A Photographic Journey: 8 Wonders of Wiltshire

The county of Wiltshire, often referred to as the gateway to the South West of England, is a treasure trove of ancient monuments, dramatic rolling hills, enticing waterways, magical woodlands, Cotswold cottages, and charming stately homes. Let me take you on a photographic tour of some of Wiltshire’s most iconic landscapes.

The world-famous prehistoric Stonehenge, the jewel in the crown of English Heritage, was built around 5,000 years ago. The stone circle, created around 2,500 BC, is made up of two types of stone. The larger stones, known as sarsens, were sourced locally, while the smaller stones, known as bluestones, were brought over from South Wales.

Stonehenge is renowned for the summer and winter solstice celebrations, which take place on the longest and shortest days of the year. People have gathered here since ancient times to watch the sun rise and set in alignment with the stones. Stonehenge is as much about the vast skies above as it is about the monument below.

In springtime, Wiltshire is awash with bluebells, and the most magical place to see woodlands carpeted in these purply-blue flowers is West Woods. Situated just outside Marlborough, you will find this ancient woodland with its cathedral-like beech trees and swathes of bluebells. Interestingly, the sarsen stones from Stonehenge were sourced from this location.

Oliver’s Castle is an ancient Iron Age hill fort dating back to around 600 BC. It sits atop Roundway Hill, which is especially striking given the deep gullies that give the appearance of folded earth. The undulating hills almost look like sand dunes, with the long tanned grasses adding to this effect.

Wiltshire is peppered with stunning stately homes and charming English gardens, many of which are managed by the National Trust and open to the public. These include Great Chalfield Manor, The Courts Garden, the entire village of Lacock, and Westwood Manor. My favorite garden is that of Stourhead, with its lake surrounded by a stunning arboretum of trees, delightful temples, and one iconic bridge.

Wiltshire boasts two rivers named River Avon. One is known as the Bristol River Avon, which flows into the Bristol Channel, and the other as the Hampshire River Avon, which flows into the English Channel. The Bristol branch was featured on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme during spring 2024. The river is teeming with wildlife, from kingfishers to otters, beavers, and more.

Pewsey Vale, nestled in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is full of English country charm. The Vale is at its most beautiful around dawn when the mist mingles with the rural landscape.

The Kennet and Avon Canal was built between 1794 and 1801. It links multiple rivers, allowing boats to travel from London to the Bristol Channel. The Great Western Railway subsequently took over as the primary mode of transport for this route. Now, the canal is occupied by people living in boats and tourists who travel on it for leisure. The canal towpath serves as a fantastic route for walkers and bikers to explore the delights of the waterway.

Wiltshire is a quintessentially English county full of beautiful landscapes, offering something for everyone.

Poppy fields are a stunning summer sight across Wiltshire. The Salisbury Plains are a sea of red flowers in June. Poppies are planted as “break crops” by farmers as they help to revitalise the soil during crop rotations. In addition, some farmers may grow poppies to sell for medicinal purposes or as an ingredient used in baking. They also support pollinators, which play an important role in the ecosystem.

Wiltshire is a quintessentially English county full of beautiful landscapes, offering something for everyone.

My thanks to my friend, Annemarie, for making these photographs possible by driving us to these wonderful locations.