It’s Time for a Visit to Wiltshire this Autumn and Winter

You’re invited to experience rich colours and crisp mornings in Wiltshire this season. Explore picturesque villages and stunning views of surrounding countryside, filled with splashes of reds and golds all around. Wrap up warm and make the most of family walks in the forest with leaves crunching underfoot. Step inside cosy pubs for a hearty meal beside the log fire. It’s time for Wiltshire this Autumn and Winter…

Discover Wiltshire’s Historical Landmarks…

A visit to Stonehenge is like no other this season. For many people, a glimpse from the car window is as close as they’ve come to the famous stones standing majestically on Salisbury Plain. For others, their last experience of Stonehenge was as a child, perhaps on a family day out or a school trip. Although the stones themselves are timeless, a visit to Stonehenge offers more than you might imagine. So, if you haven’t been recently, why not come and find out for yourself this Autumn?

Located at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre is a Neolithic village built by a talented team of volunteers. Based on excavated footprints of the houses occupied at the time Stonehenge was constructed, they contain replicas of the everyday items which would have been used 4,500 years ago. Scientific examination of animal bones, food residues on ancient pots and even analysis of the soil around the site will tell you what people were growing, cooking, and eating. There is also evidence to show that Winter Solstice was a time for feasting! Come in, take a look around and talk to the volunteers who can share with you what life was like here during the Neolithic period. And if all this talk of food makes you hungry, you can refuel in the café with a fresh soup, delicious pasty, or one of the famous rock cakes!

Further explore Wiltshire’s iconic history as you embark on an unforgettable, 5-star rated, off-road experience for your family and friends this Autumn and Winter! Hop in one of Salisbury Plain Safaris Land Rover Defenders and explore 350 sq. Km of wild open spaces contained within the UK’s largest Armed Forces training area. Each tour is a unique experience, from the changing seasons to the different ways the plain is used by the military, there is always plenty to see and do. Discover history from all the way back in the Stone Age before exploring the hidden clues which show how life has evolved and shaped the landscape to present day.

Divulge in the Iconic Food & Drink Scene

Based in rural Hampshire just outside of Wiltshire is Bombay Sapphire Distillery. Showcasing the care, skill, and creativity behind every drop of Bombay Sapphire, discover the flavours of the botanicals which make its gin so unique! Start your experience with a trip to the Turbine Bar and choose from a wall of Bombay gins to create your own gin & tonic. Head to the cinema room with your cocktail in hand to be immersed in all things Bombay Sapphire in preparation for a guided tour of Laverstoke Mill.

There’s never been a better time to visit the Bombay Sapphire Distillery this Autumn and Winter! Enjoy NEW themed experiences to mark those key occasions in style or make the most of Halloween Movie Nights hosted in the Cinema Room. Enjoy a special cocktail on arrival before taking a seat for a classic screening with light snacks.

For the festive season, join the Christmas Cocktail Masterclasses hosted on select dates in December and enjoy an arrival cocktail, a 1-hour interactive Christmas-themed cocktail masterclass which includes nibbles and tastings of the Bombay Gin range, as well as the chance to visit the Mill Bar for extra drinks and mince pies. Tickets are expected to sell out fast so don’t miss out on an evening of festive fun!

Embark on a Journey through Nature this Season

Dramatic downland, secluded woodland, sweeping valleys and the Kennet & Avon Canal provide a rich variety of landscapes for all to enjoy.  Autumn brings its own pleasures as the trees change colour across the Vale of Pewsey. Experience breath-taking views and freedom as you explore the many cycling and walking routes throughout. Here you will find quintessential England; beautiful countryside peppered with villages and thatched cottages at the heart of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with the Kennet & Avon Canal running through its core. Enjoy country pubs, independent cafes, and shops before discovering the rich heritage and ancient history of the Pewsey Vale.

Capture Wiltshire’s iconic Autumn glow by visiting Westonbirt, The National Arboretum this season! Don’t miss out on over 15,000 trees putting on one of the most spectacular natural colour shows, with vibrant reds and golds all around you. Why not head to Acer Glade in the Old Arboretum and Maple Loop in Silk Wood to encounter the endangered and renowned Acer trees and see a dazzling display of yellows, oranges, and purples as you experience nature’s very own firework display!

Credit Image: Johnny Hathaway

In the run-up to the festive season, enjoy a fantastic day out full of magic at Westonbirt Arboretum: Enchanted Christmas. Elves have made their way to decorate for Christmas. But they’re running slightly behind schedule… will the trail be ready for Father Christmas?

From 25th November until 21st December, this well-loved experience will take visitors on a journey through beautiful woodland, transported into a magical world surrounded by colourful twinkling lights. Witness the wonder and general commotion that comes with playful elves creating Westonbirt’s spectacular illuminated trail this year.

Discover Wiltshire’s Iconic Towns

At Corsham, explore a quintessentially English market town with independent shops and winding streets as you encounter local peacocks who wander between historic stone buildings and pretty green open spaces. Just 20 minutes from Bath, Corsham sits on the edge of the Cotswolds. Its history is linked to wool and stone: the wool from the Flemish weavers who based themselves in the town; the stone from the famous Bath Stone, quarried locally and used in many of the town’s buildings. A star among them is Corsham Court, a Saxon royal manor house and home to a collection of celebrated paintings, housed in a picture gallery designed by Capability Brown, who also landscaped the gardens. The glorious parkland that surrounds the Court is perfect for an early-morning autumn walk…

Credit Image: Paul Meads

Cosy Wiltshire Getaways

Be welcomed by warmth, unrivalled hospitality and love for the countryside when experiencing a getaway with Wiltshire Country Escapes this season. Choose from a wide selection of high-quality farm and rural accommodation including B&B’s, self-catering cottages, mobile homes and even a shepherd’s hut!

Enjoy the crisp fresh air and stunning Wiltshire countryside as you discover quaint nearby towns and villages with an abundance of attractions to suit all interests. Spend quality time with family and friends as you experience real farmhouse hospitality this Autumn and Winter!

It’s time to plan your next Wiltshire getaway for the season. Take a look at the things to do, including fun activities and brilliant attractions, as well as the great accommodation options across the county!