky country house of various architectural styles, built upon the foundations of a former nunnery. Visitors can experience the atmosphere of the medieval rooms and cloister court, giving a sense of the Abbey's monastic past. The museum celebrates the achievements of former Lacock resident, William Henry Fox Talbot, famous for his contributions to the invention of photography. See more..
4.5 STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway (1.580 reviews)
- A gem that's not to be missed.
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Historic Sites • History Museums

Get up close to magnificent locomotives, try out the interactive GWR Signal Box and drive the steam train simulator as you travel through our story-telling displays! STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on the Great Western Railway - a railway network that, through the pioneering vision and genius of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was regarded as the most advanced in the world. Our museum is housed in a beautifully restored Grade II railway building in the heart of the former Swindon railway works. See more..
4.5 Wyvern Theatre (1.361 reviews)
- Great afternoon at the matinee performance.
Monday: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Theaters

We are the Wyvern Theatre in Swindon. A 635 seat venue hosting musicals, comedy, plays and gigs. See more..
4.5 Lydiard Park (1.099 reviews)
- Really good
Monday: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM Historic Sites

Lydiard Park is a beautiful historic estate on the western edge of Swindon, with the Palladian House, Church and Walled Garden, set in 260 acres of parkland. The children's play area, Cafe & Tea Rooms, events and education programmes make Lydiard Park a great destination for a family day out. See more..
4.5 Caen Hill Locks (1.085 reviews)
- Impressive set of Locks - steep terrain
Monday: Points of Interest & Landmarks

Visited the Locks on a Saturday evening after quite a walk down the tow path along the canal. The locks were impressive although there was a lack of signage other than at the top or bottom so we would expect children to struggle to stay interested between the top and bottom which is quite a walk (and quite a hill!). There is a car park near the top which we didn't use and a cafe which was closed when we visited so cannot comment on. Best view of the locks was at the bottom so the walk back to the car would be a steep one. See more..
4.5 Avebury Manor (679 reviews)
- different
Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

this is national trust property so if you are not a member they will charge you to get in. It is by timed ticket which can be got at the entrance. The house is interesting as each room is done in a different style of history, and unlike a lot of places you can sit in the chairs, lay on the bed and look in drawers. also worth visiting the museums to see about the stone circles See more..
4.5 Coate Water Country Park (649 reviews)
- Lovely park
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Bodies of Water • Nature & Wildlife Areas

Normally I avoid lakes like the plauge due to my time working as a submarine chef and due to my old age, my balance isn't what it used to be so I have the ghastly fear that I will fall in. However, this is a beautiful park and I come here often with my wife Sybil to feed the ducks. Thanks to my time as a vetinary chef (I am 91 years old, I have been every type of chef), I know how to prepare gourmet duck food. It is safer to eat for the ducks and provides adequate nutrition, unlike bread. Bread is actually terrible for ducks as it has no valuable nutrition and makes them feel full. As a result, they will not look for food and may become malnourished. I enjoyed riding the minature train as it made me think of my brief stint as a railway chef. I wish I could go back to those days, but until I've finished building my time machine (I am now a scientist) they will remain nothing but sweet memories. See more..
4.5 Mompesson House (616 reviews)
- Interesting house to visit, must prebook.
Historic Sites

I booked a ticket for Mompesson House on a whim the day before I was due to visit Salisbury and I am glad I did. I visited on a very hot 9th of August and due to the timed ticketing in place I had to wait outside, due to the heat this was a bit warm though on a cooler day this would not be a problem. Our guide who gave us an introduction to the house was knowledgeable though I did not catch his name equally the staff inside the house were happy to chat and share their knowledge. There is a little second hand bookshop and toilets but no café inside. Well worth a visit especially if you are a National Trust member - the house is run by them. See more..
4.5 The Close (552 reviews)
- Peaceful views everywhere
Historic Sites

We greatly enjoyed our daily walks to and from the cathedral (singing there for the weekend). And we also saw a Bentley and 3 Porsches parked in their marked bays - must say something about what it costs to live there. We got the views for free!! See more..
4.5 The Salisbury Museum (477 reviews)
- So much to see and well worth a visit
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours History Museums

The Salisbury Museum tells the story of a unique landscape which has been the cradle of continuous human achievement for over half a million years. The main strength of the museum rests in its archaeological collections with prehistoric material from South Wiltshire, including Stonehenge; the Pitt Rivers’ Wessex collection; and a fine medieval collection including finds from Old Sarum, Clarendon Palace and the city itself. Discover the Amesbury Archer whose early Bronze Age grave dates back to around 2,300BC and contained the richest array of items ever found from this period. Or meet the Salisbury Giant who stands 12ft tall and has survived since the medieval period. Based in the King’s House, a Grade I listed building located opposite Salisbury Cathedral, the museum building formerly housed a teacher training college and was the inspiration for an episode in Thomas Hardy’s novel Jude the Obscure. See more..
4.5 Wilton House (419 reviews)
- Informative tour
Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM Historic Sites

We visited Wilton House under the booked 45 minute guided tour option & it was well worth it. Our tour was more like 1hr 30mins with a very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. It was a pleasure to walk through the rooms and be able to take in the furniture and art without crowds of people. Ideally we would have spent longer examining some of the exhibits but in the circumstances we thought the tour was good value. We had a very good sandwich lunch in the cafe and an enjoyable walk through the grounds. See more..
4.5 Wiltshire Museum (386 reviews)
- Lots to see
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Art Museums • History Museums

The Museum tells 500,000 years of Wiltshire's story told in award-winning galleries featuring high quality graphics and leading-edge reconstructions. * Gold from the time of Stonehenge- On display for the first time are dozens of spectacular treasures dating to the time of Stonehenge and worn by people who worshiped inside the stone circle. * Lots for children too- Follow Archie and Ollie on a gallery trail, build Stonehenge, examine the evidence under a microscope and try on Bronze Age clothes. * Saxon Wiltshire - the Making of the Kingdom of Wessex. New gallery featuring spectacular finds from pagan Saxon burials and evidence of the beginnings of Christianity in Wiltshire. * The Devizes Story - telling the fascinating story of our town - Devizes Castle, the Civil War Battle of Roundway and the bustling Georgian market town. See more..
4.5 Old Wardour Castle (381 reviews)
- Very relaxed atmosphere
Monday: Historic Sites • Castles

Set in the peaceful Wiltshire countryside beside a lake, Old Wardour Castle, near Tisbury was once one of the most daring and innovative homes in Britain. It was built in the 14th century as a lightly fortified luxury residence for comfortable living and lavish entertainment. Today the castle ruin provides a relaxed, romantic day out for couples, families and budding historians alike. See more..
4.5 West Kennet Long Barrow (376 reviews)
- Pre-Historic Tomb
Monday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

On a warm and sunny day I hiked from Avebury to this superb long barrow (30 mins or so) which is on the top of a hill. I had the place all to myself. You can even enter inside which is very dark so be careful in case you bump your head or trip over something. The views from the top of the barrow is fantastic. If you don't fancy a hike from Avebury itself, there is a lay-by on the A4. Definitely come and visit this fascinating place. See more..
4.5 Arundells (373 reviews)
- Super visit to Arundells
Monday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Architectural Buildings

Bringing together six architectural periods, Arundells is one of the finest houses in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, with parts of the property dating back to the 13th Century. It was acquired in 1985 by Sir Edward Heath KG MBE, Prime Minister, Statesman, sailor and musician, who bequeathed Arundells to the Charitable Foundation set up in his name following his death in 2005. Arundells is presented today as it was when Sir Edward lived here, with gifts from leaders such as Nixon, Chairman Mao and Fidel Castro sitting alongside beautiful collections of ceramics, glassware and sculpture. Arundells hosts a number of events and exhibitions throughout the year, including outdoor theatre, historical and political talks and intimate concerts. We are also available for private events and parties. Please visit our website or Facebook page for more details. See more..
4.5 The Courts Garden (370 reviews)
- Interesting gardens
Gardens

You could easily spend a quite a few hours here, it’s very peaceful and not that many visitors. Plenty of seats and benches to sit down and picnic tables. There is a cafe but it was closed when we visited. The parking is just opposite in the village hall car park. We are National Trust members so we did not have to pay. It is £10 for an adult to enter. See more..
4.5 St Thomas’s Church (342 reviews)
- Peaceful and beautiful
Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Churches & Cathedrals

St Thomas’s Church. A welcome in the heart of the city dating mostly from the Fifteenth Century, the Church of St Thomas a Becket stands in its own square at the north end of Salisbury High Street, a two-minute walk from the Cathedral Close. This has been a place of worship since the early Thirteenth Century. Please come in for a look round. Try to spot the “damned bishop” being led to Hell in the famous Doom painting. Or why not try counting all 250 angels on the roof, walls and pillars? There is full disabled access to all public areas of the church with ramps and an automatic door. Quiet, boisterous, contemplative, social: it’s always a good time to drop in to St Thomas’s. We’d be happy to meet you whenever you can stop by. See more..
4.5 Great Chalfield Manor (265 reviews)
- Great Chalfield Manor
Monday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites

Great Chalfield Manor is a beautiful Tudor Manor located on the outskirts of Broughton Gifford. Approached from a long road, this venue is well worth a visit. The tour guide provides all you need to know about the character of the premises. The gardens are very attractive. Highly recommended. See more..
4.5 Iford Manor: The Peto Garden (245 reviews)
- Beautiful garden and excellent restaurant
Monday: Spent 1-2 hours Gardens

Internationally renowned, Grade 1 listed, Italianate gardens designed by Harold Peto, who made Iford his home from 1899-1933. Characterised by terraces, pools, statuary cloisters and remarkable rural views, the garden is an archetype of its period and a historic design gem. The present owners have restored and today maintain the historic gardens and the ethos of their original designer through modern borders blended with historic plantings, and today welcome visitors to their home five days a week, with coach visits available outside normal hours. A housekeeper's tearoom serves homemade cakes and light refreshments at weekends and there is a cake-of-the-day during weekdays at the entrance desk. The gardens are steeply terraced, partially accessible to disabled visitors, who are recommended to call ahead for assistance. The gardens are not well suited to children because of unfenced ponds and other hazards. The owners are keen to protect a tranquil environment for visitors. See more..
4.5 Longleat (9.368 reviews)
- Excellent trip out
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas • Gardens

Whilst we have visited Longleat before, this trip was booked primarily to see the Festival of Lights. Upon booking with our Tesco Clubcard vouchers, we were given a safari arrival time slot of between 10am-12pm & arrived at 10.50am. Not really thinking, we were advised that we couldn’t go to the safari in my soft top car so would need to use the safari bus which in hindsight was a far better experience than driving ourselves. The driver Dave was extremely knowledgeable and very funny and helped make the 2 hour safari into a memorable experience. Full of facts and able to spot animals that we probably wouldn’t have done, this was absolutely worth the £24 price of the tickets. We also visited the other attractions and the guys on the Jungle Cruise also kept us entertained. The Festival of Lights were great and whilst I wouldn’t have paid £140.00 for our day out, to have been able to use our vouchers made it an enjoyable day. This will probably be our last visit as it was apparent that our 12 year old was at the top of the age range for the experiences we encountered. See more..