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Top ten things to do for free in Wiltshire

15 February 2010

If money is tight but you still want a great day out then the county of Wiltshire offers plenty of free things to see and do for visitors of all ages.

1. Visit Avebury Stone Circle

Located in the centre of Wiltshire the impressive circle of stones in the village of Avebury is just as spectacular as its more famous counterpart, Stonehenge. At Avebury visitors can walk around the huge circle which encompasses the entire village for free. Forming part of the overall Avebury complex visitors can also take in West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill both of which are thought to be Neolithic burial chambers.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury

2. Get cultural at Fisherton Mill

Perfect for shopaholics and foodies, Fisherton Mill is the south of England's largest gallery and perfectly located in the centre of Salisbury. Within the gallery space visitors can browse works from leading artists, furniture makers and sculptors, while the gallery shop stocks an array of unusual work. There is a café on site selling a range of freshly prepared cakes, food and coffees, plus a specially designed healthy children's menu. Special theatre and dining events are held regularly and details can be found on the website.
www.fishertonmill.co.uk

3. Learn about the history of the National Trust at Heelis

The central office of the National Trust in Swindon offers visitors an insight into unique English heritage sites. Tours of this innovative and sustainable building take place every Friday lunchtime. The shop and café are open daily. Heelis regularly operates special events, especially those aimed at children during school holiday periods. Check the website for details.
www.nationaltrust.org/heelis

4. Browse the pretty National Trust village of Lacock

A visit to the beautiful National Trust village of Lacock is like taking a step back in time. The beautiful and fascinating cobbled streets are a delight and here visitors can find a range of traditional shops including the famous Lacock Bakery. Other highlights include Lacock Abbey and Fox Talbot Museum. Visiting the village is free, although admission charges apply for the Abbey and Museum. Lacock is famed for being a location for numerous films and TV dramas including Cranford and Harry Potter.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock

5. Increase your knowledge at The Science Museum Library and Archives

Swindon's Science Museum Library and Archives are part of the main Science Museum in London, housing internationally important books and journals on the history and development of science, technology, engineering and medicine. Amongst the most famous items in the collection are pieces from Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton. Admission is free by appointment only.
www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/library

6. Learn more about our ancestors through from sites at Woodhenge and Durrington Walls

Not far from Stonehenge lies the site of Woodhenge and Durrington Walls. Woodhenge is approximately the same size as Stonehenge and is a Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age monument made up of a series of concentric circles of wooden poles. The original poles no longer remain but markers are placed in the excavated post holes for visitors to envisage how it would have looked. Just a little further north is Durrington Walls, a massive circular earthwork or 'henge'. Despite having been damaged by ploughing and roads the tall banks are still visible.
www.english-heritage.org.uk

7. Trowbridge Museum

Located within a former mill, the history of Trowbridge, its people and cloth making are all told via displays of over 14,000 items at Trowbridge Museum.
www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk

8. Take in the visitor centre at Wadworth Brewery

Wadworth Brewery in Devizes is Wiltshire's main brewery with a history of producing fine ales dating back 125 years. The visitor centre offers an insight into the brewery and an opportunity to sample the ale. Furthermore visitors can also meet the Shire Horses which still deliver the beers in the old fashioned way. Chargeable guided tours are also available.
www.wadworth.co.uk.

9. Drive past the county's White Horses

Wiltshire is famous for its white horses of which eight are clearly visible. The horses are dotted around the county's hillsides and now VisitWiltshire has put together a special 'White Horse Trail' encouraging visitors to enjoy long distance walking between the horses.
www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/site/things-to-do/attractions/history-and-heritage/white-horses

10. Walk along the Kennet & Avon canal and past the famous Caen Hill Locks

In 2010 the Kennet & Avon Canal will celebrate its bicentenary. The canal, which is Wiltshire's main waterway, offers great days out for all the family including the fun of King Alfred's Trail near Pewsey where visitors can collect brass rubbings of insects, plants and wildlife that can be seen on route. The most spectacular section of the canal is that at Caen Hill near Devizes where a compact flight of 16 locks form part of the 29 locks which raise the canal 237 feet in just two miles.
www.waterscape.com/k&a200

For more information about great things to see and do in Wiltshire visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk