Press Release 15 May 2017
Wilton... the Ancient Capital of Wessex
History of the town
Wilton, was once the ancient capital of Wessex founded by Anglo-Saxons who settled there. This quintessential English market town is a timeless place, which nestles where the rivers Nadder and Wylye meet and has a history spanning more than 2000 years.
When the new Cathedral and planned city of Salisbury were built from 1220 onwards, much of Wilton’s trade suffered. By the end of the 15th century the busy centre was in decay and some of the houses and lanes, in what had been the early industrial area, were disappearing. In the next century the town’s abbey was closed and surrendered to Henry VIII in 1539. In 1541 much of the estate was granted to Sir William Herbert, who became Earl of Pembroke in 1551.
The original Wilton House was completed around 1550. The house became a great cultural centre. It was believed that Sir Philip Sydney composed ‘Arcadia’ in the grounds and King James I held court at Wilton in 1603 when Shakespeare and his company gave the first performance of ‘As You Like It’.
By the 17th century weaving was the main industry and the carpet industry began around 1741.
The church of St Mary and St Nicholas, known locally as the Italianate church, was built between 1841 and 1844 at the instigation of the Countess of Pembroke, designed by the architect Thomas Henry Wyatt in the Romanesque style, with considerable Byzantine influences. For a small town, the church is enormous, representing the wealth of its benefactors.
Things to see and do
Set in 21 acres of landscaped parkland with beautiful rose gardens is the stately home of Wilton House, seat of the Earl of Pembroke. It contains ones of Europe’s finest art collections.
The magnificent Indigo Jones Staterooms include the famous Double Cube Room – the finest surviving 17th century stateroom in England, designed to display family portraits by van Dyck.
St Mary’s Ruin is in the Market Square and is partially demolished apart from the charming 18th century ceiling. There are fascinating memorials to the people of Wilton in the remains which are surrounded by the romantic ruins of its arcades and tower arch. A short walk away is a famous Wyatt and Brandon’s Italianate Church (1845).
There is a delightful riverside walk along the Wylye, running from St John's Square through the Flouse Hole conservation area to Castle Meadow.
The town has a recreation ground and Sport Pavilion at Castle Meadow, tennis courts and a number of children’s play areas.
Annual Events & Entertainment
July is a busy time with the Wilton Carnival taking place and the Wilton Estate hosting Parkinson’s Awareness Walk and the well-known annual Wilton Horse Trials which takes place over two days. There is the Wessex Country Fair in August and an antiques fair which takes place in March. The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place in early December
Where to eat and shop
Just across the road from Wilton House is the Wilton Shopping Village with its historic courtyard, antique centre and popular Wilton Carpet Factory outlet.
This riverside shopping destination offers a variety of restaurants and cafés with a range of food and drink options to suit all budgets. It’s also a great place to stop and feed the ducks!
There are a number of places to eat and drink in the Town Centre too, as well as a range of independent shops including a butcher, baker and deli. Just off the A36 heading out of town, is the Bird & Carter Farm Shop which offers homemade pies, quiche, salad, cakes for sale alongside local chocolates and cheese, charcuterie and meat.
Where to stay
Karibu Bed and Breakfast sits on the A30 as it passes through Wilton offering a home-from-home experience, whilst Quidhampton Mill offers two self-catering apartments in the nearby village of Quidhampton with stunning views of the water meadows and River Wylye. Burcombe Manor is a working farm with a lovely Victorian farmhouse in the Nadder valley. There are also a number of B&B’s in Wilton town centre.
Connectivity
Wilton is just four miles west of Salisbury on the A36. Salisbury is on the main London to Exeter train line. There is free parking in Wilton.
What’s nearby?
Wilton is the gateway to the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stonehenge is only a stone’s throw away.
The city of Salisbury is close by with its excellent shopping, restaurants and attractions. The Close is not only home to Salisbury Cathedral & Magna Carta, but also Mompesson House, Arundells, The Rifles Military Museum and The Salisbury Museum.
If you fancy something a little different then try Salisbury Escape Rooms in the city centre. A short drive away is The Salisbury and South Wilts Golf Club and Salisbury Racecourse which holds regular meetings throughout the season.
For further information please see www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/wilton
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 Wilton please visit www.wiltontowncouncil.gov.uk
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