Newbury Estate Agents
55 Northbrook Street
Newbury
RG14 1AN
Rolling green fields, gorgeous woodlands and lively market towns – these are a few characteristics which make Wiltshire the countryside landscape residents and visitors adore.
Salisbury Estate Agents
41 Milford Street
Salisbury
SP1 2BP
People flock to Wiltshire for the natural vistas it offers in its beautiful countryside. The county is home to two of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Part of The Cotswolds lies in the North of the county whereas Cranborne Chase sits in the South West. Historical towns which still thrive with friendly and welcoming communities sit in the midst of the stunning scenery. This combination is precisely what puts Wiltshire on the map for those seeking a new place to call home.
Salisbury is the only city in Wiltshire. It’s famed for its traditional timbered architecture and listed buildings which allow visitors to connect with a fascinating historic past. Beyond Salisbury there are a large number of small villages scattered throughout the area populated by bustling and active communities.
Wiltshire has a relaxed pace of life even though it’s situated a mere hour and thirty minutes from London. The county is well connected for the convenience of commuters looking for a break from the city’s rapid pace. Strutt & Parker’s office is situated in Salisbury where we cover beautiful town houses as well as quaint cottages, charming country houses as well as farms and estates further afield.
With a wealth of history and natural beauty at its exposure, Wiltshire is spoilt for exciting and enticing activities. Here are a few ideas on how to fully enjoy this stunning part of the world.
Things to do in Wiltshire
With a wealth of history and natural beauty at its exposure, Wiltshire is spoilt for exciting and enticing activities. Here are a few ideas on how to fully enjoy this stunning part of the world.
Step back in time
Wiltshire is a goldmine for history, it is littered with tangible and enticing locations ready for people to dive in and experience the rich and intriguing past. Wiltshire is unique in the fact that several periods in history have been preserved in the form of artefacts, museums and historical landmarks. These periods span Medieval, Saxon, Roman, Iron Age, Bronze Age and Prehistoric times.
The site of Salisbury Cathedral takes you back to middle ages with its Gothic architecture, it also houses the Magna Carta which dates all the way back to 1215. The cathedral is located within The Close which is a collection of fine period houses, all with a fascinating history attached to them. Across the rest of Wiltshire, you can step back even further into ancient times at Stonehenge. The site is believed to have been built between 2000 and 3000 BC by our Neolithic ancestors. Much of Wiltshire’s landscape is shaped by Iron Age hill forts which are very much a part of the beautiful open spaces.
Outdoor Activities
It goes without saying that there are many beautiful walking spots peppered throughout the county brushing history and revealing stunning English vistas. There are a number of trails to embark on for different types of walks. The more advanced hikers would revel in the path to the Westbury White Horse which was an Iron Age settlement, whereas the more relaxed stroller would enjoy the trail along the Kennet & Avon Canal which is nicely broken up with cafes, pubs and villages.
Elsewhere, there’s the Cotswold Water Park which is a hotspot for many aerial and water activities. People can get involved in water-skiing, sailing, inflatable tugboat rides as well as other land activities such as archery, horse riding and angling. It’s the perfect place to take up a new hobby. Wiltshire also has its very own safari park at Longleat where visitors can come into close proximity with creatures of the magnificent animal kingdom in open and natural spaces.
Why We Love Wiltshire
Many become entranced by Wiltshire’s charm which is found in its history, people and vibrant natural beauty – its pure Britishness is a much celebrated feature of the county.
The Spiritual Identity
A spiritual ambience lies in Wiltshire’s identity mostly due to its Pagan and Prehistoric roots which are still represented by the ancient constructs scattered throughout the county. Spots such as the Avebury stone circle and Stonehenge welcomes visitors to celebrate solstice events which connect people deeply with their ancestry. The clear air, absent of light pollution, allows the astrological cycles to be fully appreciated from these spiritual spots – it can’t be denied that a magic lies here.
Beautiful Nature & Local Charm
Another reason to love Wiltshire is for its natural surroundings and friendly people. It is a rare and unique privilege to live in a space of unspoilt natural beauty which is deeply respected by the locals. This county has bundles of character and charm in its humble setting which can only be untapped fully with exploration. Plenty of friendly folk and characters animate the village streets at communal events or on market days which occur throughout the year, such as the Christmas market which takes place on the Salisbury cathedral grounds every year. Wiltshire also has an expanse of pubs, restaurants and inns still withholding their historical features - many of which serve locally brewed ales and delicious pub grub.
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Key villages & towns in Wiltshire
Salisbury
Salisbury is commonly referred to as ‘the city in the countryside’ due to its buzzing atmosphere and opposing quaint surroundings. At the centre of the town, largely made up of traditional timber buildings and cobbled streets, lies Salisbury cathedral which roofs a significant artefact in history – The Magna Carta. This particular document dating back to the 13th century spread a message of liberty which has since been echoed throughout the world. Salisbury has also been the muse to many storytellers and home to many figures of note, such as Ted Hughes’ whose house lies in the town; elsewhere, there is Malmesbury House which homed Charles II during the Great Plague.
Trowbridge
Contrary to popular belief, Trowbridge is in fact the county town of Wiltshire and not Salisbury as many would think. The town of Trowbridge is home to its own castle open to the public. Longs Park Castle, which is Grade 2 listed and surrounded by an ancient woodland, is certainly a sight to behold and an experience to remember. The town’s history is celebrated throughout the streets elsewhere, such as the unique Victorian Christmas which is hosted and set up by The Museum; it offers children the chance to experience the traditional festivities of the season in real historical environments.
Amesbury
Set upon the River Avon and situated only a stone’s throw away from the pre-historic site of Stonehenge, Amesbury thrives as a small, yet charming town rich with community and identity. Its identity, like much of Wiltshire, is steeped in history with traces of the town’s existence dating back to 979 AD where the Abbey was built; this makes Amesbury one of the oldest settlements in England.
Chippenham
Chippenham stands as one of Salisbury’s most vibrant towns, with a reputation as a market town, the town projects an incredibly warming and sociable aura. As well as playing host to frequent market days, there are plenty of natural surroundings to take in which is found in greens spaces such as John Coles Park and the gentle trickle of the River Avon. Stone-built villages which surround the town have also featured in many TV dramas and films such as Harry Potter, War Horse and Larkrise to Candleford which are all testament to its beauty.
Schools in the area
Wiltshire is home to a wide array of primary schools, secondary schools and further education facilities.
Church-run schools and academies are predominant throughout Wiltshire’s towns and villages. However, the county also provides access to state schools, private schools, and grammar schools; all of which offer excellent facilities.
The likes of Cherhill School, Keevil School, Dauntsey’s School and Godolphin School have all reached the top of Wiltshire’s school league tables in terms of student performance and grades. Elsewhere there are a host of private schools such as Appleford School, Burton Hill School and Heywood Prep. Wiltshire’s education institutions are also accommodating to those seeking further education too. The likes of Malborough College, St Augustine’s Catholic College and The Clarendon College are all highly regarded for their fantastic educational services.
Find a full list of schools in Wiltshire and the surrounding area in the Good Schools Guide.
Transport links
By train
There are many stations within the Wiltshire district providing excellent services to London as well as neighbouring Bath and Bristol. Westbury, located in the South, holds a direct line to London Paddington which takes just short of an hour and a half. Bristol is much closer taking a mere forty minutes to get to. Smaller stations are equally well connected; the likes of Swindon, Chippenham and Trowbridge provide excellent services around Wiltshire and beyond, further South Tisbury and Salisbury offers a direct service to London.
By train
The M4 runs across the North of the county which provides residents with an easy means to get into the heart of London, or alternatively venture further out West towards Bristol and Wales. The rest of the county is well connected via a series of A roads, the A346 runs down the East from the M4 whilst the A350 runs down the West side. In South Wiltshire the A303 connects to the M3 which also leads on to London.