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Summary: Information on holidays in Wiltshire
Wiltshire
The county of Wiltshire is located in the south west of England, and is home to a huge number and range of historical sites, including of course Stonehenge and Avebury at the edge of Salisbury Plain, both of which are World Heritage Sites.
Around three quarters of the land in Wiltshire is protected either as green belt, special landscape or areas of outstanding natural beauty. Salisbury Plain in central Wiltshire is the largest area of chalkland in England, where countless settlements and hill forts of ancient Britons can be found.
Another feature of the Wiltshire countryside are the White Horses cut into the chalk hillsides. At one time there were thought to be as many as thirteen, although only eight are still visible today. The first of these to appear was believed to be at Westbury in as far back as 878AD. The original figure can no longer be seen as a new horse was cut on top in 1778. The most recent horse can be found above Devizes, and was cut to celebrate the Millennium. There is walking trail of some 90 miles that incorporate all the remaining horses, and passes though woodlands, open fields and even along the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath at Caen Hill near Devizes. 
The Kennet and Avon Canal runs right across Wiltshire, and provides ample opportunites for exploring the county from the water. Narrow boat holidays are increasing in popularity, and its easy to see why – after a day motoring through some of Wiltshire’s beautiful countryside, what could be better than stopping for a meal in one the wonderful canalside pubs and inns along the way?
For walking holidays, Wiltshire has over 7500 paths and trails, from the long distance trails such as the 55 miles of Mid Wilts Way, to a shorter stroll around the National Trust village of Lacock. Many of these pathways are suitable for cycling too, and provides a wonderful way to enjoy the varied landscape.
Whatever your interest, there are plenty of activites to keep you occupied. If you prefer a more physical approach to your holiday, then you will be spolit for choice. Outdoor pursuits such as horseriding, golf, walking or cycling, Go-Karting and even hang-gliding compete with the more gentle exploration of the county’s many stately homes and gardens. Ice-skating, bowling and swimming are just of the few things to do if the weather is not so good! Or why not visit one of the many museums that celebrate the diversity of the heritage of Wiltshire. The museum in the county town of Trowbridge is housed in one of the last working textile mills in the town. Entrance is free, and celebrates the woollen industry that flourished in years gone by, along with regularly updated exhibitions.
Longleat house and Safari Park is well worth a visit, as is Stourhead, on the Wiltshire/Somerset border. Savernake forest, near the historic town of Marlborough is a designated area of outstanding beauty and a site of special scientific interest. Although privately owned, much of it is managed by the forestry commission, with large areas of the forest open to the public and contain a wide variety of animals and plants.
There is a wide variety of accomodation available, from country house hotels, farmhouse B&Bs, self catering cottages and plenty of caravan and camping sites.
Whether you plan to spend a few days over a long weekend or the whole of your two week break, Wiltshire is somewhere you will want to return to again and again.
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