Press Release 23 March 2018
Make Spring-Time for Warminster
Situated beneath the chalk downland, with its abundant flora and fauna, Warminster lies on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Nestled between Cley Hill and Battlesbury Hill, the area offers wonderful spring walks along ancient routes.
The town itself has a generous range of shopping, from household names to independent traders, with a variety of relaxing coffee shops and restaurants along the main shopping streets to suit every taste.
A great way to discover the town is to download the spy mission themed trail named ‘Alien – Portal Destruction’ from Treasure Trails. The title refers to Warminster’s reputation as one of the UK’s busiest locations for UFO sightings and provides a fun and informative way to explore the town by solving a set of fiendish clues.
Set in the heart of the town, the award-winning Lake Pleasure Grounds feature a picturesque boating lake, children’s paddling pool, tennis courts, putting green, and the lovely Pavilion Café. The boats are available to hire through until September, weekends and school holidays.
Next to the lake is the beautiful Smallbrook Meadows Nature Reserve which is run by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and has a thriving population of water voles.
With its hilltop position above the town West Wilts Golf Club, which was established in 1891, offers spectacular views across three counties.
Events and Entertainment
The town hosts an active events programme annually, which this year includes a new event ‘Spring in the Park’ (on Sunday 6 May), where the Mayor of Warminster will be re-introducing traditional rowing boats onto the lake and there’ll be a full day of family fun including maypole dancing, Morris dancing, a silver band, a dog show, BBQ and donkey rides.
Look out for the Vintage Nostalgia Festival at Stockton (this year 1–3 June), showcasing vintage fashion, vintage trade stands, classic vintage car display, hot rods, automotive memorabilia, antiques, kitchenalia, traditional crafts and various period exhibits from the turn of century through to the 1980s.
2018 is the 10th year of the Warminster Wobble (running on 16 and 17 June), a weekend cycling event run by the Warminster Cycle Groyp. It is the 6th year of the town's free summer live music event Inspire in the park (8 July) featuring local bands and artists across a range of genres aiming to inspire young people to take up playing a musical instrument.
Where to eat and shop
The George Inn at Longbridge Deverill, Warminster is a family-friendly traditional coaching inn set in an acre of grassland on the river Wylye. The Bath Arms on the Longleat estate at Horningsham offers a great British menu with home grown, traditional food.
There is also a selection of Warminster food and drink choices.
Where to stay
Oaklands is a large Victorian house Bed & Breakfast which has been in the family since it was built in the 1880s with spacious and comfortably furnished rooms. The Shepherd’s Hut at Walnut Tree Lodge is a short walk from Warminster near to the Shearwater Lake.
Crockerton House is a luxury bed and breakfast in a historic house and garden four miles from Longleat. The Bishopstrow Hotel is one of the finest luxury hotels in the whole of Wiltshire and is a temple to relaxation.
For an alternative, Botany Camping and Glamping offers cosy and intimate camping and glamping 3.5 miles from Longleat.
Places to Visit
Close by attractions include the world-renowned Longleat, the award-winning National Trust property Stourhead and the idyllic Iford Manor & Peto Garden. For the more intrepid there’s the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team at Brokerswood Country Park offering everything from rafting and kayaking to archery and tree climbing. For any intrepid walkers why not visit the nearby Westbury White Horse or the picturesque Shearwater Lake.
- For further information please see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/warminster
For further information or to arrange a press visit please contact Florence Wallace, Travel Trade & PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk Tel: 01722 341309 or 07436 588860
Note to editors: VisitWiltshire is the official Destination Management & Marketing Organisation for Wiltshire representing 600 partners. It is a public/private sector membership organisation. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 29,000 jobs.
For more information on Warminster visit http://www.warminstercommunityhub.co.uk/
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