Familiarisation Visits to Wiltshire

Familiarisation Visit & Wiltshire Showcase
Sun 12 & Mon 13 October 2025

Experience Wiltshire for yourself with an familiarisation visit, designed to improve your product knowledge and give you a taste of what Wiltshire has to offer. Open to coach operators, tour operators, DMCs, group travel organisers and the trade press.

VisitWiltshire are working in partnership with Group Travel World Magazine and key tourism businesses and destinations offering a 1 night 2 day Wiltshire Familiarisation Visit and Wiltshire Showcase networking event this autumn.

This fam visit includes 1 nights’ accommodation based on single occupancy B&B, 2 lunches, 1 dinner; plus visits to many popular Wiltshire attractions.

The draft itinerary* is as follows:

Sunday 12 October

10.00 – 10.30   Arrive at The Old Bell Hotel in Warminster – a historic town centre coaching Inn offering accommodation, a Pub, Restaurant, secluded Courtyard and function room. Menus include Pub Classics and authentic Thai cuisine.

11.00 – 12.30   Journey to Longleat for a guided tour of Longleat House, which offers a fascinating journey through centuries of history, art, and architecture in one of England’s most iconic stately homes.

13.00 – 14.00   The Bridge Tea Rooms– step back in time to the Victorian era, in this blacksmith’s cottage (circa 1502) Hansel & Gretel-style exterior and cosy dining room, for a quintessential  English afternoon tea style lunch.

14.30 – 15.00   Whistle stop visit to the historic market town of Corsham. A short walk to experience exterior views of the stately Corsham Court and 16^th century Almshouses. You may even come across a peacock or two - the town’s most beautiful, but noisiest, residents.

15.30 – 16.30   REME Museum – Discover 7 galleries in this modern, interactive museum exploring the fascinating history and stories of the British Army’s Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Take the opportunity to see the only Conspicuous Gallantry Cross on public display. Discover the MOD Lyneham memorial Garden within the Museum grounds.

OR OPTIONAL VISIT TO:

15.30 – 17.30   Bowood House & Gardens - set within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped 'Capability' Brown Parkland, enjoy a walk through the gardens and discover hidden gems or stroll through the house and spot architectural delights. Bowood is celebrating their 50th Anniversary of opening to the public in 2025.

Dinner and overnight accommodation in Salisbury at Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge, The Stones Hotel, Legacy Rose & Crown, Milford Hall Hotel and The Manor Estate.

Monday 13 October

09.30 – 10.30   Stonehenge – This world famous pre-historic Stone-Circle of Stonehenge is the ultimate must see attraction for all visitors to the county.

11.00 – 13.00    Set within 22 acres of stunning countryside, visit the award-winning Hawk Conservancy Trust where you can see birds of prey up close during their world-class flying displays. You’ll see the ‘Wings of Africa’ display and enjoy lunch in Feathers Restaurant.

14.00 – 17.00   Wiltshire Showcase at National Trust's Stourhead Estate. The afternoon will include, a tour of the world-famous landscape garden with its magnificent lake reflecting classical temples, mystical grottoes and rare exotic trees; opportunity to meet Wiltshire suppliers in an exhibition area and an afternoon tea.

17.00    All depart.

Our transport sponsor ‘Southern Tour’, will provide 2 x 8-seater vehicles (max 16 pax) and will operate this itinerary with pick up and drop offs to and from Warminster.

*Please note timings and locations on this itinerary are subject to change.

ONLY £150 per person  LIMITED PLACES AVAILABLE

If you are interested to visit, with a view to return with a group or to contract for future tours, please register your interest to attend by completing this Registration Form. The magazine feature can be seen here. Contact Flo for further information.

Deadline for registrations Friday 19 September 2025.

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Wiltshire Showcase - Monday 13 October 2025, 14.00 - 17.00

Wiltshire Showcase will take place on Monday 13 October at Stourhead's Memorial Hall (opposite Spread Eagle Inn). The afternoon will include a tour of Stourhead Gardens and a delicious afternoon tea. This event will also give buyers the opportunity to informally meet a range of Wiltshire attractions, towns and accommodation exhibitors. 

This event is suitable for coach & tour operators, wholesalers/DMCs, and group travel organisers and is FREE OF CHARGE for eligible buyers to attend. Buyers are welcome to attend the Wiltshire Showcase event irrespective of whether they attend the adjoining fam visit. Please register your interest to attend by emailing Flo.   

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Familiarisation Visit Terms and Conditions

• Price is VAT inclusive. Payment must be made to VisitWiltshire before 30 September to secure your place. Cancellation policy is that there will be no refunds available.
• Limited places available - only one person per organisation allowed.
• Accommodation is for single occupancy based on B&B (double occupancy can be arranged).
• Itinerary is subject to change.
• Limited transport spaces available to and from Warminster on Sunday 12 & Monday 13 October. Please request when booking. Railway tickets/petrol costs are not included.
• One x 2-course dinner and two x lunches with soft drink are included.
• Entry to the attractions are included.

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Self-Drive Familiarisation Visits 

Experience Wiltshire for yourself at any time throughout the year, with an educational familiarisation visit designed to improve your product knowledge and give you a taste of what Wiltshire has to offer. Open to coach operators, tour operators, travel agents, group travel organisers and the trade press.

VisitWiltshire offers eligible trade a bespoke self-drive itinerary development service to assist you with, and introduce you to, a variety of tourism businesses suitable for groups/FIT to be contracted.

Step 1:

Research where in Wiltshire you would like to visit.  See listings below for trade focussed businesses and destinations who look forward to welcoming you. Take a look at our Wiltshire Familiarisation Passport Offers. 

Step 2:

We will need to find out a little more about you, your group, your customers, when and where you would like to visit, so please complete the Wiltshire Fam Visit Enquiry Form.  

Step 3:

Once we receive your form, we will decide whether we give you access to the VisitWiltshire Familiarisation Passport or create a bespoke itinerary for your visit. We aim to put you in touch with the relevant businesses to enable you to visit attractions to meet & greet, view and/or stay in accommodation that you may be interested to contract for a future group visit.

Terms & Conditions

Please note a minimum of one month’s notice is required for all familiarisation visits. Complementary admission for familiarisation visits are at the discretion of attractions and are provided for 2 adults only. Visits are only valid on standard opening dates and times, which may vary. Trade or standard rates may apply for accommodation, but meet & greet/show rounds can be requested. Additional terms and conditions apply (see offer document for details).

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Travel Trade Guide

For inspiration to decide where to visit take a look at our go-to trade resource, designed for those planning trips to Wiltshire including highlights, suggested itineraries, specialist tours, benefits for groups and so much more.

Contact: For further information please contact Florence Wallace, Head of Travel Trade, VisitWiltshire flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk, T: 07436 588860.