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  1. stonehenge at twilight
    Stonehenge

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You are here: Home > Things To Do > History & Heritage

Wiltshire History & Heritage

With a history spanning over 10,000 years, Wiltshire has been a special place for a very long time. History in Wiltshire is not just ancient, come today and you can walk through time.

Probably the most iconic of Wiltshire’s sites is of course Stonehenge. To this day there is still a mystery as to the reasons behind the site and how the stones were transported from as far away as Wales.

Further north is Avebury, the largest stone circle in the world. Dating from around 4,500 years ago, Avebury together with Stonehenge form part of the World Heritage Site.

Discover Salisbury’s 13th century Cathedral which boasts the tallest spire in Britain, the medieval village of Lacock with its Abbey and historic towns such as Malmesbury and Bradford on Avon and Wiltshire's county town, Trowbridge.

Visit one of our stately homes ranging from the Elizabethan Longleat House, Wilton House with its Tudor origins, Palladian-style Lydiard House and the Merchant’s House in Marlborough, the house of a prosperous silk mercer. Explore some of Wiltshire’s ecclesiastical heritage in some of our historic churches that open to the public.

During the industrial revolution, the Kennet & Avon Canal was created linking Bristol to Reading by water. The canal although no longer used for industrial reasons is still a very thriving place and is the perfect spot for a stroll or cycle along the tow path. Look out for Crofton Beam Engines near Marlborough and the Caen Hill Locks near Devizes which both form part of the impressive canal. One of the key drivers in the Industrial Revolution was Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Brunel was responsible for developing the Great Western Railway, still celebrated today in Swindon’s STEAM Museum.

Learn more about the history of Wiltshire at the Wiltshire Museum and Salisbury Museum and if you are searching your heritage then the Wiltshire History Centre in Chippenham should be your first point of call. Discover more history on a visit to one of our museums from transport to local history.

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  1. Salisbury Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 469 reviews469 reviews

    Salisbury Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Salisbury

    Discover 500,000 years of history - from the archaeology of ancient Wessex to contemporary art - all in a stunning medieval building set within the glorious setting of the Cathedral Close.

  2. Roman Baths Bathing Complex

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 23575 reviews23575 reviews

    Roman Baths

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Abbey Church Yard, Bath

    Visit the heart of the World Heritage Site. Around Britain's only hot spring, the Romans built a magnificent temple and bathing complex that still flows with natural hot water.

  3. West Kennet Long Barrow in summer

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    West Kennet Long Barrow

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Marlborough

    Constructed around 3,400 BC West Kennet is one of the largest Neolithic chambers in Britain.

    The impressive site was the resting place for many souls. Two Sarsen stones cover the entrance and inside there are five chambers.

  4. Old Sarum, © English Heritage

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1648 reviews1648 reviews

    Old Sarum

    Type

    Type:

    Castle/Fort

    Salisbury

    Discover the story of the original Salisbury with a day out to Old Sarum, 2 miles north of where the city stands now.

    The mighty Iron Age hill fort was where the first cathedral once stood and Romans, Normans and Saxons left their mark.

  5. Fisherton Mill - Gallery, Cafe and Artist Studios

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 117 reviews117 reviews

    Fisherton Mill - Gallery, Cafe and Artist Studios

    Type

    Type:

    Gallery

    Salisbury

    Explore a treasure trove of amazing artwork in the largest independent art gallery in the South West. Our relaxed and friendly café is a slice of foodie heaven in the heart of Salisbury.

  6. car driving past two lions

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 9112 reviews9112 reviews

    Longleat

    Type

    Type:

    Safari Park

    Warminster

    Longleat, nestled within 900 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped grounds, is home to the UK’s original Safari Park, one of the best examples of Elizabethan architecture, and an abundance of exciting attractions including Jungle Kingdom and Animal…

  7. All are welcome to our museum of test flight UK.

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 630 reviews630 reviews

    Boscombe Down Aviation Collection

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Old Sarum, Salisbury

    Collection of aircraft, cockpits, replicas and models weapons and trials equipment to show the story of flight and flight test in the UK.

    The cockpits are mostly open and you can sit in and use the controls.

  8. Marlborough College Summer School

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    Marlborough College Summer School

    Type

    Type:

    University / College

    Marlborough

    This extremely popular multi-generational learning experience will take place over four weeks between 11 July to 7 August 2021

  9. View inside REME around the world Half track Scout uniforms Cropped

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 117 reviews117 reviews

    REME Museum

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Chippenham

    The REME Museum displays the proud history of the Corps of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Wherever in the world the Army serves, there you will find REME.

  10. STEAM-Station Platform

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1555 reviews1555 reviews

    STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway

    Type

    Type:

    Museum

    Swindon

    Get up close to magnificent locomotives, be a signalman in the GWR interactive Signal Box and drive the steam train simulator as you travel through STEAM’s story-telling displays!

    STEAM tells the story of the men and women who built, operated and…

  11. Ancient Wiltshire monument Silbury Hill

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    Silbury Hill

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Marlborough

    An extraordinary artificial prehistoric mound, the largest Neolithic construction of its type in Europe.

  12. Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 14573 reviews14573 reviews

    Stonehenge

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Nr Amesbury

    Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, a World Heritage Site, surrounded by remains of ceremonial and domestic structures - some older than the monument itself.

  13. Stonehenge

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    Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site

    Type

    Type:

    Historic Site

    Wiltshire

    Stonehenge and Avebury are listed together as a single UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is famous for its instantly recognisable stone circles but there is far more to explore in these two remarkable landscapes.

  14. Wadworth Brewery

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 576 reviews576 reviews

    Wadworth Brewery, Tap and Shop

    Type

    Type:

    Brewery

    Devizes

    Family friendly, self guided Visitor Centre and interactive exhibition – Free entry
    On-site Sample bar with five cask ales on draught. 1/3 pint samples can be purchased.
    Traditional pub games are available to play in the bar.

  15. The Kenavon Venture

    Add The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Devizes to your Itinerary

    The Kennet & Avon Canal Trust Devizes

    Type

    Type:

    Canal / Waterway / Marina

    Couch Lane, Devizes

    The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust has been in existence for more than 50 years.

    At Devizes we have our Head Quarters, Canal side Museum, Boat trips, Café and gift shop.

  16. Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 6798 reviews6798 reviews

    Salisbury Cathedral and Magna Carta

    Type

    Type:

    Cathedral/Minster

    Salisbury

    Salisbury Cathedral has been a place of worship, welcome, and hospitality for over 800 years. Its Spire (the tallest in the country and a feat of medieval engineering) rises to a breath-taking 404ft/123m, guiding travelers, merchants, and pilgrims…

  17. Iford Manor Gardens

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 240 reviews240 reviews

    Iford Manor Gardens

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Iford, Near Bath

    Breathtakingly pretty 18th century manor surrounded by award-winning Italianate gardens.

  18. Caen Hill with three boats by Richard Jones

    Add Caen Hill Locks to your Itinerary

    Caen Hill Locks

    Type

    Type:

    Canal / Waterway / Marina

    DEVIZES

    On the Kennet & Avon Canal you will find beauty, history and nature. Tap into its stillness, enjoy a gentle adventure, share your boating stories at canal side cafes or pubs, and live in a space where time moves no faster than a stroll.

  19. Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre

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    Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre

    Type

    Type:

    Heritage/Visitor Centre

    PEWSEY

    Ever wanted to learn about crop circles? Or wanted to meet crop circle enthusiasts to share thoughts with? Or find out about the latest news? If so, come to the Crop Circle Exhibition & Information Centre at the brand new Honeystreet Mill Café at…

  20. Stourhead Gardens

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2607 reviews2607 reviews

    Stourhead - National Trust

    Type

    Type:

    Garden

    Stourton, Warminster

    Stourhead estate on the Wiltshire-Somerset border is the perfect day out for everyone.

    A breathtaking 18th century landscape garden with lakeside walks, grottoes and classical temples is only the beginning.

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