The Best Walks in Wiltshire
With a host of picturesque villages, Wiltshire is a great place to explore on foot. What’s more, as many villages still have thriving traditional pubs, there are plenty of options if you’re looking for a walk with a pitstop to grab something to eat or drink.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect summer stroll and a refreshing pint or the ideal route for crisp autumn days and warming refreshments, we’ve rounded up the best walks in Wiltshire.
Alfred’s Tower and Stourhead
If you’re looking for a picturesque walk through the Wiltshire countryside, this is one not to miss. At 5.5 miles long, as well as taking you through ancient woodland and past an iron age hillfort, it offers glorious views of Stourhead’s stunning lake. You may also catch a glimpse of Kind Alfred’s Tower, a triangular folly built in 1772 believed to be the site where King Alfred the Great rallied his troops back in 878.
If you’re looking for a pub stop, we recommend The Spread Eagle Inn. Located just a stone’s throw from the entrance to the Stourhead Gardens, it serves delicious local produce like free-range eggs from St Martin’s Farm or game from Tisbury.
Stonehenge Walk Circular
If you’re looking to experience one of Britain’s most prehistoric landscapes, then this is the best walk in Wiltshire for you. At approximately three miles long and with relatively moderate terrain, it’s great for families with smaller ones.
The chalk downlands that surround this iconic prehistoric monument are home to a wealth of important archaeological finds as well as beautiful vistas. You should also keep an eye out for wildlife, like hares and deer.
Although not technically on the walk itself, The Stonehenge Inn is the closest pub to the World Heritage Site and can be reached in around 10 minutes by car.
Malmesbury Bridges Walk
Not only is it a beautiful market town ripe for exploring, but Malmesbury is also home to some of the best walks in Wiltshire place. Although there are plenty of walks to choose from, one of our favourites takes in the many bridges of the town. You’ll start in the ancient Market Cross before exploring riverside fields and walking a circuit that winds in and out of town.
The walk itself is just over two miles long, making it ideal if you want to stop off along the route and discover historic landmarks like Malmesbury Abbey and Abbey House Gardens. Although the route is mainly flat it can get muddy, so stout footwear is a must.
When it comes to finding somewhere for a drink after your efforts, choose from the Rose & Crown, the Three Cups Inn, or The Smoking Dog.
Lacock
Lacock is a village that many will be familiar with, having appeared in multiple film and TV series from Harry Potter to Downton Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. But even if you’re not a film or TV fanatic there are plenty of other reasons this charming village has made our list of best walks in Wiltshire.
At just over a mile long, this circular walk takes you through the historic village streets as well as out onto tracks into the countryside. If you’re looking for a longer walk, there are plenty of footpaths in the area, so grab your OS map and head on to nearby Bewley Common or Bowden Hill.
For a refreshing pint, we recommend heading to The Rising Sun just outside Lacock.
Pepperbox Hill
This 6.8-mile walk is ideal for those looking to stretch their legs a little further. Start at the folly on Pepperbox Hill before heading across Dean Hill for open countryside views across Salisbury. You’ll then go on into Dean Wood, which offers a magnificent display of bluebells in the spring, before heading down into the village of Whiteparish. Here you can take a pitstop at the King’s Head, a 16th-century coaching house with a cosy atmosphere, before heading back across the fields and back up Pepperbox Hill.
The chalk downlands in this area are a significant site for rare butterfly species. So, if you’re visiting in spring or summer be sure to keep a watchful eye for rare species, including the Duke of Burgundy.
Stay in Wiltshire
Ready to escape to the Wiltshire countryside and discover even more of this impressive county? At Beechfield House, our luxurious hotel is located in the heart of the Wiltshire, so you can relax and step away from the hustle of daily life. Whether you want to discover some of the best walks in Wiltshire or explore the picture postcard towns and villages, we’re the perfect base for your getaway.
Book your rural retreat at Beechfield House and swap cityscapes for country charm today.