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Essential Hotels > England > Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a county in the South West of England. It has a central location, bordered by Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire as well as Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. The now-redundant county of Avon lies to the northwest of Wiltshire, and the southernmost fringes of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty occupy the north of the county. Wiltshire is a scenic, rural county with a long and fascinating history. In addition to its pleasant landscapes and historic attractions, Wiltshire offers a plethora of first-rate hotels, traditional inns and award-winning restaurants. Furthermore, the M4 motorway and Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Great Western rail network run through the centre of the county, making it a popular and easily reached destination for short breaks and holidays.
Wiltshire was historically a component of the expansive Kingdom of Wessex under the Saxons, although its heritage reaches back thousands of years further back. Indeed, probably the most instantly recognisable Wiltshire landmark is that of Stonehenge, and to a lesser extent Avebury Henge. These enigmatic stone circles date back to around 2500 BC. Despite the burial mounds and archaeological evidence that surround them, the reason for their construction is still enthusiastically debated. They are a hugely atmospheric and popular regional visitor attraction. In more recent times, Wiltshire was known as a trading centre, particularly regarding textiles. Its fortunes were greatly helped by the county’s location between the cities of Bath and London.
Many visitors come to enjoy the traditional countryside of Wiltshire. Much of the county is made of rolling chalk downland, creating a landscape that is iconic and quintessentially English. The largest expanse is that of Salisbury Plain, a brooding mysterious wilderness that has been used by the British Army for manoeuvres and training operations for over 100 years. Wiltshire has a modest population, but it does have several medium and large towns and cities. The county town is Trowbridge, which lies alongside the Kennet and Avon canal and enjoys a traditional outlook. However, Trowbridge is exceeded in size and notoriety by both Swindon and Salisbury. Swindon is a sprawling, modern town, while Salisbury is a picturesque cathedral city. There are also numerous handsome market towns, such as Malmesbury, Chippenham and Marlborough.
Wiltshire was historically a component of the expansive Kingdom of Wessex under the Saxons, although its heritage reaches back thousands of years further back. Indeed, probably the most instantly recognisable Wiltshire landmark is that of Stonehenge, and to a lesser extent Avebury Henge. These enigmatic stone circles date back to around 2500 BC. Despite the burial mounds and archaeological evidence that surround them, the reason for their construction is still enthusiastically debated. They are a hugely atmospheric and popular regional visitor attraction. In more recent times, Wiltshire was known as a trading centre, particularly regarding textiles. Its fortunes were greatly helped by the county’s location between the cities of Bath and London.
Many visitors come to enjoy the traditional countryside of Wiltshire. Much of the county is made of rolling chalk downland, creating a landscape that is iconic and quintessentially English. The largest expanse is that of Salisbury Plain, a brooding mysterious wilderness that has been used by the British Army for manoeuvres and training operations for over 100 years. Wiltshire has a modest population, but it does have several medium and large towns and cities. The county town is Trowbridge, which lies alongside the Kennet and Avon canal and enjoys a traditional outlook. However, Trowbridge is exceeded in size and notoriety by both Swindon and Salisbury. Swindon is a sprawling, modern town, while Salisbury is a picturesque cathedral city. There are also numerous handsome market towns, such as Malmesbury, Chippenham and Marlborough.