Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Avebury Manor
Initially built as a monastery, the manor house has been much altered over the centuries with Queen Anne alterations and Edwardian renovation. The current buildings date from the early 16th century. The attached formal medieval style flower gardens contain examples of topiary. Opening times: House: Apr~Oct, Sun-Tue, 2pm to 4.40pm, BH Mon 2pm to 5.30pm. Garden: Apr~Oct daily (ex Wed & Thu) 11am to 5pm. Admission Charge Location: Avebury High Street - SN8 1RF, Tel: 01672 539250 - Run by National Trust. Facilities: Parking (charged), caf, restaurant, toilets.
A fine 17th century house part designed by architect Robert Adam. It was here in 1774 that Dr Joseph Priestley discovered the existence of oxygen. The house is surrounded by elegant terraced gardens, leading to a 40-acre lake and extensive landscaped parkland, laid out in 1760 by Capability Brown. Opening times: House: mid Apr~Oct, daily 11am to 6pm. Gardens: 6 weeks during mid Apr to early Jun, 11am to 6pm Admission Charge Location: Calne - SN11 O1Z, Tel: 01249 812102 Facilities: Parking, caf, toilets, shop.
Forest of Clarendon
Known to the Romans and a favourite hunting grounds for Norman and Medieval kings, this ancient forest once stretched to the eastern edge of Salisbury.
Corsham Court
A privately owned Elizabethan manor. Built in 1582, it was later purchased by the Methuen family in the 18th century to house their extensive collection of paintings and statues, which are still on show within. The house also contains some splendid furniture by Chippendale, Adam, Cobb and Johnson. The surrounding parkland was designed by Capability Brown, and the garden contains many flowering shrubs, herbaceous borders, plus a Georgian bath house. Opening times: 20th Mar~Sep daily (ex Mon & Fri), but incl BHs, 2pm to 5.30pm; Oct~Mar open weekends only 2pm to 4.30pm (closed Xmas) Admission Charge Location: Corsham, SN13 OBZ, Tel: 01249 701610 Facilities: Parking, toilets, shop, disabled facilities.
Heale Gardens
The 16th century house and its 8 acres of beautiful gardens, which spread along the banks of the River Avon, have remained unchanged over the centuries. The formal hedged and walled gardens contain a varied collection of plants, shrubs and musk roses. There is also a tranquil Japanese water garden. Opening times: Feb~Oct, Wed to Sun & Bh Mon, 10am to 5pm Admission Charge Location: Middle Woodford, Wiltshire SP4 6NT, Tel: 01722 782504 Facilities: Parking, caf, plant centre, shop, wheelchair access.
The Kennet and Avon Canal is a major UK waterway running from Reading to Bristol joining the navigable sections of the Kennet and Avon Rivers into a single course. The waterway runs for almost 90 miles, with over 100 locks, two aqueducts and a tunnel. The canal passes through some of the most pleasant scenery in Southern England, including the elegant city of Bath. The waterway also has two historical pumping stations, including the Crofton steam pumping engines near Marlborough. The canal is popular with pleasure craft and there are several boatyards where boats can be purchased, serviced or hired for short breaks. For example, the Boatyard at Hilperton operates a self-drive day boat. The Boatyard, Hilperton. Tel: 01225 710017
Longleat
One of England's most beautiful Elizabethan style stately homes. This ancestral home of the Thynne family was built by Sir John Thynne circa 1580. The internal decor is mainly 19th century, with Flemish tapestries, fine French furniture and elaborate ceilings by John Dibblee Crace. The 900 acres of grounds and parkland were famously landscaped by 'Capability' Brown.
The main visitor attraction is the safari park - the first of its kind in Britain. The park is home to hundreds of wild animals that roam in the natural woodland and parkland surrounding the house, including Longleat's famous pride of lions. Other attractions include a Hedge Maze, Adventure Castle, Jungle Kingdom, narrow gauge Railway, Pet Zoo, children's rides and a boating lake. Opening times: daily Apr till 5 Nov, from 10am (closing times vary) Admission Charge Location: Longleat BA12 7NW, Tel: 01985 844400 Facilities: Parking, caf, restaurant, wheelchair access, shop, toilets.
Ludgershall Castle
Ruins of an early Normal castle. The medieval earthworks still remain topped by the crumbling flint walls of a later royal hunting palace. The stump of a medieval cross still stands in the main village street. Opening times: at any reasonable time Free Entry Location: Ludgershall SP11 9QR - Run by English Heritage Facilities: Parking, wheelchair access.
Lydiard Park
Large Country Park in the outskirts of Swindon - once belonging to the St John family (Viscounts Bolingbroke). It was purchased in 1943 by the Swindon Borough Council, who have since restored it and opened it to the public. Parking and entry to park area is free. Entry charge for house and walled garden. Opening times: all year, House: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm (winter 4pm). Park: all year, daily closing at dusk each day Admission Charge to house & garden Location: Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon SN5 3PA, Tel: 01793 770401 Facilities: Parking, caf, shop, wheelchair access, toilets.
Mompesson House
A magnificent Queen Anne house with stucco ceilings, plasterwork wall frames, pedimented door cases, carved oak staircases, period furniture and many fine art paintings.
Opening times: Mar~Oct, Sat to Wed, 11am to 5pm. Admission Charge Location: The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EL, Tel: 01722 420980 - Run by the National Trust Facilities: Parking (250 metres), caf, wheelchair access, shop, toilets.
Old Sarum
A 56 acre hill fort (2 miles north of Salisbury) containing the abandoned medieval town of Old Sarum. This once bustling town was occupied from the Iron Age up until the 16th century. Visitors to the site can view the ruins of a Norman castle, old cathedral and bishop's palace. The site was abandoned due to water shortages and the occupants moved further south to build the city of New Sarum (or Salisbury). Spectacular views are available from the forts ramparts across the Wiltshire countryside to the 'new' cathedral in the centre of Salisbury. Opening times: times vary see website or call for details Admission Charge Location: 2 miles north of Salisbury SP1 3SD, Tel: 01722 335398 Facilities: Parking, shop, wheelchair access to outer bailey and grounds only.
Salisbury Cathedral
Built between 1220 and 1258, the Cathedral is one of Britain's finest surviving examples of Gothic architecture. The 404 ft (123 m) tall spire (the tallest in England) is one of the most painted subjects by water colourists. The Chapter House houses the finest surviving Magna Carta. The nearby 'Cathedral Close' contains several museums open to the public. Opening times: daily 7.15 am to 6.15pm Donation Req. Location: 33 The Close, Salisbury SP1 2EJ
Tel: 01722 555120 Facilities: Parking (100 metres), caf, restaurant, shop, disabled facilities.
Salisbury Plain
Located 12 miles (19 km) north of Salisbury City, the plain is a vast area of chalk grassland that supports a broad range of wildlife, many species of which are on the endangered list. A large area of the plain has now been designated as a Special Area Conservation (SAC) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The area is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and used for military maneuvers. Access to many areas is therefore restricted and visitors and walkers must stick to the way marked routes.
Savernake Forest
Stretching over 4,000 acres, Savernake Forest just to the east of Marlborough, is a lovely place for nature walks. It was once the largest forest in Britain, covering some 40,000 acres, and a favourite hunting grounds for Norman kings. The ancient woodland is still privately owned and was restored and partly landscaped in the 18th century by Capability Brown, who created several grand tree lined avenues through the forest. Also scattered among the deep woods are green glades and open scrubland, laden with wildflowers such as primrose, anemone and wood sorrel. Among the forest's fauna are fallow, roe and muntjac deer, which can often be seen feeding at dusk in quiet places.
Located in the centre of Swindon, in the old Brunel workshops, this railway museum provides a fascinating day out for both children and steam train enthusiasts alike. The various exhibits tell the story of Britain's Great Western Railway, including several world famous locomotives, archive film footage and a reconstructed station platform that recreates the glamour and excitement of the golden age of steam. Opening times: daily 10am to 5pm (closed Xmas hols) Admission Charge Location: Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2TA
Tel: 01793 466646 Facilities: Parking (100 metres, charged), shop, wheelchair access, toilets.
Stonehenge
Probably Britain's best known and greatest prehistoric monument. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What remains on the site today are the substantial remains of the last in a series of henges erected between around 2000 BC. Opening times: times vary, see website or call for details Admission Charge Location: SP4 7DE, Tel: 01980 624715 Run by English Heritage Facilities: Parking, caf, shop, wheelchair access.
Westwood Manor
Originally built in the late 15th-century, this fine small stone manor house was updated in the early 17th century. It has late Gothic and Jacobean windows and fine decorative plasterwork. Within there is much fine period furniture and some 17/18th-century tapestries. It is adjoined by a beautiful topiary garden.
Opening times: Apr~Sep, Tue, Wed & Sun, 2pm to 5pm Admission Charge Location: Westwood BA15 2AF, Tel: 01225 863374 - Run by National Trust Facilities: Parking, wheelchair access.
White Horses
The chalk hills in Wiltshire have several horses (and other shapes) carved into the grass surface of the hillside so that the underlying chalk shows through. The oldest is located on the north-west scarp of Salisbury Plain. There are also two in Pewsey Vale, one on Hackpen Hill, one on the downs above Broadtown, one on hill above Cherhill and one near Marlborough.
Wilton House
Once home to the Earls of Pembroke for some 400 years, this fabulous Palladian mansion is rich in historic associations, with visitors such as Shakespeare and Charles I. Built in 1540 by 1st Earl of Pembroke, its magnificent south front was added in the 17th century with designs by Indigo Jones, who also designed the 8 splendid state rooms. However, its piece de resistance is the exquisite Double Cube Room, whose decorations and proportions have never ceased to amaze visitor. The traditional and modern gardens remain fabulous throughout all seasons and are a delight to visit at any time of year. Opening times: Apr~Oct, daily, 10.30am to 5.30 pm (House closed Mon, ex BHs) Admission Charge Location: Wilton SP2 OBJ, Tel: 01722 746720 Facilities: Parking, caf, wheelchair access, shop, garden centre.
Woodhenge
Part of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, woodhenge is an ancient Neolithic monument dating from approx. 2300 BC. The site consisted of 6 concentric oval rings of timber posts (marked today by concrete posts). The long axis of the site points to the rising sun on Midsummer Day. Opening times: all reasonable times Free Entry Location: 1.5 miles north of Amesbury - Run by English Heritage Facilities: Parking, wheelchair access.