Much of Wiltshire has been declared an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty'. Yet it remains largely undiscovered, a rural idyll just two hours from London.

Known as "The gateway to the West Country", Wiltshire is a beautiful county of great diversity. Covering an area of almost 3,500 sq km it unites the districts of Kennet, West Wilts, North Wilts, Salisbury and South Wilts with the Borough of Swindon. With a population of nearly 430,000 and with much of the county designated as an 'Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty', Wiltshire is the perfect destination for a relaxing break at any time of the year. Wiltshire is blessed with an exceptional range of places to visit.

You'll need more than a few days to do justice to its two World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury, world class gardens, historic houses and masterly cathedral and churches, all set in glorious countryside. Walk the White Horse Trail to see our eight white horses carved into the hillsides; or take a leisurely wander through our market towns and pick up the real flavour of country life. Wiltshire is a rural county presenting plenty of opportunities to undertake some slightly more strenuous activities! One of the best ways to explore the area is on foot and with over 7,500 paths in Wiltshire it's not a difficult thing to do. Cyclists will also love Wiltshire. It's the place to enjoy leisurely two-wheeled exploration on traffic free country lanes. A whole series of routes has been created ranging from family friendly off-road routes to the 160 mile, long distance, Wiltshire Cycleway route. So, take a short break and explore this mystical, magical county.