The town acts as an excellent centre for exploring North Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire as it is positioned on the borders of all three counties. Communications are good as the town is close to the A303 and on the London Waterloo - Exeter rail line. Bath, Salisbury and Exeter are all around an hour or less by rail or road. So why not make one of the local Hotels, B&B's or caravan site your base for touring Wessex. Nearby is the famous National Trust House and Gardens at Stourhead with the associated walking, bridleways and cycling paths from Stourhead village through the actively managed woods all the way to Alfred's Tower and beyond. The town bridge over the Shreen is famous for it's painting by John Constable who visited Gillingham in 1823. The visitor interested in Constable can also track down other local vistas the great painter put on canvas by visiting the town’s museum.