At its heart, Wiltshire is still a very rural county. Its sweeping chalk downland, including the Marlborough Downs and the ancient Ridgeway, and its river valleys mean it supports both livestock and arable farming. Much of the land is unspoilt, and it captures the green and pleasant land of England that we think we know so well.

Towns and Cities

That’s not to say that it doesn’t have its towns. Salisbury, with its famous cathedral, is the county’s only city, while Swindon is its business and manufacturing heart. In between there are charming market towns such as Cricklade, Marlborough and Devizes.

A Great Place to Retire

It’s also a great place to live if you’re over 55. Take a look at Park homes Wiltshire to see what we mean and Visit Park Home Life. Whether you prefer quiet rural life or the bustle of town, the county offers a great balance.

Plenty to Do

There is also plenty to do! For heritage lovers there are many National Trust properties to visit, including Stourhead with its famous landscape garden, and Avebury, with its stone circle and manor, which is part of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site. There are plenty of walks across the county, and you can even go boating on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The county also has good links to London and Cardiff if you fancy a longer trip out.

Related: Why take a short UK break?