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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.

The Battle of Edington in 878AD was a major victory for Alfred the Great over the Vikings led by Guthrum. The victory was decisive, forcing Guthrum to withdraw from Wessex and agree to the division of England. The Three Daggers in Edington offers opportuities to explore the battlefield and provides guides and talks as well. 

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. Locomotive 6695 travelling over the river ray bridge

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 200 reviews200 reviews

    Swindon and Cricklade Railway

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    Steam Railway

    Blunsdon

    Wiltshire's only standard gauge heritage railway! Experience steam or diesel hauled train rides along our 1.75 mile railway line, witness locomotive restoration in our engine shed, visit our museum and gift shop and enjoy food and beverages in our…

  2. Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2845 reviews2845 reviews

    Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

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    Country Park/Nature Reserve

    Tetbury

    Arboretum with over 16,000 rare and beautiful trees, all set in 600 glorious, easy-to-stroll Cotswold acres

  3. St Thomas's Church Salisbury interior

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 354 reviews354 reviews

    St Thomas' Church

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    Salisbury

    Historic church in the heart of Salisbury city centre complete with medieval doom painting.

  4. American Museum & Gardens

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 831 reviews831 reviews

    American Museum & Gardens

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    Bath

    Journey through the history of America

  5. Parade House - costume

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 19 reviews19 reviews

    Parade House

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    Historic House/Palace

    Trowbridge

    A beautifully furnished Grade 1 Listed Georgian townhouse, now a prestigious venue for
    events, exhibitions, weddings & receptions in the historic heart of the County Town of
    Wiltshire, with its own stylish and luxurious bar and cinema. Open to the…

  6. Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 148 reviews148 reviews

    Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum

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    Museum

    Calne

    Motor museum with vintage, post-vintage and classic cars, including American models. The Museum also houses an impressive collection of Lorries, Motorcycles, Mopeds, Push bikes, a large selection of vehicle manuals and other archive material.

  7. Salisbury Arts Centre

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 47 reviews47 reviews

    Salisbury Arts Centre

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    Arts Centre

    Salisbury

    Salisbury Arts Centre is a multi-artform venue dedicated to making imaginations fly. From theatre and dance to music, comedy, film and exhibitions: discover a vibrant hub of arts activity housed in a beautiful deconsecrated church building.

  8. Westbury White Horse

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    Bratton Camp and Westbury White Horse

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    Historic Site

    Westbury

    A large iron age hill fort and white horse carved into the hillside.

  9. The Hall

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    The Hall

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    Heritage/Visitor Centre

    Bradford on Avon

    Magnificent Jacobean Hall and grounds hidden within the centre of Bradford on Avon. Home to the late Dr Alex Moulton, known best for his innovative engineering accomplishments such as the iconic Moulton Bicycle. Purchased by Stephen Moulton in 1848,…

  10. Calne Heritage Centre

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 12 reviews12 reviews

    Calne Heritage Centre

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    Heritage/Visitor Centre

    Calne

    The Calne Heritage Centre tells the story of Calne and the surrounding areas.

  11. Army Flying Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 514 reviews514 reviews

    Army Flying Museum

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    Museum

    Stockbridge

    Experience over 100 years of the Army in the Air. A fascinating and imaginative history of British soldiers in the air. Detailed dioramas, artefacts, trophies, trails, puzzles, games and simulators. Live Army Air Corps flying.

  12. Entrance to Chippenham Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 87 reviews87 reviews

    Chippenham Museum

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    Chippenham

    The Museum is housed in a fine 18th century grade II listed building. The displays tell the story of the historic market town from prehistoric times to the present day.

    Chippenham Museum open: Monday to Saturday 10am – 4pm
    Bank Holidays except…

  13. Avebury Stone Circle During Summer

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2496 reviews2496 reviews

    Avebury Stone Circle and Avebury Manor and Garden

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    Historic Site

    Marlborough

    The pretty village of Avebury nestles within the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.  Recognised for its globally important Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments, here you’ll find the world’s largest stone circle, stone avenues and ancient…

  14. Lacock Abbey, Village, and Fox Talbot Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1763 reviews1763 reviews

    Lacock Abbey, Village, and Fox Talbot Museum

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    Historic House/Palace

    Chippenham

    Lacock Abbey is a quirky country house, developed over the centuries around a former 13th century nunnery, and the birthplace of modern photography. It is set in spacious wooded grounds, with plenty of space to picnic, and is now recognisable from…

  15. The Pound Arts Centre

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 31 reviews31 reviews

    The Pound Arts Centre

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    Arts Centre

    Corsham

    The Pound arts centre, run by local charity Pound Arts, is the hub of Corsham’s arts offering, with three annual seasons of professional performances, film, participatory arts events and exhibitions.

  16. Kelmscott Manor

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 441 reviews441 reviews

    Kelmscott Manor

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    Historic House/Palace

    Nr Lechlade

    Kelmscott Manor was the inspirational country home of William Morris; poet, designer, craftsman, socialist and father of the Arts & Crafts movement. This Grade I Listed house was loved by Morris as a survival of traditional craftsmanship.

  17. McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 2283 reviews2283 reviews

    McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Swindon

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    Shop/Shopping Centre

    Swindon

    McArthurGlen's Swindon Designer Outlet lies within the beautifully renovated Grade II listed buildings of the Great Western Railway Works and is one of the largest covered designer outlets in Europe. 90 High St and Designer brands.

  18. The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

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    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 136 reviews136 reviews

    The Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum

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    Museum

    Salisbury

    The Museum tells the story of the infantryman from the Seven Years War to the present day. On the same site The Rifleman’s Table can provide you with coffee or lunch, and the garden is a place in which to wander or to relax in.

  19. St Peters Church Marlborough

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    St Peter's Church, Marlborough

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    Marlborough

    A community hub for the Arts and History hosting events, exhibitions and activities for its members, local residents and tourists.

  20. Town Hall Museum, Royal Wootton Bassett

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    Town Hall Museum Royal Wootton Bassett

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    Museum

    Royal Wootton Bassett

    Ever wondered what it was like when Wootton Bassett had its very own train station?

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