Large Houses to Rent in Wiltshire
RENT A BIG HOUSE IN WILTSHIRE
With a history that goes back to the most famous standing stones in the world at Stonehenge, and a story that propels forward to vineyards of the growing UK wine industry, Wiltshire crosses the centuries with ease. This landlocked county is part ancient heritage, part thriving culture and part beautiful countryside. It’s also part of the Cotswolds National Landscape. There is a wealth of things to do and places to visit when you stay in one of our big houses to rent in Wiltshire. Explore the past at Salisbury Cathedral, Lacock Village and the iron age hill fort of Old Sarum. Get close to nature at Longleat Safari Park and the chalk downs and rivers where you can spot rare butterflies and orchids. Join in the thriving arts scene, attending one of the many festivals in Wiltshire, from the world-renowned WOMAD Festival to the Chalke Valley History Festival. Add in the many museums, art galleries, stately homes and family attractions and there are a hundred reasons to stay in Wiltshire. Browse our Wiltshire big houses to rent:
Choose your Wiltshire holiday house
WHEN TO STAY IN WILTSHIRE
Spring
Spring is a great time to visit the stately homes and gardens of Wiltshire. Walk among the rhododendrons at Bowood House and the bluebells at Stourhead. If conditions are right, witness the wild flowers of North Meadow at Cricklade Court Leet, home to 80% of Britain’s Snakes Head Fritillaries, which bloom in April. You can also feed the lambs at Roves Farm, attend the Green Man Festival in Bradford on Avon and go on an Alpaca Easter Egg hunt in Devizes.
Summer
You can’t mention summer in Wiltshire without mentioning the solstice at Stonehenge. Being there when the sun rises is on most people’s bucket list. It’s festival time too; WOMAD is the big one, but how about the prestigious Salisbury Arts Festival from late May into early June. Enjoy walks, outdoor fun and summer picnics at Coate Water Park, where there are bird hides, angling and a splash park for the little ones. And, in Devizes, drop into possibly the only Confetti Battle in the world.
Autumn
Autumn comes to Wiltshire in a blaze of colour and action. Take a walk through Savernake Forest as the Beech trees turn golden and see the ancient Big Belly Oak. Just over the border in Gloucestershire, there’s nowhere better to experience the colours of autumn than Westonbirt Arboretum with its 2,500 species of tree. Take the Avebury Ridge Walk to soak up the mystical atmosphere of the standing stones in the autumn mist, and visit Cranborne Chase at night to see the Orionid meteor shower in one of the world’s Dark Sky Reserves.
Winter
Get into the Christmas sprit at Lacock Abbey, where the Great Hall is decorated and Father Christmas parks his sleigh in the courtyard. For winter walks, follow the White Horse Trail. You may know about the Westbury chalk horse but did you know there are another seven white horses waiting to be discovered in the hills of Wiltshire? If you prefer to stay under cover in the cold weather, visit the STEAM Museum for a fascinating journey into the history of Great Western Railway.
PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND WILTSHIRE
Wiltshire offers a wealth of intriguing, historic and beautiful places to visit. Take a day trip to the Cathedral city of Salisbury to view the best-preserved copy of the Magna Carta. Explore the Wiltshire edge of the Cotswolds, where Castle Combe is as pretty as a village can be. Stonehenge will be on your agenda, but make time also for Avebury, which has its own impressive standing stones. The Chalk Downs, as well as being scientifically important, are perfect for walks and teeming with rare wildlife. Step into the world of Cranford, Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice when you visit Lacock, which is so perfectly preserved it is a favourite location for period dramas. And take a look at Marlborough, where you can enjoy modern attractions alongside centuries of history. It’s also the best location to start your White Horse Trail, with the most famous one on Marlborough’s doorstep and others at nearby Hackpen, Alton Barnes, Pewsey.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES IN WILTSHIRE
STONEHENGE
Marvel at the ingenuity and intelligence of our ancestors 4,000 years ago in this world famous circle of standing stones. Visit the neolithic village and follow the exhibition to learn more about this amazing landmark.
AVEBURY STONE CIRCLE
See the standing stones that encircle the pretty village of Avebury, walk along the stone avenue of West Kennet, visit Avebury Manor and Gardens and the Alexander Keiller Museum.
SALISBURY CATHEDRAL
Soak up the peaceful atmosphere amid the splendour of this sacred space. Gaze at Britain’s tallest spire, wander through the Cloisters, set your watch by the world’s oldest mechanical clock and see the Magna Carta.
LONGLEAT
Drive through the safari park and see the lions and cheetahs, explore Britan’s most astonishing stately home, let the children go wild in the adventure park and lose yourselves in the amazing yew hedge maze.
GWR STEAM MUSEUM
Find out about the history of the Great Western Railway company and the people who worked there, get up close to the locomotives and test your skills in the signal box, in this tribute to the great age of steam.
STOURHEAD HOUSE AND GARDENS
Uncover the history behind the magnificent Palladian mansion house, then wander through the world famous landscape gardens with their temples, lake and tower.
LACOCK ABBEY
Discover this 800 year old estate which has, over the centuries, been a nunnery, a Tudor family home, the birthplace of the photographic negative and a film location.
OLD SARUM
Discover thousands of years of history at this Iron Age hill fort. Climb to the top for views of Salisbury Plain, explore the ruins of the medieval castle and marvel at the shadow of the old cathedral.
SWINDON DESIGNER OUTLET
Hit the shops at the Swindon Designer Outlet. Stock up on high end labels, browse the brand names and keep your shopping strength up with a meal at at one of the restaurants.
LYDIARD PARK
Enjoy a family day out, exploring the Palladian House, church and Walled Garden, all set in 260 acres of parkland. Allow the children to let off steam in the play area and enjoy refreshments in the tea room.
CASTLE COMBE RACE CIRCUIT
Visit the West Country’s home of racing for white-knuckle car and motorcycle racing, vehicle displays and stunt demonstrations.
IFORD MANOR ESTATE
Wander through the Grade I listed gardens, designed by Edwardian, Harold Peto, with planting and architecture in perfect harmony. Explore the wider estate on 3 miles of footpaths through ancient woods and meadows.
FOREST FALCONRY
Enjoy a ‘hands on’ falconry experience day, with the thrill of flying some of nature’s finest birds of prey, including owls, hawks, falcons and eagles.
COATE WATER COUNTRY PARK
Whether it’s the fun splash park, a day of angling, birdwatching from the hide or a gentle walk in nature, Coate Water Country Park has something for all the family.
BLUESTONE VINEYARDS
Tour the 10-acre vineyards, find out how winemakers work with the English climate and try some of Wiltshire’s finest fizz, before lunch in the café, at this boutique wine estate.
WADWORTH BREWERY
Are you a beer lover? Take a tour of the 150-year old Wadworth Brewery in Devizes. Learn how beer is made, and taste a range of taste a range of traditional ales and craft beers.
ROVES FARM
Learn about life on a working farm where the children can feed the animals and play in the indoor activity centre and you can visit the farm shop and café.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WILTSHIRE
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What tourist attractions are there in Wiltshire?
Stonehenge is Wiltshire’s most famous attraction, but dig a little deeper and there are many more attractions worth a visit. Stonehenge is not the only ancient monument for a start, and the Avebury standing stones are quieter and, in their own way, more mystical. Other fantastic attractions include Longleat Safari Park and Estate, Salisbury Cathedral, Castle Combe Circuit and the STEAM museum. You can find details of these and many more if you scroll back up the page.
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Where is Stonehenge?
Stonehenge is in Wiltshire near Salisbury. It’s on the Salisbury Plain, just off the A303, two miles west of the small town of Amesbury. You can see the standing stones as you drive past and there are some laybys and a car park you can pull into. An easier way to visit is to get the tour bus that goes from Salisbury Station to Stonehenge. It’s every hour from 10am until 4.30 pm and ticket includes the fare and entry to walk among the stones.
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What is the prettiest place in Wiltshire?
Castle Combe in the Wiltshire part of the Cotswolds often features in lists of the UK’s prettiest villages. It has a streetscape that has barely altered since the 14th century, with thatched roofs, honeyed stone and cobbled streets. Lacock is another stunning village, with timbered cottages and other medieval buildings and the added attraction of Lacock Abbey. Also very lovely is Cranborne Chase National Landscape. As a Dark Sky Reserve, it’s also a place to see natural beauty even in the dark!
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Is Wiltshire by the sea?
Wiltshire does not have any coastline but its neighbouring counties of Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset are all by the sea. Stay in any of our big houses in Wiltshire and you can get to the seaside in just over an hour. What Wiltshire lacks in coastline, it makes up for in beautiful countryside and it’s a great county to stay in if you like walking, cycling, nature and history.
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Is Wiltshire a good place for a holiday?
Absolutely, Wiltshire is a great place for a holiday! With many lovely places to visit and sights to see, such as the white chalk horses on hillsides, ancient towns and cities like Salisbury, Malmsbury and Corsham, rolling hills and downs, and stately homes and gardens, it’s somewhere you will never be short of things to do. It’s also a peaceful, friendly county where you can escape from the busy world and recharge your batteries in one of our country properties.
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Is Wiltshire near the Cotswolds?
The Cotswolds National Landscape sits across the edges of five counties and Wiltshire is one of them, accounting for 7% of the total area. Traditional towns, including Malmsbury Corsham and Bradford on Avon, are all on the Wiltshire edge of the Cotswolds, as well as chocolate box Cotswold villages such as Castle Combe, Slaughterford and Sherston. Don’t limit yourself to the 7% though. Wiltshire is a great base to explore the whole of the Cotswolds and still be home in time for a dip in the hot tub before dinner.