Top Things to do in Wiltshire
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Top 10 Specialty Museums in Wiltshire, England
Discover the best top things to do in Wiltshire, United Kingdom including Boscombe Down Aviation Collection, Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock Abbey, Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum, Wiltshire Museum, Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum, STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Arundells, Bradford on Avon Museum, Swindon & Cricklade Railway, Richard Jefferies Museum.
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1. Boscombe Down Aviation Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 582 reviews
Whether you're a serious aviation enthusiast or a kid who wants to sit in fast jet cockpits, this is for you! Please note - We are at Old Sarum Airfield - NOT at the Boscombe Down airfield.
Reviewed By thorpoticus - Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
What a fantastic place to get up close to a large part of Britain’s military aviation history Most of the cockpits are open and you are allowed to climb inside and use the controls The staff are very friendly and informative with anything you may want to know Recommended for kids of all ages(I’m 59) If you’re near Salisbury this is a must!
2. Fox Talbot Museum at Lacock Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 617 reviews
Reviewed By 504loisw - Neath Port Talbot, United Kingdom
Very interesting exhibition on the history of photography and although some of the actual processes went a little over my head I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Upstairs there is currently a gallery with an artists impressions of some of the themes in Alice Through the Looking Glass, quite eerie but very clever, well worth a look although I'm not sure how long it is on for. The Abbey was closed when we went but we had a look around the cloisters (some parts of Harry Potter were filmed there) really interesting reading some of the notices placed around about the history. The town of Lacock itself is something well worth exploring, lots of little shops tucked away here and there selling local crafts and food. The bakery had some amazing looking pasties and cakes. We'll be going back again to see the Abbey sometime, very interesting history to it all. There is also a large picnic area and playing field for children.
3. Rifles Berkshire and Wiltshire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
A military museum for the infantry regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire from 1743 to the present day. Please note we close annually during the months of December and January.
Reviewed By mickczl
Really interesting museum, very informative and huge number of artefacts from the eras of the various campaigns, together with supporting explanation. Also brilliant value for money. Those interested in military history could easily spend an agreeable afternoon here; even the casual visitor will find an hour too little.
4. Wiltshire Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 367 reviews
COVID-19 Update: Please book in advance from website. The Museum tells 500,000 years of Wiltshire's story told in award-winning galleries featuring high quality graphics and leading-edge reconstructions.* Gold from the time of Stonehenge- On display for the first time are dozens of spectacular treasures dating to the time of Stonehenge and worn by people who worshiped inside the stone circle.* Lots for children too- Follow Archie and Ollie on a gallery trail, build Stonehenge, examine the evidence under a microscope and try on Bronze Age clothes. * Saxon Wiltshire - the Making of the Kingdom of Wessex. New gallery featuring spectacular finds from pagan Saxon burials and evidence of the beginnings of Christianity in Wiltshire. * The Devizes Story - telling the fascinating story of our town - Devizes Castle, the Civil War Battle of Roundway and the bustling Georgian market town.
Reviewed By Squire2014 - London, United Kingdom
I've passed this museum many times and finally got to visit it. It's a super place and the staff were most welcoming. It has a wide range of prehistoric artefacts, in particular from the Bronze Age. Finds from local sights include some exquisite gold pieces. The local history is interesting, while the Anglo-Saxon room contains some rare pieces. I rather rushed round but do allow more time.
5. Atwell-Wilson Motor Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
The museum has an impressive collection of classic cars, as well as Lorries, Motorcycles, Mopeds, Push bikes, a large selection of vehicle manuals and other archive material, and a large collection of motor memorabilia.
Reviewed By 855PhilD - Royal Wootton Bassett, United Kingdom
A nice little museum with interesting exhibits, I got the feeling that you could go back many times and see different details each visit. The museum is small with probably less than 100 cars but they are well presented and the whole museum is very well kept.
6. STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,512 reviews
Reviewed By titanicjoyrider - Bracknell, United Kingdom
This museum is a must for any steam heads or fans of railways and locomotives! Situated in the old GWR works in Swindon, right next to the new outlet shopping centre it is perfectly located for ease of access! The museum is full of exhibits and hands on activities that charts the history of the GWR and the role of Swindon in the railways from inception up to the present day! Information is clearly displayed and presented in an easily digested format that gives you just enough to come away having learned something, but not too much that you loose interest. However, what most people will come for are the static exhibits and trains themselves, of which there are plenty to look at! From small practical tank engines to the more famous crack express trains the museum houses them all in context surrounded by authentic paraphernalia from the period in question! Of particular note are the King Class: George V and City Class: City of Truro (first train to do 100mph) our of which are on loan from the National Railway Museum! Highlights and plus points: Excellent attractions Loads to see and do Family friendly Accessible to all Trains galore Perfect for anyone Near to the shops Negative points: Not enough time in the day to see everything! Overall highly recommended, it’s a must see and do and you will not be disappointed!
7. Arundells
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 324 reviews
Bringing together six architectural periods, Arundells is one of the finest houses in Salisbury’s Cathedral Close, with parts of the property dating back to the 13th Century. It was acquired in 1985 by Sir Edward Heath KG MBE, Prime Minister, Statesman, sailor and musician, who bequeathed Arundells to the Charitable Foundation set up in his name following his death in 2005. Arundells is presented today as it was when Sir Edward lived here, with gifts from leaders such as Nixon, Chairman Mao and Fidel Castro sitting alongside beautiful collections of ceramics, glassware and sculpture. Arundells hosts a number of events and exhibitions throughout the year, including outdoor theatre, historical and political talks and intimate concerts. We are also available for private events and parties. Please visit our website or Facebook page for more details.
Reviewed By GadgetGalG - Woburn Sands, United Kingdom
Arrived at 12:30 and when we left the house and checked our watches, we were amazed to see it was 16:30. For four hours we had wandered the house, delighted by the room stewards who had such fascinating insights and information, we were just enthralled. We learned so much and left with a much deeper understanding of both Sir Edward Heath and his life and interests as well as the politics of the time and the relationships between Sir Edward and other political figures. The political cartoons were hilarious. The house felt really lovely and you could really imagine living there. So pleased to have seen this.
8. Bradford on Avon Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By hotelsavvy007 - London, United Kingdom
A wonderful little museum right in the heart of Town above the Library, fascinating insight into the history of the town and the Old Pharmacy that was taken out of the main Pharmacy in town and rebuilt inside the museum is lovely
9. Swindon & Cricklade Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 177 reviews
Wiltshire's Only Standard Gauge Heritage Railway. We offer round-trip passenger journeys of approximately 4.5 miles with heritage trains running between Blunsdon and Hayes Knoll, plus an extension south to Taw Valley Halt at Mouldon Hill Country Park within the Borough of Swindon.
Reviewed By 543DavidB - Swindon, United Kingdom
Visited today with our three grandchildren, what an excellent experience, staff were very helpful, we caught the train from ‘taw valley holt’ in mouton park up to blunsdon where we changed trains to go up to the engine shed to Santa’s grotto. Staff were excellent and showed the children the fire box in the can that made the steam for the train, santa’s Helpers in the shape of ‘Mr Snowman’ the ‘Elf’ and other helpers were again excellent and the children loved them, my two year old was continually waving to ‘bing’ the naughty elf on a shelf from home . The grotto was also very good with the singing reindeer and Santa too the time to talk to the children and magically produced their gifts from behind his back. Our three grandchildren (7,5,&2) throughly enjoyed th whole experience. Well done to the S&C railway staff/volunteers for putting on a great experience. Will definitely be back next year for the Santa special as well as other events , well done ! ????????
