Salisbury Plain Travel Wish List

For my next post in my south coast travel wish list series, I am heading over to the Salisbury Plain to see what this county has to offer.  Before Covid hit I actually had plans to visit Salisbury for the first time to do a charity skydive and hopefully head into city itself but all those plans have been put off until next Summer.  So hopefully I will get there eventually but who knows! So for now, at least I can dream!  Here’s my Salisbury Plain travel wish list:

Salisbury

Starting with the county’s namesake, there are plenty of reasons to visit the city of Salisbury.  It was founded in 1220 and this historic city allows you to take a trip back in time as you walk through its cobbled streets.  Salisbury Cathedral is the main draw of the city, which has the largest spire of any cathedral in the UK and the inside is simply stunning.  Wilton House is an impressive stately home with large grounds which makes it a great choice if you want to wander around dreaming you are in Downtown Abbey.  It contains many grand rooms and the house and grounds have been the filming location for a whole host of tv shows and films including Tomb Rader, The Crown and Pride and Prejudice.  Old Sarum is an iron age hill fort on the outskirts of the city that is steeping in history, you can learn plenty here as you take in the amazing views across the Wilshire countryside.

Image with thanks to Reality in Reverie

Stonehenge

Stonehenge is one of the most famous historical landmarks in the world, and despite it being so relatively close to me I am yet to visit!  There is as much known as unknown about these circle of stones, how they got there from their sourced location in Wales is open to much speculation but it is awe-worthy for all who visit it.

Image with thanks to Two Traveling Texans

Avebury

Often overlooked by nearby Stonehenge the Avenbury Stone Circle surrounds the village of Avebury (unsurprisingly).  They are not as well maintained as Stonehenge due to several being smashed in the 18th century as it was believed they were a place of pagan sacrifice, but they are worth a visit none the less and are of deep historic importance.  The original form of the circles can be best appreciated at the Alexander Keiller Museum which illustrates how they were constructed.

Lacock

Lacock is a beautiful village that is maintained in such a way by the National Trust, so that should already tell you a lot about how unique and historic it is.  The bridge here is very popular with Instagrammers for it’s cosy and quaint village look.  Lacock Abbey in the village is a stunningly beautiful architectural building that is used in films including several of the Harry Potter franchise!

Image with thanks to Visit Wiltshire

Corsham

The town of Corsham is known for the stately Georgian houses that line the streets and of course Corsham Court, an Elizabethan mansion that has often been used as the setting for many great films due to its historic beauty.  Its superb picture gallery contains works by a variety of famous artists.  The grounds were designed by the famous ‘Capability’ Brown and the peacocks which are allowed to free roam the grounds add to its magical feel.

Stourhead

Stourhead is known for being one of the best examples of landscape gardening in Britain.  The gardens were created in the 1740s with a lake being created and then surrounded with rare trees and plants, neo-classic style temples, grottos and bridges and even the Palladian-style house.  You can spend many hours here strolling around the grounds and taking in all the colourful plants and flowers

So there are just some of the Salisbury Plain travel places I’d love to visit and explore.  Think I’ve missed anywhere?  Let me know!