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Heritage Short Breaks

Wiltshire is blessed with an exceptional range of places to visit on a heritage holiday. You'll need more than a few days to do justice to its World Heritage Sites, historic houses and masterly cathedral and churches, all set in glorious countryside. Here you will find two short heritage holiday breaks which take in a number of sites, the first one covering the north of the county and the second the south of the county.

North Wiltshire

For this two day heritage holiday break you could stay in Chippenham or the surrounding villages in order to be able to access all the sites easily.

For information on accommodation in those areas, visit our 'Where to Stay' pages to view our full range of accommodation.

Morning

Malmesbury Abbey - approximately 11 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

Situated in the centre of the historic market town of Malmesbury, this is a Norman/Romanesque Abbey, founded by St Aldhelm in Saxon times and now the parish church. In its heyday, Malmesbury Abbey was one of the largest buildings in the country and even though only about one third of the 12th century Abbey Church remains today, it still constitutes one of the most notable remains of Norman ecclesiastical architecture in England. It is also the burial place of King Athelstan (895-940).

Telephone: 01666 824339
Website: www.malmesburyabbey.com

While you are in Malmesbury, don't miss the Market Cross, built in the reign of Henry VII, in the last years of the 15th century, and one of the finest medieval market crosses in England.

Lunch is available in Malmesbury.

Afternoon

Lacock - approximately 4 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

The village of Lacock is unique. The entire village is owned by The National Trust, who cocoon its 700-year-old collection of buildings from the modern world. But it's no museum piece. Lacock is a living village with shops, inns, a schoolhouse and a mix-and-match collection of half-timbered and stone houses. It has also been used as a location for a number of films in recent years, including 'Harry Potter' and 'Pride and Prejudice'. You can also visit Lacock Abbey and the Fox Talbot Museum of Photography. Check the website or telephone for opening times.

Telephone: 01249 730459
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock

Morning

West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill - approximately 13 miles from the centre of Chippenham.

These ancient landmarks take you back thousands of years to a time when men dug with antlers! The West Kennett Long Barrow is one of the largest Neolithic burial tombs in Britain dating back to 3700 BC. If you like walking, you can walk from the Long Barrow, through to Avebury (just over a mile away) on a pleasant country route which passes Silbury Hill. This enigma is the largest man-made mound in Europe and covers a 5 acre site. It is now protected as a Site of Special Interest.

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

Make sure you look out for the Cherhill White Horse, on the hillside to your right as you pass through the village of Cherhill on the A4.

Lunch can be taken in Avebury.

Afternoon

Avebury - approximately 1 mile from The West Kennett Long Barrow

Spend an afternoon discovering the myths and mysteries surrounding this ancient stone circle. The village of Avebury also has a museum, shop, restaurant, pub and visitor centre.

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

South Wiltshire

For this two day break you could stay in Salisbury in order to be able to access all the attractions easily.

For information on accommodation in those areas, visit our 'Where to Stay' pages to view our full range of accommodation.

Morning

Salisbury Cathedral - Salisbury City Centre

Salisbury Cathedral is probably the finest medieval cathedral in Britain, with the highest spire (123 m/ 404 ft). Tours are available.

Website: www.salisburycathedral.org.uk

After your visit to the Cathedral you can explore the Close and an exciting range of shops in and around the city centre.

Lunch is available in Salisbury.

Afternoon

Stonehenge - approximately 9 miles from Salisbury.

Stonehenge - forever a mystery. Visit the most intriguing and remarkable monument in the British Isles and a World Heritage Site. Make time to explore the extensive prehistoric landscape. Stonehenge is surrounded by mysterious remains of ceremonial and domestic structures, some older than the monument itself and many accessible by road or footpath.

Visit the superb gift shop where you will find a wide selection of gifts and books. The Stonehenge Kitchen is open all year round and serves a delicious selection of hot and cold refreshments.

Telephone: 01722 343830
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/stonehenge

Morning

Old and New Wardour Castles - approximately 17 miles from the centre of Salisbury.

Old Wardour Castle, built in the 14th century, stands serenely in its lake-side setting, protected by acres of wood, but this beguiling scene of rural tranquillity masks a blood-thirsty past. A terrible battle was fought here in 1643 when parliamentarian forces besieged the castle for several weeks. By the time the occupants had surrendered the damage to the castle was extensive.

Today surrounded by landscaped grounds which include the elaborate rockwork grotto, Old Wardour is a picturesque location for picnics and a relaxing day out.

If you enjoy a walk, you can take a pleasant and easy 3 mile walk (1 hour) from Old Wardour Castle towards New Wardour Castle, built in the 18th century. Follow this link to download Walk 10 from our Walking page. (This walk can be muddy in Winter).

Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/oldwardour

Take a picnic lunch or drive back into Salisbury for lunch before the afternoon's visit.

Afternoon

Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum - situated in The Close in the centre of Salisbury

Housed in a Grade I Listed building, Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum has won seven awards including England for Excellence and has been designated for its archaeology collections.

Here you will find beautifully designed galleries including the only one in the country devoted to Stonehenge, which has received an award for its redesign. Other displays include the story of the earliest settlers in South Wiltshire, from the Stone Age to the Saxons, the history of Old Sarum and Salisbury, the renowned Pitt Rivers collection, ceramics, Wedgwood, pre-NHS surgery, the historical costume, lace and embroidery of Wiltshire, and pictures, including Turner watercolours.

Telephone: 01722 332151
Website: www.salisburymuseum.org.uk

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