Top 8 Wiltshire Attractions for all the Family

 

Wiltshire is a quiet place, but there’s plenty to do in this green and grassy part of South West England. Whether you’ve come for world-class heritage sites like Stonehenge and Salisbury Cathedral or fancy something a bit more off the beaten track, there are oodles of things to do in Wiltshire for all ages and interests. 

Wiltshire's top attractions for you and your family

This county is, quite rightly, a very popular destination for families travelling with kids. As well as providing them with ample space to run around in, there's a wide range of family-friendly things to do in Wiltshire to help keep the small ones smiling. 

Longleat Safari Park, Warminster

We can only imagine what the locals must have thought of Lord Bath when he opened Britain's first safari park here back in 1966. Today, though, Longleat is one of Wiltshire's most popular attractions, much loved by residents and visitors alike.

This trailblazing zoo is best known for its drive-through enclosures, where it's possible to see big cats, wolves, antelope and other big game roaming within full view of your car. The result is unforgettable, and everyone visiting Wiltshire should experience Longleat Safari Park at least once. Steer well clear of monkey territory, though, unless you're happy to invest in a new pair of windscreen wipers after…

As well as the drive-through safari park, guests can explore the world's longest hedge maze, walk through enclosures with bats, lemurs and other smaller creatures and see Longleat House, an attractive Elizabethan country house with spectacular interiors. 

Browse family-friendly Wiltshire campsites and holiday parks near Longleat

STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon 

Who doesn't love a good steam train? At STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway, visitors can see a bevy of lovingly-maintained locomotives in an attractive Grade II-listed railway building. 

This museum tells the story of the people who built, drove on and used the Great Western Railway – England's most important East-West line and brainchild of Victorian engineering titan Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

The museum fully captures the romance and the reality of life on the railways – the kids may especially appreciate interactive features like a mock-up GWR signal box and life-size train simulator. 

STEAM - Museum of the Great Western Railway is easily accessible either by rail from Swindon station or via the M4. 

After more heritage? Browse Wiltshire's best historic sites here.

Wiltshire’s best towns and villages

Wiltshire is very fortunate when it comes to its landscape – three areas of outstanding natural beauty straddle the county's borders, and day trips to the New Forest National Park can be easily organised if you're based around Salisbury and southern Wiltshire. 

As you explore Wiltshire's spectacular scenery, make sure to stop off in the many market towns and picture-postcard villages that you're sure to come across en route. If you'd like to plan your itinerary in advance, keep reading for an overview of three of our favourite Wiltshire towns and villages.

Devizes

Located in the middle of the county and sandwiched between the North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds, the sizeable market town of Devizes is well worth a detour. Keep your eyes peeled for the larger than life White Horse that's etched on the hillside as you approach the town, and once you're here make sure to earmark a few hours for strolls along the peaceful Kennet and Avon Canal. 

Other top attractions in Devizes include the grand grounds of Devizes Castle, a handful of tiny award-winning art galleries, and Wadworth Brewery, which still delivers its wares by horse more than a century and a half after first opening its doors. If you've already visited Stonehenge and Avebury, you can also see more Bronze and Stone Age relics at the Wiltshire Museum, an independent attraction managed by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. 

Find a quiet campsite near Devizes, Wiltshire

Cricklade 

The tiny town of Cricklade has history in every nook and cranny, with two medieval churches, an old priory and a distinctive town clock built on the occasion of Victoria's Diamond Jubilee among its highlights. 

Cricklade is also a paradise for walkers and is on the Thames Path, just a few miles from the source of the river at Kemble, a remote village just over the border in Gloucestershire.

A short walk outside of town, there's also Cricklade North Meadow, a gorgeous old haymaking area that's now a national nature reserve. Butterflies thrive in this carefully protected environment, and in the summer months it's common to see rare fritillaries fluttering through the foliage.

Find a spot to camp near Cricklade and the Cotswold Water Park

Crofton 

Our last pick is the tiny settlement of Crofton, a hamlet deep in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that punches well above its weight in terms of history and heritage. 

Close to the ancient market town of Marlborough, Crofton is home to two steam-powered beam engines that date back around 200 years. Originally installed to service the adjacent Kennet and Avon Canal, the Boulton and Watt engine housed in the local museum is the oldest working beam engine in the world.

After visiting the Grade I-listed engine house, take a stroll along the canal and learn more about its locks, or take a short walk or drive through the countryside to the nearby Wilton Windmill in the next village. 

Enjoying the country views? Explore the best places to see spring bluebells in Wiltshire here. 

Wiltshire’s finest country houses

Wiltshire has well over a dozen castles, grand country houses and National Trust properties to see. Here, we take a look at just two of our favourites, both of which are owned by the families that have lived in them for hundreds of years. 

Bowood House, Calne

Bowood House and Gardens is a grand Georgian mansion set in landscaped grounds designed by Capability Brown. This historic house is where Joseph Priestley first identified oxygen in 1774 and has a whole host of interesting rooms that can be visited on a guided tour. 

Afterwards, take tea at the café, let the kids blow off some steam at the adventure playground or head into the gardens to wander around at your leisure or embark on an intimate tour with the estate's head gardener. All in all, there are around 100 acres to explore here, with highlights including formal gardens, terraces and a secluded walled garden (guided visits available monthly; book in advance). 

Browse our range of Wiltshire glamping and reserve a fittingly regal residence near Bowood House

Wilton House, Salisbury

For our final stop, we’re taking you to Wilton House, a gorgeous privately-owned estate a short drive from the city of Salisbury. Home to the 18th Earl of Pembroke, the house has featured a lot on both the big and small screen in recent years, with highlights including hits like Pride and Prejudice, The Young Victoria and The Crown.

Entrance to this country house is somewhat more affordable than other Wiltshire estates (especially if you just want to see the gardens), so this is a good option if you don't want to break the bank.

Ready to up sticks and settle down somewhere in this gorgeous corner of the South West? Click here to find Wiltshire camping and glamping deals and get exploring…

Looking for more  things to do in Wiltshire? You might benefit from a browse of our guide to Wiltshire’s World Heritage Sites.