Wiltshire

Near Iford Manor Gardens

Iford Manor Gardens in Wiltshire features a unique Italianate garden designed by Edwardian landscape designer Harold Peto around a medieval house. Visitors can explore historical garden architecture, classical sculptures, and woodland walks. The venue includes an award-winning café and restaurant and offers special tours and an immersive outdoor garden experience.

3 miles from Silent walking disco at Prior Park

11 Oct, 24 Oct

An early-morning silent walking disco at Prior Park, with attendees invited to sing, dance and walk around the lakes and across the Palladian bridge.

3 miles from Fiddleford Manor

Fiddleford Manor is a medieval manor house in Dorset dating back to around 1370, featuring original interiors and restored by English Heritage, open to public visits throughout the year.

2 miles from Farleigh Hungerford Castle

Farleigh Hungerford Castle is a medieval quadrangular castle ruin located in Somerset, England, featuring a decorated chapel with notable medieval murals and an archaeological collection of lead coffins. The site offers visitors a blend of historic ruins and detailed heritage managed by English Heritage. It tells the story of the Hungerford family and their significance through English history.

3 miles from Fontmell and Melbury Downs

Fontmell and Melbury Downs is a protected chalk downland area in Dorset known for its beautiful open grasslands, circular walking routes, diverse wildlife, and scenic viewpoints including Melbury Beacon. It offers accessible outdoor experiences with opportunities to spot butterflies, orchids and glow-worms in summer, set in the landscape that inspired Thomas Hardy's novels.

Located in Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury is a historic hilltop town in Dorset, England, known for its scenic views, the ruins of Shaftesbury Abbey, the iconic cobbled Gold Hill, and vibrant cultural events including an annual Snowdrop Festival.

3 miles from Cirencester Amphitheatre

Cirencester Amphitheatre in Gloucestershire is the remains of a large Roman amphitheatre, notable as the second-largest in Roman Britain, with visible earthworks and evidence of tiered seating for thousands of spectators, and historical significance as a defensive site in the 5th century.

2 miles from Mottisfont

Mottisfont Abbey is a Grade I listed historic estate and former priory in Hampshire, featuring a historic house museum, extensive gardens with a renowned rose collection, riverside walks, and seasonal cultural and children's activities. Operated by the National Trust, it combines meaningful indoor and outdoor experiences with art exhibitions and family-friendly events.

2 miles from We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ Halloween Adventure

5 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)

A Halloween trail based on the children’s books, in which families follow the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill as they search for hidden ghosts around Mottisfont. Activities include choosing a bunny name, playing Halloween hoopla and racing broomsticks before a celebration party.

3 miles from Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene

Lockeridge Dene and Piggledene are scenic sheltered valleys in Wiltshire featuring intriguing sarsen stone boulder streams, rare wildlife including lichens and wild flowers, and a 6-mile walking trail through woodland and valley with views over the downland.

2 miles from Breamore House

Breamore House is an Elizabethan manor house in Hampshire offering visitors an immersive experience of fine paintings, tapestries, and period furniture, set within beautiful parkland. The house has wheelchair accessible routes and a café, providing a comfortable visit amidst historic surroundings.

3 miles from Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a world-famous prehistoric monument featuring the iconic Stone Circle and a museum exhibition showcasing 4,000 years of history. Visitors can explore the outdoor landscape and take part in guided tours inside the stone circle outside normal hours. The site offers a café, shop, and family-friendly facilities, making it a compelling cultural and educational day out.

3 miles from Rodmarton Manor

Rodmarton Manor is an Arts and Crafts manor house showcasing locally made furniture, original interiors, and an 8-acre early 20th-century garden. Visitors can tour the historic house and explore the extensive gardens, enjoying a blend of cultural heritage and outdoor beauty.

2 miles from Bowood House & Gardens

Bowood House & Gardens in Wiltshire features extensive gardens and historic parkland centered around a remodelled classical house with rich art and antiques collections. Visitors can experience both indoor tours of the house and outdoor exploration of the Capability Brown landscape, terraces and adventure playground for children. Facilities include a cafe, picnic area, shop, and free parking.

2 miles from Indian Block Print at Bowood House & Gardens

9 Oct

Participants learn the traditional art of Indian block printing through a demonstration and guided practice, then create a table runner, napkins or other textile items to take home.

Located in Calne

Calne is a historic market town in Wiltshire, England, known for its rich heritage, Georgian architecture, and cultural events. Nestled within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it offers visitors scenic landscapes, a public art trail, and a strong local food tradition centered around its famous pork-curing industry.

3 miles from Edmondsham House

Edmondsham House is a historic country house featuring Tudor and Georgian architecture, set within extensive gardens including a walled organic garden and unusual trees. Visitors can explore both the house interiors and outdoor gardens, with nearby historic landmarks such as a 12th-century church.

Near Owlpen Manor

Owlpen Manor is a romantic Tudor manor house in Gloucestershire featuring terraced gardens, unique historic interiors, and woodland walks. Visitors can enjoy private guided tours, a church with notable mosaics, and onsite dining options in a picturesque Cotswold valley setting.

2 miles from Tinkley Tots

12 Oct, 19 Oct…

Tinkley Tots is a weekly outdoor nature group for children aged 2–4 and their grown-ups, with a different nature theme, story and activities each session. Children can explore outdoors, discover wildlife and make things from natural materials.

3 miles from Winterbourne Downs

Winterbourne Downs is a RSPB nature reserve in Wiltshire preserving and restoring rare chalk grassland habitats. Visitors can enjoy marked nature trails, wildlife viewing screens, and panoramic views while spotting rare birds like Stone-curlews. The site offers wheelchair accessible paths and picnic areas but no indoor facilities or food services.

2 miles from Lydiard House & Park

Lydiard House & Park in Wiltshire features a historic Palladian mansion with ornate interiors and family portraits, set in 260 acres of parkland including a restored Georgian walled garden. The venue offers a cafe, children's play area, and hosts year-round events, making it a compelling destination for families and history enthusiasts.

Near Solsbury Hill

Little Solsbury Hill is an Iron Age hillfort located in Somerset, offering panoramic views over Bath and the Avon River. The site features archaeological remains including stone ramparts and medieval field systems, situated within the scenic Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and managed by the National Trust.

2 miles from Lantern Lecture: People of Colour in Bath from the Georgian period to the Ethiopian Royal family

9 Oct

Dr Tim Manningmore gives a talk exploring the history of People of Colour in Bath, from the Georgian period to the Ethiopian Royal family’s move to Fairfield House.

3 miles from Houghton Lodge Gardens

Houghton Lodge Gardens is a historic 18th-century garden featuring formal and informal landscapes, a new Oriental Garden, champion trees, and riverside walks with alpine and sheep sightings. It offers a picturesque outdoor experience with plant sales and refreshments available.

2 miles from A special storyteller event celebrating We're Going on a Ghost Hunt!

10–11 Oct, 25 Oct…

Children can join a storyteller-led session based on *We're Going on a Ghost Hunt*, following the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill on a gentle, spooky adventure with pumpkins, bats, owls, music and storytelling.

2 miles from White Barrow

White Barrow is a large Neolithic long barrow on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, notable as the first ancient monument purchased by the National Trust and a protected archaeological site dating back to 3500-4000 BC.

3 miles from Figsbury Ring

Figsbury Ring is an ancient earthwork site in Wiltshire featuring Neolithic and Iron Age archaeological remains set within protected grassland on a chalk ridge, managed by the National Trust and open to the public as a significant outdoor historical landmark.

3 miles from The Pepperbox

The Pepperbox is an historic hexagonal folly tower built in 1606 on Pepperbox Hill, Wiltshire. It offers panoramic views across the surrounding countryside including Salisbury. The tower is a Grade II listed building and a notable early folly, owned and preserved by the National Trust.

2 miles from Sutton Lane Meadows

Sutton Lane Meadows is a natural site featuring traditionally managed hay meadows rich in plant species including orchids, with a nature walk exploring rare plants, butterflies and birdlife. It is an outdoor nature reserve near Chippenham, Wiltshire, open dawn to dusk and free to visit.

2 miles from Stockbridge Marsh

Stockbridge Common Marsh is a 64.8 ha biological Site of Special Scientific Interest featuring diverse wetland habitats along the River Test flood plain in Hampshire, with rich flora.

2 miles from Pepperbox Hill

Pepperbox Hill is a natural outdoor site featuring an early 17th century brick folly and important chalk downland habitat supporting rare orchids, butterflies, and diverse flora. Visitors can explore the natural landscape and enjoy views from the historic folly.

3 miles from The social season: A Regency year at Mompesson House

9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…

Explore Mompesson House dressed to reflect the Portman family’s time there and learn about Regency life and the family’s social calendar. Visitors can see a Regency parlour and children’s playroom, take part in activities, and follow a spotter trail around the house.

3 miles from Cirencester Park

Cirencester Park is a large parkland with a mansion known for its monumental yew hedge, extensive woodland, and pasture with historical significance including baroque avenues and the site of a former castle, open for visitors to explore the grounds.

2 miles from Cley Hill

Cley Hill is a prominent natural hill in Wiltshire featuring an Iron Age hill fort, significant chalk grassland, and archaeological features. It offers scenic outdoor exploration with historical and mythical associations, including a legendary hill formation tale and UFO sightings.

3 miles from Mompesson House

Mompesson House is an 18th-century Queen Anne style historic house in Salisbury, Wiltshire, owned by the National Trust. Visitors can explore its carefully restored Georgian interiors and collections of 18th-century decorative arts. The house was also a filming location for the movie Sense and Sensibility.

3 miles from Stranger Folk at Mompesson House

16–20 Oct, 23–27 Oct…

Families can use the Stranger Folk app to follow the Crone through an interactive folklore adventure at Mompesson House, completing magical challenges to help close a rift between the human and spirit worlds.

3 miles from Garston Wood

Garston Wood is an ancient woodland nature reserve in Wiltshire, known for its rich wildlife including dormice and colorful wildflowers like bluebells. The site offers outdoor walking paths with natural surfaces and is open free to the public year-round, but has no visitor facilities or food available.

2 miles from Nympsfield Long Barrow

Nympsfield Long Barrow is a Neolithic burial site located near the village of Nympsfield in Gloucestershire, England. The outdoor archaeological site features a trapezoidal long barrow with multiple chambers and is managed as part of Coaley Peak Country Park. It offers visitors a glimpse into ancient burial practices, with excavations revealing human remains and artifacts dating back to around 2800 BC.

3 miles from ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ at Newark Park

7 Oct–15 Nov (another 37 days)

A family sensory trail brings the story of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ to life through interactive installations, inviting visitors to search for the bear.

Located in Dursley

Dursley is a historic market town in Gloucestershire known for its 13th-century church, traditional markets, and proximity to the Cotswold Way walking trail, offering visitors a blend of history, local shops, and scenic countryside.

2 miles from Buscot Old Parsonage

Buscot Old Parsonage is an 18th-century house with a small walled garden located on the banks of the River Thames in Oxfordshire, accessible only by prior arrangement with the tenant. The property has limited access and no toilets, making it less suitable for groups or wheelchair users.

2 miles from Chavenage House

Chavenage House is an Elizabethan family home in Gloucestershire known for its original 16th-century features, 17th-century tapestries, and use as a filming location. Visitors can enjoy guided tours inside the historic house, explore the parkland, and visit the cafe and shop, although wheelchair access is not available and some parts involve steps and uneven floors.

2 miles from Heelis

Heelis is the central office of the National Trust in Swindon, noted for its environmentally friendly design and modern architecture. It functions primarily as an office building with a focus on sustainability.

Located in Swindon

Swindon is a large historic market town in Wiltshire, England, known for its rich railway heritage, cultural festivals, shopping outlets, and diverse multicultural community.

3 miles from Uley Long Barrow

Uley Long Barrow, also known as Hetty Pegler's Tump, is a Neolithic burial mound in Gloucestershire featuring a transepted gallery grave with ancient stone chambers and archaeological significance.

3 miles from Stoney Littleton Long Barrow

Stoney Littleton Long Barrow is a well-preserved Neolithic chambered tomb near Wellow in Somerset, featuring multiple burial chambers inside a long stone mound, notable for its alignment with the midwinter sunrise and managed by English Heritage for public access.

Near Avebury Manor and Garden

Avebury Manor & Garden is a historic National Trust property featuring a Grade I listed early 16th-century manor house with period interiors and meticulously designed formal gardens, located in the village of Avebury near the famous neolithic henge monument. The venue offers both indoor exploration of historical interiors and outdoor enjoyment of the gardens, reflecting centuries of architectural and garden design history.

Near Sculpture exhibition in Avebury Manor Garden

5 Sep–18 Oct (another 9 days)

An outdoor sculpture exhibition displays works by more than 20 artists across the 11 garden rooms at Avebury Manor. Visitors can explore the sculptures among the garden’s seasonal planting; the works are also available to buy.

2 miles from Horton Court

Horton Court is a Grade I listed 16th-century Tudor and Norman manor house in Gloucestershire, featuring a Norman great hall and early Renaissance design elements. Owned by the National Trust, it offers rich historical architecture and has been used for filming notable TV series.

3 miles from Foxbury

Foxbury is a fragile heathland restoration conservation site in Hampshire with no regular public access except for special events and educational groups. Visitors can enjoy outdoor trails, rare wildlife, and educational experiences amid natural heathland and woodland habitats.

3 miles from Ashdown

Ashdown House is a 17th-century Carolean country house in Oxfordshire with historic gardens and parkland open for guided tours. Visitors can enjoy indoor historic interiors and outdoor grounds including rare Iron Age earthworks nearby.

3 miles from Sarum College

Sarum College is a historic college located in Salisbury Cathedral Close offering accessible accommodation with modern amenities, views of the cathedral, and proximity to cultural sites and city shops. Visitors can enjoy a mix of historic ambience and contemporary comfort within a largely wheelchair accessible environment.

3 miles from A Regency Autumn

9–13 Oct, 16–20 Oct…

A Regency-themed event exploring autumn social life in Salisbury, including the harvest, the social season and the Glorious Twelfth. It also covers Regency-era All Hallows’ Eve, Gothic literature and folklore.

2 miles from Westwood Manor

Westwood Manor is a Grade I listed 15th-century manor house in Wiltshire, featuring historic interiors with fine furniture, musical instruments, tapestries, and beautifully restored gardens, open to the public during summer days.

3 miles from Paultons Park

Paultons Park is a large family-friendly amusement park in Hampshire featuring over 70 rides and multiple themed areas including Peppa Pig World. It offers a mix of indoor and outdoor attractions, animal exhibits, gardens, and play zones. The park hosts thrilling rides for all ages and has food outlets for visitors, making it a popular destination for families in the New Forest National Park region.

Near Great Chalfield Manor

Great Chalfield Manor is a Grade I listed late medieval English country house in Wiltshire with moated grounds and a connected historic parish church. The house features unique symmetrical architecture and early 20th century restored gardens. It offers guided indoor tours and outdoor exploring of the gardens, and is known as a filming location for period dramas.

2 miles from Doughton Manor

Doughton Manor is a Grade I listed Elizabethan house featuring original interiors, three walled gardens, stables, and a barn, available primarily as a film and photography location with no wheelchair access and entry fees for Historic Houses members.

Located in Tetbury

Tetbury is a historic market town in Gloucestershire known for its antique shops, cultural events, and picturesque Cotswold architecture, attracting tourists interested in history, shopping, and local traditions.

3 miles from Windmill Hill, Avebury

Windmill Hill is a Neolithic causewayed enclosure in Wiltshire, England, known as the largest of its type in Britain and part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, featuring ancient ditches and archaeological significance.

3 miles from Nunney Castle

Nunney Castle is a medieval moated castle ruin in Somerset, England, notable for its 14th-century tower-keep and unique architectural style influenced by French designs. It was damaged in the English Civil War and is now managed by English Heritage as a historic tourist attraction.

Located in Frome

Frome is a historic market town in Somerset, England, known for its rich wool and cloth industry heritage, vibrant arts scene, and cultural festivals. It features picturesque old streets, numerous listed buildings, and a lively town centre with independent shops and markets.

Near Dinton Park and Philipps House

Dinton Park and Philipps House is a scenic historic parkland in Wiltshire featuring a 19th-century neo-Grecian house (not open to visitors), wooded areas, an ornamental lake, and significant history from the Iron Age to World War II. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, wildlife, and tranquil views across the countryside.

2 miles from Windmill Tump

Windmill Tump is a Neolithic burial site featuring a large stone tumulus and tombs containing ancient human and animal remains, located in Gloucestershire. Visitors can explore the outdoor historic site managed by Gloucestershire County Council.

3 miles from Wardour Castle

Old Wardour Castle is a ruined 14th-century hexagonal castle in Wiltshire, England, known for its unique architecture and historic significance during the English Civil War. Visitors can explore the extensive outdoor ruins, including the central courtyard, banqueting house, and surrounding parkland with integrated ruins.

3 miles from Westonbirt House

Westonbirt House is a renowned Victorian historic house and garden in Gloucestershire, offering guided tours of the architecturally impressive house and extensive arboretum. Visitors can explore both indoor and outdoor attractions including gardens and the Italian gardens, with accessibility provisions and family-friendly experiences. Entry requires pre-booking except for Historic Houses members who visit free.

3 miles from The Coombes, Hinton Parva

The Coombes is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Wiltshire, featuring important chalk grassland habitat within a steep-sided dry valley, known for diverse grasses and butterflies. It is owned by the National Trust and accessible to the public.

2 miles from Stockbridge Down

Stockbridge Down is a National Trust biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Hampshire featuring an Iron Age hillfort, Bronze Age burial mounds, diverse butterfly species, and distinct chalk and grassland habitats.

Near Charlton Park Farms

Charlton Park Farms is an outdoor venue set in beautiful English countryside, ideal for rural weddings with stunning views and ample grounds.

2 miles from Bowood Woodland Gardens

Bowood Woodland Garden is a 30-acre historic garden featuring classic family mausoleum architecture, extensive rhododendron walks, and a collection of rare plants, set in a scenic woodland environment.

2 miles from Autumn Wreath at Bowood House & Gardens

15 Oct (next Thursday)

Participants learn to design and make a personalised autumn wreath using seasonal plant materials, with guidance from Bowood’s florist and an opportunity to pick flowers and foliage in the Walled Garden.

Located in Warminster

Warminster is a historic market town in Wiltshire known for its rich heritage, independent shops, cultural venues, and proximity to notable landmarks including Longleat Safari Park and Salisbury Plain.

3 miles from Kingswood Abbey

Kingswood Abbey Gatehouse is the only surviving part of the historic Cistercian Kingswood Abbey in Gloucestershire, with origins dating back to 1139. Visitors can explore the medieval gatehouse, a Grade I listed building, located in the village of Kingswood and managed by English Heritage.

3 miles from Exploring Clay Day

10 Oct (this Saturday)

Meet professional artists demonstrating clay techniques, ask questions, and try hands-on creative activities and clay making. The event includes interactive challenges and sessions for adults and children.