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Day 1

Salisbury to Bowood

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 1

Explore Salisbury Cathedral

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Start your journey in historic Salisbury, and explore the beautiful medieval city in the countryside. Top of your to-do list should be the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral – one of the best things to do in Wiltshire – to discover its 900 years of history. The cathedral is also home to the Magna Carta. Pre-book a Cathedral and 1215 Magna Carta Tour to ensure entry.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 1

Discover the original city

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours

Next, head just outside of Salisbury, to its original predecessor – Old Sarum. This English Heritage site is one of the top things to do in Wiltshire, as it combines a medieval castle with an Iron Age fort and a Roman settlement. Come for the views and beautiful photo opportunities, but stay for the tangible, spine-tingling history.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 1

Having a roaring good time

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2.5 hours

Photo by: liammundayphotography

Longleat House, Wiltshire

After all that history, motor over to Longleat where you can take a self-drive or walking safari to see its famous lions, visit the stately home and get lost in its giant hedge maze. Longleat is one of the most popular things to do in Wiltshire, with good reason.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 1

Spot the white horse

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 0.5 hour
  • Free

Wave goodbye to the lions – it’s time to head north. On the way, you’ll pass the Bratton Camp Iron Age Hill Fort and the Westbury White Horse, the most famous of Wiltshire’s white horses. If you want to get up close, there’s a car park at the hill fort, a great place to visit for photos.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 1

Wine and dine at Bowood

  • Accommodation
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

Photo by: Bowood

An aerial photo of a large hotel and other buildings surrounded by a golf course. Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort - Silver award winner for Large Hotel of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023.

Finally, rest and refuel in comfort at the luxurious Bowood Hotel and Spa – in the grounds of the grand Bowood House. You can dine in one of its gourmet restaurants, book a spa treatment, or even squeeze in a round of golf. And don’t forget to toast your adventure with a Bowood Botanicals gin!

Lacock to Castle Combe

1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2
1 Trip item 1 of 5 for day 2

Explore magical Lacock

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Photo by: National Trust Images/John Mill

Visitors at Lacock Abbey and Village, Wiltshire

Begin the day in medieval Lacock, a National Trust village that’s famous as the setting for Harry Potter and Downton Abbey – and is one of the most popular things to do in Wiltshire. You can find Harry’s parents’ house and other key sites with a little help from the National Trust’s map, or follow the Lacock Lovers Walk for a romantic stroll.

2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2
2 Trip item 2 of 5 for day 2

Head to Hogwarts, aka Lacock Abbey

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours

Photo by: National Trust Images/James Dobson

Visitors exploring the medieval cloisters at Lacock Abbey and village, Wiltshire

While you’re in Lacock, don’t miss another treat for Harry Potter and history fans – Lacock Abbey. This National Trust house was built on the site of a nunnery, and also doubled as Hogwarts in the wizarding movies. It has beautiful grounds and a tea room, and is one of the top things to do in Wiltshire.

3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2
3 Trip item 3 of 5 for day 2

Get lunch at Bradford-on-Avon

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours

Photo by: VisitBritain

Rear view of woman and dog in a rowboat on canal

Next, head to romantic Bradford-on-Avon, on the edge of the Cotswolds. This picturesque town and its 13th Century bridge is a popular place to visit, full of pubs, cafés and restaurants. You can take to the river and hire a paddle board or canoe, or enjoy a picturesque walk along the banks.

4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2
4 Trip item 4 of 5 for day 2

Call in at Castle Combe

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Photo by: Shutterstock / LC_Captures

Blue skies and reflections in the picturesque Cotswold village of Castle Combe.

Castle Combe is so picture-perfect, that it regularly appears on screen – in movies such as War Horse and Stardust. Take a stroll around its honey-coloured buildings and winding streets: one of the best walks in Wiltshire, especially when it’s followed by a pint at gastro-pub The Castle Inn.

5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2
5 Trip item 5 of 5 for day 2

Try Michelin-starred dining

  • Eatery
  • Suggested time at location: 2 hours

For a special end to your day, book a table at Bybrook and stay overnight in The Manor House – a 14th Century hotel with Italianate gardens. It’s one of three Michelin-starred places to eat in Wiltshire, alongside The Dining Room in Whatley Manor and Restaurant Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park.

Malmesbury to Stonehenge

1 Trip item 1 of 4 for day 3
1 Trip item 1 of 4 for day 3

Wander around ancient Malmesbury

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jess Barfield

Mother and sons standing in garden in front of a tall hedge

Kick off your morning in the historic market town of Malmesbury, England’s oldest borough. Home to many interesting things to do in Wiltshire, you can wander its high street and 12th Century Abbey, explore Iron Age history at the Athelstan Museum, and stroll among the sweet-scented roses at Abbey House Manor.

2 Trip item 2 of 4 for day 3
2 Trip item 2 of 4 for day 3

Call into Chippenham

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1 hour
  • Free

Your next stop is Chippenham, a pretty town on the banks of the River Avon. Explore its streets and take a ramble alongside the river, then stock up on small-batch coffee at Coffee Gems artisan roasters. If you have time, join a tasting experience or barista masterclass – a treat for all coffee lovers.

3 Trip item 3 of 4 for day 3
3 Trip item 3 of 4 for day 3

Be awed by Avebury

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 1.5 hours
  • Free

Now it’s time to meet some of Wiltshire’s most famous residents – its stones. First visit Avebury, the stone circle which wraps around the village, and marvel at this free site which is often overlooked for its more famous sibling of Stonehenge. This is also a superb spot to stretch your legs on some of the best walks in Wiltshire.

4 Trip item 4 of 4 for day 3
4 Trip item 4 of 4 for day 3

See Stonehenge

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2.5 hours

Photo by: VisitBritain/English Heritage/Stephen Spraggon

Large stone pillars arranged in circle on grass

Finally, we’ve come full circle – pun intended – to end the trip at world-famous Stonehenge. It’s one of the most popular places to visit in the UK, so booking is essential: you can walk the prehistoric stone circles, come face-to-face with a 5,500-year-old man, and step into a Neolithic village on Stonehenge tours.

Top Tip - Wiltshire's White Horse

  • Sightseeing
  • Suggested time at location: 2.5 hours

Whether in Westbury, Cherhill, Pewsey or beyond, see if you can spot all eight of Wiltshire’s white horses chalked into the countryside.

Find more things to do in Wiltshire

Photo by: liammundayphotography

Longleat House, Wiltshire

Find more places to visit in South West England

Explore one of England’s lesser-known national parks, known for its wild ponies, unspoilt coastline and starry skies.

Photo by: Getty Images / Martyn Ferry

A horse wandering through purple heather in the countryside.

Take a three-day walking holiday along Cornwall’s South West Coast Path discovering secluded islands, colourful fishing villages and famous art galleries.

Photo by: Kevin Britland/Alamy Stock Photo

Flower fields leading up to a pretty beach and turquoise sea

Discover the best restaurants in Bristol, immersive museums and upscale shopping in Clifton on a weekend break.

Photo by: Getty Images/Mint Images

Rear view of a man standing on a paddleboard in a harbour at dawn.