Top Things to do in Wiltshire
Top Hotels in Wiltshire
Countries
Top 10 Nature & Parks in Wiltshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Wiltshire, United Kingdom including TWIGS Community Gardens, Forest Falconry, West Woods, The Little Zoo, The Ridgeway National Trail, Ridgeway Path National Trail, Iford Manor: The Peto Garden, Stourhead House and Garden, Longleat, Savernake Forest.
Restaurants in Wiltshire
1. TWIGS Community Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
2. Forest Falconry
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 156 reviews
A Totally hands on adventure! Forest Falconry is based on our exclusive 12 acre woodland site, which is home to over 50 species of Birds of Prey, including Eagles, Owls, Hawks and Falcons. We aim to make your day with us truly memorable in a fun but informative way, with plenty of hands on, as you help train and fly these majestic creatures. 'Half day' and 'Full day adventures' available to book on our website. Gift vouchers are also available to purchase for that special person.
Reviewed By andyfI325MP
I had a fabulous day at Forest Falconry. Hanna and Stephen introduced us to many of their birds of prey, and they were very friendly and informative, we had hands-on flying the birds, I think my favourite was a white-faced Owl called Rafiki. I highly recommend this experience.
3. West Woods
4. The Little Zoo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By deborahbX8456RM
I would say this is the best animal experience I have ever had, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Nicky and Gary made us feel at home, he is an ex army dog trainer/handler, there is not a lot he doesn't know about dogs. It was great we were able to just do it in a small group ( 3 only) didn't get tacked onto a larger group, it makes such a difference, makes it personal. We met Cody, a wolfdog her temperament was lovely, took her for a walk (easy relaxed, loose lead no pulling) in the countryside for half hour, lovely! Gary kept us amused with anecdotes and we had lots of questions. We then saw the wolves ( Carpathian) over tea and cake. Then met the wolf cubs, which was fabulous, mad exuberant fun...We did a group howl (kids would love this bit!) great fun, I think we enjoyed it as much as the dogs! I would thoroughly recommend this, how often do you get your face cleaned by a wolf after all? :-)
5. The Ridgeway National Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
One of thirteen National Trails in England, this 85-mile recreation route takes visitors through some of the most scenic landscape in the country which passes or crosses many important archaeological and wildlife sites along the way.
Reviewed By Enkanear - Seattle, United States
A delightful autumn walk on the Ridgeway National Trail I walked the entire Ridgeway National Trail in England from Overton Hill near Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon near Tring (87 miles, 140 km) over 7 ½ days in the autumn of 2019. I carried a 20 lb pack, wore MerrelI low-cut hiking boots, used one walking stick (mostly to fend off dogs), and carried the map pages from the Trailblazer guide. I was lucky, the weather was especially nice with only a couple of hours of rain. Overall, the Ridgeway is a great walk, especially the sections along the River Thames and Grim’s Ditch. The only negative is that motorcycles and automobiles are allowed on some sections of the western half of the Ridgeway, making for clouds of dust. The most helpful thing I can do for readers planning this long-distance walk is to recommend places to stay. The night before I started the walk, I stayed at Dorwyn B&B just outside Avebury. One of the best B&Bs I have experienced. Very well-run and the nice family gave me a ride to Overton Hill in the morning. After 16 km, I stayed at the Inn with a Well (really does have an ancient well under glass in the lobby) in Osbourne St. George. Good food, nice hosts, but right next to the busy A346. Another 14 km and I arrived at an exemplary B&B/hotel, the Royal Oak in Bishopston. The room in a new building was very comfortable, and the food (especially the pork) from their own farm was great. A nice walk of 16 km and I’m at the Greyhound Inn at Letcombe Regis. A bit of a long steep trek down off the ridge from Segsbury Camp into LR, but the reward is another friendly B&B/hotel. Great service, real ale and food, with offers of rides to and from the property by Christina. I met friends there and, thankfully, the next morning we drove up to the Ridgeway and walked together for a couple of hours. This was a full day of walking 24 km to the Streatley YHA property. Horizontal rain during the last hour got me soaked, so I took refuge at a golf course club house, where a gentleman bought me a beer. The hostel is basic, inexpensive, clean and close to the shops of Goring-on-Thames. A wonderful, level, scenic walk of another 24 km brought me to Watlington. My choice of an Airbnb unit here was not satisfactory, so you are on your own. This disappointment was more than made up for after an 18 km walk to the Ridgeway Lodge right on the trail and just shy of Princes Risborough. This is a fabulous property with great rooms (ask for the upstairs room), views, and a comfortable, separate high-tech common space for guests which includes cooking facilities. The incredibly hospitable hosts that provided tea and cake upon arrival and a full English breakfast are also willing to drive you to the M&S shop in PR for dinner supplies. I can’t praise the Ridgeway Lodge enough. I want to stay there again as soon as I can. Now, here is how you set up the final and steepest day without a pack using a two-night stay. From PR I walked 20 km to Wiggington, was picked up by my nice Airbnb hosts (‘Aldbury room with a view’), driven to the local M&S for supplies, enjoyed a clean quiet room and nice breakfast, was driven back to Wiggington in the morning without pack, and finished the last somewhat challenging 10 km atop Ivinghoe Beacon. I walked back to Tring station and was picked up again by my helpful hosts. I then enjoyed a jovial dinner with them, another fine breakfast, and was driven back to Tring station for a mid-morning train to London. This walk was done in style, thanks to the gracious English people! What a great adventure. Highly recommended. This is my 8th long-distance walk in Europe. I’m 71 years old. If I can do it, you can do it.
6. Ridgeway Path National Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
7. Iford Manor: The Peto Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Internationally renowned, Grade 1 listed, Italianate gardens designed by Harold Peto, who made Iford his home from 1899-1933. Characterised by terraces, pools, statuary cloisters and remarkable rural views, the garden is an archetype of its period and a historic design gem. The present owners have restored and today maintain the historic gardens and the ethos of their original designer through modern borders blended with historic plantings, and today welcome visitors to their home five days a week, with coach visits available outside normal hours. A housekeeper's tearoom serves homemade cakes and light refreshments at weekends and there is a cake-of-the-day during weekdays at the entrance desk. The gardens are steeply terraced, partially accessible to disabled visitors, who are recommended to call ahead for assistance. The gardens are not well suited to children because of unfenced ponds and other hazards. The owners are keen to protect a tranquil environment for visitors.
Reviewed By 954gemm - Bath, United Kingdom
It's not by chance we chose to move to Bradford-on-Avon - it's surrounded by beautiful places such as this! Albeit it's not a massive space, the grounds are stunning. We had one of the best experiences ever meeting one of their cats and him showing us around on my birthday. We really enjoyed the variety of the gardens, with an Asian themed area for example, and some quintessentially British parts etc. Visit at different times to enjoy different aspects for sure, and stop for a nice slice of cake and loose leaf teas if you get time.
8. Stourhead House and Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,507 reviews
Stourhead includes a Palladian house and world-famous landscape garden. The garden is perhaps the most beautiful and magical of all the great landscape gardens, Stourhead is an 18th-century view of an Arcadian paradise. On a plateau of high ground Stourhead house was built and became home to generations of the Hoare family.
Reviewed By Jeff1903 - King's Lynn, United Kingdom
There is a mansion in the Palladian style, gardens and extensive grounds. Admission is a touch expensive, but the chances are that you are already a National Trust member, but if you are not, it's worth considering especially as it will also save you £4 parking charges. I thought the house was fascinating, but excessively adorned and it gives the impression that quantity was more important than quality when bringing back stuff from the Grand Tour. However there are some gems like a John Piper painting and a Fredrick Leighton portrait. The grounds are magnificent and you are forever coming across temples or follies among the specimen trees and other plants as you walk round the lake. Picnics seem popular and the ice house is the best preserved I can remember seeing. Add in the gardens, shop, café and gallery and there is enough to do here for a whole day. Bear in mind that there is a good deal of walking, much of it up and down steep paths, so it could be a challenge for some and either wait for good weather or bring your waterproofs.
9. Longleat
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,728 reviews
Reviewed By Speckycatlady - Cardiff, United Kingdom
With endless attractions, you need at least one full day to visit Longleat and explore,. The Safari is great fun and the free Safari app provides an informative commentary while viewing the animals - make sure to unscrew your aerial before you visit the monkey enclosure! We spent at least an hour driving around the safari. Enjoy a boat trip to feed the sealions, handle some exotic creatures in the Jungle Kingdom, pet some farm animals in the petting farm, feed nectar to the lorikeets and experience the bat cave. Longleat country house is beautiful to explore, as are the grounds. Round off the day with food at one of the many food establishments on site, and take a train ride around the outskirts of the park before leaving.
10. Savernake Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 153 reviews
Reviewed By 5cruffy - Swindon, United Kingdom
Ignore the Postern Hill car park (busy) and head for Grand Avenue (signposted off A4 leaving Marlborough to the East at the top of the hill just past the hospital). There are so many footpaths from well surfaced through well trodden to rarely used. Try to visit the Saddle Oaks and Spider Oak at least (nearly 1,000 years old). The monument to George III is worth a short stop. There is a lovely Arboretum half way down the avenue on the right with small clumps of mainly pine varieties including Redwoods. If you visit in September/October, watch out for numerous pheasants and deer. Green woodpeckers can be seen if you're lucky. You can always find space away from other walkers. We use maps.me to find the paths and it hasn't let us down.
