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History & Heritage

Wiltshire (UK) is blessed with an exceptional range of historical sites, the best known of which is the World Heritage site of Stonehenge and Avebury.

Stonehenge is one of the world's most famous prehistoric sites and its status is well deserved. There's something magical about its unexpected presence on the vastness of Salisbury Plain. The grey-green stones, some of which were transported hundreds of miles from Pembrokeshire, link us with our ancestors in a way which no history book ever can.

A similar sense of awe and mystery surrounds the great stone circle of Avebury. Here the stones - around 100 in all - form a huge ring one-quarter of a mile across. But that's just the start of the story. Avebury is the focus of an amazing cluster of ancient monuments. Gaze across the fields and you'll see the giant mound of Silbury Hill, over 130ft high. Despite excavations, the purpose of this awesome man-made structure remains unsolved. Then follow the 'avenue' marked by stones to The Sanctuary, another enigmatic prehistoric monument, or visit the West Kennet Long Barrow, one of Britain's largest Stone Age burial tombs.

Salisbury Cathedral is another historical tourist attraction in England that should not be missed. Its attractions include a 404ft spire (the highest in England), an atmosphere of of medieval antiquity and many treasures, not least the meticulous medieval calligraphy to be seen on the original text of the Magna Carta which is displayed in the Chapter House. The Cathedral is surrounded by The Close, a spacious area of grassland, Georgian terraces, historic houses and museums, forming a peaceful haven in the centre of the busy city of Salisbury.

When you travel around the county you should also look out for the eight white horses which are carved into the Wiltshire landscape. The oldest of these, at Westbury, dates back to 1778, but the present figure was preceded by a much older one which was reputed to have been cut in 878 AD.

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