Discover a range of holiday cottages, farmhouses, barn conversions, and glamping pods, set on working farms in Wiltshire. These hand-picked, self-catering farm stays are located in some of Wiltshire’s most popular rural destinations including Shaftesbury, Minety, Cricklade, and Chippenham, ideal for families, groups of friends, or couples looking for a memorable getaway.
Wiltshire is home to some of the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles with an important history that stretches back to prehistoric times. Its most iconic attraction is Stonehenge, a must-see monument and a powerful testament to human ingenuity, imagination, and creativity. Alongside the famous stone circle, visitors can explore an exhibition showcasing archaeological objects discovered in the surrounding landscape, ranging from jewellery, pottery, and tools to ancient human remains. Wiltshire is also rich in other Neolithic and Bronze Age ceremonial sites, including the henge and stone circles at Avebury, the West Kennet long barrow and stone avenue, the causewayed enclosure at Windmill Hill, and the mysterious Silbury Hill. Comparable in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids, Silbury Hill remains an enduring mystery, as it contains no known burial.
There are plenty of more recent attractions to enjoy as well. Highlights include Longleat Estate, whose magnificent house is regarded as one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture, set within 900 acres of landscaped parkland designed by ‘Capability’ Brown and home to a drive-through safari park. Other notable sites include Old Wardour Castle, a six-sided 14th-century tower house with a Georgian banqueting house and a fantasy-Gothic grotto, and the National Trust’s Stourhead, a grand Palladian-style villa set within a world-famous landscaped garden dotted with classical temples and follies.
No visit to Wiltshire would be complete without time spent in the medieval city of Salisbury. Its spectacular Early English Gothic cathedral has Britain’s tallest spire and houses one of the four surviving original copies of the Magna Carta. The city’s 800-year-old Charter Market still takes place in the historic centre, offering everything from fresh produce and deli foods to vintage clothing and household goods. Salisbury also has a wealth of independent shops, with a visit to Fisherton Mill, home to a large art and craft emporium, highly recommended for finding a unique memento of your stay.
With almost half of the county designated as a National Landscape, Wiltshire is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a wide variety of walking and cycling routes, from long-distance trails to gentle afternoon strolls. The White Horse Trail is a circular long-distance route that links eight chalk white horse figures and numerous historic sites with chocolate-box villages, rewarding walkers with glorious views along the way.
The chalk downlands of Wiltshire support a rich and varied range of flora and fauna. Visit Ham Hill, a small nature reserve known for its wildflowers, including the rare and powerfully scented musk orchid. For butterfly enthusiasts, Morgan’s Hill is an excellent spot, where species such as Adonis blue, chalkhill blue, common blue, small blue, and the endangered marsh fritillary can be found. At Winterbourne Downs, the RSPB has recreated wildlife-rich habitats, including flowering grasslands once typical of downland farms, to provide a haven for ground-nesting birds such as stone curlews, skylarks, yellowhammers, and grey partridges.
For a relaxing countryside escape with opportunities for walking, cycling, and wildlife watching, and many historic attractions, choose a farm holiday in Wiltshire for your next break.
