Wiltshire

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About Wiltshire

Characterised by its sweeping downloads, plains, and mysterious ancient landmarks — Stonehenge being the star — Wiltshire is also a county of grand cathedrals, stately homes, and some of the most picturesque towns in England: Castle Combe and Lacock and Teffont Evias, for starters. Some of the best places to stay in Wiltshire are in these pretty pockets, some are in the historic centres of Salisbury, Bradford upon Avon, Chippenham and Devizes, and some of the best places to stay in Wiltshire are old coaching inns, or converted country estates in the middle of rural-idyll-nowhere.

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If you’re looking for romantic getaways, or London weekend mini-breaks, these old country estates will definitely be some of the best places to stay in Wiltshire for you. Complete with all the bells and whistles spa facilities, golf courses, clay pigeon shooting, equestrian centres, and Michelin-starred restaurants, these old manors of the well-to-do now welcome everyone into their luxurious interiors. Not all of Wiltshire’s stately homes have been converted into hotels, many of the grandest are now owned by the National Trust. They open Lacock to the public, and much of its village; Stourhead and gardens; Wilton House; Great Chalfield Manor and its Arts and Crafts garden; and Westwood Manor, for starters. The National Trust also run Avebury, both the manor house and the little stone circle sister of Stonehenge.

Wiltshire also has more henges, long barrows and mounds than any other county, so the best places to stay in Wiltshire are a shoo-in for anyone with an interest in history or archaeology. It has some wonderful matching museums too. If you’re in Wiltshire with kids, Longleat House and Safari Park will be a certain crowd pleaser, and there are a number of local steam railways too, as well as some fascinating military museums. Walkers visiting Wiltshire are spoilt for choice too. The chalk downlands roll into grazing land and the Salisbury Plain, and to the north start the Cotswolds, and to the south the New Forest.

The Best Places to Stay in Wiltshire

Charming Country House Hotels

The Manor House is the full picture, an extremely elegant country house turned 48 room hotel, complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, a superb golf course, and access to a fly-fishing stream. Expect landscaped gardens with hedges, lawns, fountains and statuary; stained glass, grand fireplaces and beamed ceilings; an appropriate collection of antiques; Ferraris in the carpark; and waiting staff in tail suits. Stay in the main house for total grandeur, or in one of the mews cottages along the old village street for homely charm.
Whately Manor, near Malmesbury, is another luxurious country house escape, also offering Michelin-starred dining, and an award-winning spa with a hydrotherapy pool. The house is charming, very ‘Cotswolds’: long and low, with large windows. There’s an impressive 12 acres of grounds and gardens. Inside are 23 rooms and suites, all individually designed and decorated, making the most of original features like beamed, and pitched ceilings and gable windows. The spa has an impressive menu, including both indoor and outdoor pools. No kids, but you can bring your dog.

For A Special Occasion

Lucknam Park is another classic country house hotel, with all the traditional bells and whistle, plus an equestrian centre, and a fabulous spa. The painstakingly kept gardens set the tone on your approach, and the house’s rather grand facade only adds to it. The 42 rooms and suites are traditionally decorated, with some four-posters among them, and an excellent array of antiques. The restaurant has a Michelin star, and they offer cooking classes, and if that isn’t to your taste try clay pigeon shooting, tennis, archery, croquet or even falconry. Children are welcome too.

Fantastic Inns

The Castle Inn is in the heart of Castle Combe near Bath, regularly voted one of ‘England’s prettiest villages’, and regularly used in film shoots. The Castle Inn occupies a centre spot; it's a bit wonky and wonderfully historic. Upstairs the 11 rooms and suites are traditional, rather than chic and sophisticated, but they’re certainly memorable, with four-poster beds, and open fireplaces. The public areas are cosy and the menu in the restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike. Service is good and there is a sympathetically restored bar which is a great place to cosy up with a drink and enjoy your surroundings.
The George & Dragon is a fantastically ancient coaching inn with three comfortable rooms over an excellent country restaurant with daily changing menu which, unexpectedly, specialises in seafood, with daily deliveries from St. Mawes, Cornwall. The decor is cheerfully country chic, with exposed beams and open fireplaces, and a collection of antiques.
The Crown & Anchor is a charming village pub in Ham, which is close to Newbury. Dating from the 18th century this old charmer has been delightfully updated, and its eight guest rooms are simply, but chicly decorated with a cosy, but contemporary, colour scheme and new bathrooms. Although the original beams and charm remain. There are also a couple of self-contained cottages, ideal for families. The inn part is now part pub, part restaurant, serving Modern British fare in cosy spaces with open fireplaces and flagstone floors.
The Lamb at Hindon is an intimate village inn which has amassed 800 years worth of charm and history, and has now also been renovated to allow for plenty of modern conform too. Its 19 rooms and suites are elegantly decorated, making the most of the original beams and charming layout. Downstairs is a cosy pub and inn, with vast fireplaces, a wonderful old bar and a fantastically hearty restaurant. Perfect for exploring the Salisbury Plains.
Lacock is a charing English village, and the Sign of the Angel is the medieval-looking inn at its heart. Dating from the 15th century, with a white and wonky-beamed exterior, this is another really great example of an historic Wiltshire inn. Half timbered without, and with oak panels, flagstone floors, and huge fireplaces within, this is a wonderfully traditional choice. There are just five rooms, all with old oak antiques, and the wonderfully traditional pub and dining room downstairs.

For Walkers

The Pear Tree Inn is a boutique country pub with an excellent restaurant, and eight guest rooms, just outside the charming town of Whitley. Warm, welcoming and cosy are the first words to spring to mind at the Pear Tree Inn, both in the bar and restaurant, and in the guest rooms. This isn’t a sensation in decor, here it’s all about comfort and atmosphere. The restaurant focuses on local produce and is worthy of a visit alone, and there are a number of wonderful walks you can start right from the front door.
The Compasses Inn in Tisbury is a part-thatched 14th-century inn, with exposed timber frames, open fires, flagstone floors and locally sourced food. The four rooms are in the more modern part of the property and are simple, comfortable, and well priced. The surrounding countryside is awash with public rights of way and great walks for all fitness levels.

For Families

Just outside Bradford-on-Avon, Woolley Grange is a luxurious, family-friendly retreat, converted from an elegant Jacobean mansion and surrounded by extensive gardens. Being both luxurious and family-friendly might seem like a challenge, but they’re doing a great job of it, with 26 rooms and suites, all spacious, and many available to be reconfigured or interconnected for families. The gardens are a joy for all ages; they have set up a wonderful childrens’ garden, with a maze, play shed, a fairy garden and climbing frames. They also have a croquet lawn, and cricket pitch. Inside there’s an Ofsted-registered playroom, table football, and pool. Adults might be more inclined towards the spa, with its steam room and swimming pool. There's an excellent restaurant too.
Surrounded by Capability Brown’s extensive gardens, and the parklands and zoo of the Longleat Estate, The Bath Arms is a stylish pub-with-rooms. The pub itself is a great stop off, with gastropub fare and an emphasis on locally sourced and seasonal produce. Upstairs are smart ensuite rooms — our favourites with free-standing baths — with some family rooms suitable for two adults and two kids. As well as the zoo, this is a great spot between Bath and Stonehenge.

For a Romantic Weekend Away

The Beckford Arms is just about the perfect pub with rooms; cosy but modern with natural materials everywhere. Everything, from the Bramley toiletries, to the DVD selection, to the art, has been carefully selected by the owners, and the food is excellent. The menu changes daily but might include whole suckling pig spit-roasted on the bar’s open fire, the kitchen's own hams and piccalilli, game pies with homemade pastry and aged Wiltshire steaks.
The Peppermill is an owner-run restaurant with rooms on the pretty market square of Devizes. There are 16 rooms and suites upstairs, with options to have a four-poster bed, or stand-alone bathtub if you’re looking for something a bit special. The decor is simple and elegant, but the restaurant is the real lure, offering standout British fare made from locally sourced produce.

For Great Value

Widbrook Grange is a small country house hotel just outside Bradford-on-Avon. This hotel’s 19 rooms and suites are decorated with a boutique hotel vibe, and plenty of memorable up-cycled antiques and vintage pieces. Like many of the best country house hotels, Widbrook Grange has an indoor pool, a cosy bar with a great gin collection, and an excellent restaurant.
Timbrell's Yard is another affordable country house style hotel, converted from a Grade II listed building on the banks of the River Avon, right in the heart of Bradford-on-Avon. This is a chic, elegant place to stay, with 17 individually decorated rooms and suites, in muted tones that make the most of the building’s original features, and a restaurant that serves hearty pub meals. You’re only 15 minutes from Bath, so this is a fantastically affordable option if you’re looking for a romantic spot to see a bit of the surrounding area.
Converted from a listed rectory in Malmsbury, The Rectory Hotel’s transformation has been understandably sympathetic to the original building. There are some really wonderful original features to uncover in the 12 rooms and suites, in the rather grand dining room, light and airy conservatory, and the beautiful gardens. The restaurant is part of the Slow Food Movement, and everything served is grown locally or responsible sourced (as well as tasting divine). There’s a pool too, and both children and dogs are welcome.

Best B&Bs

Fosse Farmhouse is a quaint old abode, surrounded by farmland. It has six rooms, decorated with olde worlde charm, and vintage and antique toys. Each of the rooms looks out over green fields. A full English breakfast is served in the cosy kitchen, and the owner makes delicious cakes for guest afternoon teas.

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Travel Information

Wiltshire= is easily reached from both the London airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, London Stansted and London City Airport, and via Bristol Airport, which is closer to many destinations as the crow flies. This part of the UK is also fairly well connected by rail, and all the larger towns have stations on lines bound for London. Unless you’re planning to visit only one or two spots, it’s useful to have a car in Wiltshire.
If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
Wiltshire’s climate is closer to the counties in the South West of England, than those in the South East, which means it’s marginally wetter and milder, but generally temperate. The best time to visit Wiltshire depends on what you’re planning. Stonehenge is busiest during the summer, especially around the solstice, and walkers tend to prefer the marginally drier months between April and September. Wiltshire’s numerous National Trust properties are open year round, and there’s plenty to do whenever you visit.

Still not sure where to stay?

Refine your search to one of Wiltshire’s pretty centres and search just the best places to stay in Bradford upon Avon, Chippenham or Devizes
Or head straight for Stonehenge, and booking into one of the best places to stay in Salisbury
You may also want to search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for: great pubs with rooms in Wiltshire, for example or Wiltshire's most romantic hotels
Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.

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The best hotels in Wiltshire

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White Hart

Chippenham (Ford)

A charming 16th coaching inn just outside Chippenham. Eleven comfortable rooms are finished in a traditional yet contemporary style with plenty of country chic in the form of woollen throws and a subtle colour palette. The restaurant serves pub classics and there's a charming garden. Lovely.

Country Escape - A gorgeous country location with plenty of walking and picturesque scenery to admire
Local exploring - A quiet and charming base for exploring Chippenham, Castle Coombe and the Cotswolds
Sights nearby - Castle Coombe, dubbed England's prettiest village, is just 10 minutes away
Great walks - There is marvellous walking right from the front door

from AU$234 for 1 room, 1 night including taxes & fees