Tourism & Places of Interest

Thanks to its variety of historical sites, rich culture and vast countryside; Wiltshire attracts visitors from all walks of life. Whether it's a visit to one of Swindon's famous rail heritage sites or a family holiday to the Centre Parcs site in Longleat Forest, rail connections in Wiltshire will fulfil every travellers needs.

The county is a haven for walkers and cyclists alike with many facilities readily available thanks to the TWR network. The Kennet and Avon Canal can be reached from many of the TWR stations allowing visitors and residents to explore the local countryside both on land and by boat.

If you are looking to explore Wiltshire by cycling then why not take advantage of Sustrans information on cycle trails.

Visit Wiltshire is the official tourism web site which has the most comprehensive source of places to go and things to do in Wiltshire.

Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

There are currently 36 Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and Wiltshire is fortunate to be home to 3 of these:

The Cranbourne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs	Covering 380 sq miles of countryside overlapping the boundaries of Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset.
The North Wessex Downs	Designate as an AONB in 1972 the impressive area includes open landscape, ancient woodland and chalk streams.
The Cotswolds	As the largest of the 38 AONB's, the Cotswolds incoporate beautiful buildings, open skies, rolling grasslands, beech wood and captivating villages.

Towns & Villages

There are many beautiful villages and towns in Wiltshire. It is an area that remains popular with both tourists and residents. Utilising the connecting services on the TWR network means that the Towns and Villages of Wiltshire are now easily accessible:

Swindon	Conveniently located in the South West of England, Swindon is the largest town in Wiltshire. Thanks to its excellent rail links and close access to the M4 it is a growing region proving popular to both businesses and the community. The GWR museum of STEAM is adjacent to the station.
Chippenham	Chippenham is a beautiful market town situated midway between Bath and Swindon. Its impressive town centre and key rail links make it an ideal location for living, working and visiting. The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre is within a 5 minute walk from the station.
Melksham	The picturesque market town of Melksham is located on the banks of the River Avon in West Wiltshire. Situated between Bath, Swindon and Salisbury, it retains a charming selection of old houses grouped in close proximity to the lovely parish church.
Trowbridge	As the county town of Wiltshire, Trowbridge is set in a delightful location in the heart of the South West of England. Only 10 miles from Bath it is the third largest town in Wiltshire, famed for its historic connection with the textile industry.
Westbury	Westbury is a small town situated in the west of Wiltshire. It is located close to the famous 400 year old White Horse hill carving on the western edge of the Salisbury Plain. A popular (2.5 hour) 6 mile walk is from the station to Erlestoke village on the plain with a bus service return. Westbury's history of a cloth-making town is in keeping with its neighbours from Trowbridge.
Dilton Marsh	The picturesque Dilton Marsh is located in the heart of the West Wiltshire countryside. Easily accessible from Westminster, Warminster and Trowbridge it is a popular location for residents and tourists.
Warminster	Warminster has developed from an old market and garrison town into a modern location, which is popular as a base for exploring the local area.
Salisbury	As the only City in Wiltshire, Salisbury is the perfect haven for living, working and visiting. Its history dates back over 5,000 years and Salisbury offers an enormous range of tourist attractions, suitable for all ages. One of only four surviving copies of the Magna Carta is on show at the Cathedral Chapter House. A (2 hour) 5 mile circular walk will take you along the River Avon to Old Sarum iron age hill fort and back past the Cathedral.

For a different perspective please visit Towns & Villages of Wiltshire.

Places to See:

Wiltshire is home to many delightful and interesting tourist attractions. If you are looking for a family day out or a place to meet up with old friends, then the services on the TWR network will help you reach your destination:

Swindon Heritage Trails	All rail enthusiasts will love the Swindon Heritage Trails. Walking in the footsteps on Isambard Kingdom Brunel, you will discover Swindon as it was when 'Steam' was about to change the way people travelled.
Sheldon Manor in Chippenham	Sheldon Manor is the oldest inhabited house in Wiltshire. Dating from 1282 it stands on the site of a medieval village, with a 15th century chapel and 8 acres of formal and informal gardens.
Conigre Mead Nature Reserver in Melksham	Conigre Mead is a 3-acre site next to the River Avon. It is a grassy meadow in the heart of Melksham and provides an ideal location for all nature lovers.
Bowood in Calne	Bowood is a lovely venue for all the family. Situated in 2000 acres of "Capability" Brown parkland it is home to fabulous visitor attractions, a luxury hotel & spa and a championship golf course.
The Hope Nature Centre in Trowbridge	Set-up as a charity in 2000 the Hope Nature Centre helps young adults with learning difficulties in West Wiltshire. It is a great day out for both children and adults.
The Wiltshire White Horses	Originally there were in excess of 24 white horses in Britain, 13 of which were located in Wiltshire. Eight are still visible today, all of which provide beautiful views of the Wiltshire countryside.
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park in Warminster	Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is one of the UK's best-loved attractions. It is a great day out for all the family.
Stonehenge	Built in approximately 3100 BC, Stonehenge is a World Heritage Site and a destination fro travellers from across the Globe.