Cottages in Wiltshire

Wiltshire is a great place to visit if you're looking for a quiet, rustic retreat close to woodland. The county has a wealth of beautiful cottages surrounded by vast green landscapes filled with meadows, moorland, forests, lakes and many other natural gems that will inspire you to feel thriving during your trip. You will also be entertained by the many activities and places to visit in the county.

For your stay, Wiltshire offers comfortable cottages ranging from properties that look like something out of a fairy-tale with stone walls and flower-covered vines at the entrance, to more luxurious properties with high quality furnishings and modern kitchens with huge windows overlooking the countryside. Relax in the many amenities including terraces with outdoor seating for a drink, fragrant flower gardens, patio dining areas, swimming pools and hot tubs with whirlpools.

Need inspiration for a romantic day? Go to Bluestone, located just outside Salisbury. It is a friendly vineyard that offers artisan sparkling wine tastings, pleasant tours around the place and picnics with charcuterie and wine that create the perfect evening with that special someone. Although if you prefer a more private spot, Iford Manor's award-winning garden is a romantic spot that won't disappoint you and your loved one. Set in 2.5 acres, this haven is tucked away in a tranquil valley in the Wiltshire hills providing a private setting perfect for a romantic getaway. It has an Italianate terraced garden with splendid rural views across the valley and an angelic design with ancient statues, columns and terraces that gives you the feeling of entering another world.

If you are a nature lover you will surely love Westonbirt National Arboretum. It's an impressive place with a landscape created by around 15,000 trees from all over the world where you can find a diversity of species and sculptures from the Gruffalo story that will surely spark the imagination of the little ones. Another option you'll love is the Lower Moor Farm complex made up of four nature reserves with lakes, ponds, streams and woodland. One of these is Clattinger Farm which is one of the finest examples of enclosed lowland meadows left in the UK. The site has wild flowers and meadows with an abundance of wildlife. The Stourhead Estate is also a site worth a trip! There are 2,500 acres of countryside to explore with lakes, grottoes and classical temples.

Set in 100 acres of Capability Brown, Bowood House is a place of extreme beauty with award-winning Italian-inspired walled gardens that radiate colour with its exotic plants. You will have the opportunity to visit the four-acre Walled Gardens with roses, tulips and hydrangeas; the 30-acre Woodland Gardens with plants such as azaleas, magnolias, rhododendrons and bluebells and the Terrace Gardens surrounded by hedgerows, tulips and roses. Plus a visit to the waterfall, the lake, hermits' cave and Doric temple. Without a doubt, it is a place with a lot to see. An Oasis not to be missed during this holiday.

Stonehenge is one of England's most recognisable sites and a must on your holiday to Wiltshire. Located 16 kilometres away from the city of Salisbury, this prehistoric site is a famous heritage in Europe and will amaze you with the Stone Circle and its replicas of Neolithic houses. Learn about the mysterious history of the monument and walk across the plain to Woodhenge, a Neolithic ceremonial site built around 2500 BC.

Explore the galleries and extraordinary collections at Wiltshire Museum. The site has the finest collection of Bronze Age archaeology in Britain! See gold and amber artefacts dating back 4,000 years and explore the nationally important collections which houses over 100,000 impressive objects including art, natural science, archaeology and photographs.

Wander through the grand rooms and see the incredible Elizabethan architecture of Longleat House. The property is located in the heart of Capability Brown Park and has formal gardens in a rococo style that once housed exotic animals. Today the garden has several pleasant labyrinths to visit such as the romantic labyrinth, the sun labyrinth, the moon labyrinth and a Safari with lions, tigers, cheetah, monkeys, rhinos, zebras, elephants, wolves and deer.

Taking the kids to Cholderton's Rare Breeds Farm is a favourite family activity. It's a fun day out where little ones can feed and pet fluffy rabbits, cuddly pigs, cute cows, charming ponies and many more animals. You can also book an alpaca ride that will take you through the vineyards and forests for an hour. There are also plenty of adventure play areas including trampolines, climbing frames and water gardens to keep the kids having fun. Plus a cafe with delicious homemade food, cakes and drinks to refresh.

The Cotswold Water Park is a great place to go to if you're looking for outdoor sports. It's an area of over 150 lakes offering water and land sports. You can go off-road cycling, archery, target shooting, paintballing, paddling on the lakes to the towns, paddle surfing, kayaking, sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing. The area also has a swimming beach and traditional pubs serving beers.

Overlooking the Cathedral and the River Avon, Queen Elizabeth Gardens were opened in the early 1960s, commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. It's a great place to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and landscapes filled with colourful flowers. Children can run around the grounds and have fun in the play areas. Then take a detour to visit Salisbury Cathedral and see the oldest working mechanical clock in the world. Don't forget to stop by the Refectory restaurant and try the selection of delicious cakes.