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Wiltshire Holiday Cottages
Wiltshire, known as the gateway to the West Country, consists of a population of nearly 450,000 and covers an area of around 3,500 sq km.
The gateway to the West Country has been visited by holiday makers for its beautiful countryside, a large proportion of which is now designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Wiltshire is a mixture of beauty and mystery with magical forces, such as the world's best known ancient stone monument Stonehenge. Another ancient site, Avebury's Stone Circle, which rises out of Wiltshire's countryside with mystical significance and alleged powers, as well as ancient burial grounds such as the West Kennet, Long Barrow and Europe's largest man-made prehistoric mound known as Sidbury Hill.
Combined with mysticism and ancient monuments, a holiday cottage in Wiltshire will provide you and your family a varied and exciting holiday. From your country cottage, you can explore the countryside, and you can discover a wide choice of attractions and towns to visit.
Main Towns in Wiltshire:-
Swindon ~ Chippenham ~ Calne ~ Malmesbury ~ Wooten Bassett ~ Marlborough ~ Devises ~ Trowbridge ~ Warminster ~ Wilton ~ Salisbury ~ Tidworth ~ Wroughton ~ Cricklade ~ Highworth ~ Melksham ~ Corsham.
Main Attractions in Wiltshire:-
Cotswold Water Park ~ Britain's largest with over 130 lakes offering water sports and sailing activities.
Steam Museum ~ Based in Swindon, you can explore the history of the steam locomotive.
Malmesbury Abbey.
Lydiard Park ~ Swindon.
Bowood House ~ An 18th.Century family home with children's activities and playgrounds set in parkland.
Corsham Court ~ A Unique collection of oil paintings set in landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown.
Castle Coombe Race Circuit ~ Stirling Moss, Nigel Mansell and Daemon Hill all left their mark on this circuit.
Lacock Abbey ~ Featured in the Harry Potter movie The Philosopher's Stone.
Avebury Stone Circle ~ Ancient stone circle probably constructed during the Neolithic period.
Wilton Windmill ~ The last remaining working windmill in Wiltshire.
Savernake Forest ~ 2000 Acres of unspoilt woodland.
Silbury Hill ~ Europe's oldest prehistoric mound dating back to 2,700 BC, making it over 4,700 years old.
Kennet & Avon Canal ~ Cutting across the county, come and take a boat down the canal and picnic.
Iford Manor ~ Grade 1 listed Peto garden.
Salisbury Plain ~ 25,000 acres of open grassland mainly used for military manoeuvres and operations.
Stonehenge ~ A world heritage site, this ancient ring of stones date from 3,000 BC.
Longleat ~ A fine Elizabethan House with a glorious safari park with lions, tigers, monkey jungle and rhinos.
Stourhead ~ 18th.Century Landscaped Gardens and parkland.
Wilton House ~ Set in 21 acres of landscaped parkland and home to the 17th. Earl of Pembroke.
Salisbury Cathedral ~ Built in the 13th.Century with the tallest spire in Britain.
The White Horse ~ Carved out of the chalk downs, this ancient monument has unknown origins.
Old Wardour Castle ~ Featured in the movie 'Robin the Prince of Thieves', this castle was the site of a terrible bloody battle during the English civil war in 1643.
Wiltshire offers your cottage holiday a unique combination of ancient world heritage sites from places such as Stonehenge, Avebury and Salisbury Cathedral, to historic houses, parkland, safari parks, water sports, steam enthusiasts Mecca and adventure playgrounds. You will see that there is something to satisfy every age and interest for your cottage holiday location.
Swindon, Wiltshire's primary city, is the largest city and is home to the Brunel railway museum and its tribute to the world of steam. Swindon was a huge railway town and junction centre, and you can come and see the Great Western Railway come to life once again. Swindon is surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside and also houses Europe's oldest road 'The Ridgeway'. Swindon boasts a glorious shopping centre and a relaxed atmosphere.
Salisbury is a medieval city based around the ancient iron age hill fort and was subsequently occupied extensively by the Romans, Saxons and Normans. Salisbury has grown into the secondary city of the county of Wiltshire, with its towering Cathedral with the highest spire in England, which can be seen for miles. The Cathedral contains the world's oldest working clock and one of only 4 surviving copies of the Magna Carta. Salisbury is a must see city.
Malmesbury is England's oldest borough and contains the Norman Abbey and the Cherhill White Horse, which has been carved into the chalk downs.
Corsham contains beautiful town houses and large family homes dotted around in sleepy little hamlets.
If you prefer the relaxation of the canal then Wiltshire can offer you a peaceful serene boat journey along the Kennett & Avon Canal from your cottage holiday location, or you can cycle along the tow paths and stop off at the many friendly pubs serving wholesome pub grub along the way.
Farmers Markets [Mornings only]
Food and Drink can be found at one of the many Farmers Markets where the best of home grown Wiltshire produce can be purchased, such as Wiltshire Ham, smoked trout's or local goats cheese.
Wiltshire Farmers' Markets Association Markets can be found at:
Bradford Upon Avon ~ Third Thursday of the month;
Chippenham Market Place ~ Second Tuesday of the month;
Devises Market Place ~ The First Saturday of the month;
Lacock Manger Barn ~ Second Saturday of the month;
Marlborough High Street ~ Last Saturday of the month;
Salisbury Market ~ First Wednesday and third Wednesday of the month;
Trowbridge ~ Fourth Friday of the month;
Warminster ~ First Friday and Third Friday of the month;
Wooten Bassett ~ Fourth Saturday of the month.
Wiltshire is a cottage holiday ideal location with idyllic countryside and large areas of areas of outstanding natural beauty, particularly in north Wiltshire.
Military Influence in Wiltshire
The Army has made Salisbury plain one of its main areas for manoeuvres and for open warfare activities. Much of the plain is closed to the public but many parts are still accessible with stunning views. If you have interest in military memorabilia, or if you or your father were stationed in Wiltshire, then a visit to the location will bring back memories.