Wiltshire – the London weekend road trip series

Last updated: 14 July 2023

Wiltshire, South West England.  I suspect many trips to Wiltshire consist of a dash down the A303 to visit one main site, Stonehenge.  Sure it’s famous but there is a lot more to Wiltshire than you’d think.  The area was of key significance throughout centuries which is why it’s first cab off the rank for the road trip series.  Castles and sites of historical significance dominate the countryside, B&Bs to crash for the night & more traditional pubs serving a solid Sunday roast than you can ever possibly need.

Are we there yet?

Wiltshire is easily reached from London in just a couple of hours by car.  Traffic can slow you down but that’s half the fun.  Non-drivers can have a sneaky cider in the back and the road trip games can commence.

Those of you that want to make a weekend out of it will want to stay the night. There’s accommodation a plenty in Salisbury and surrounding villages.  If you’re coming along the M4, quaint villages just west of Andover & Newbury can house you comfortably for an evening.

What to do in Wiltshire

So what to do when you get there?  In the interests of saving time, I’ve listed just a few things you can tick off over a weekend, leaving you time to have a lie in & a hot roast and a pint on Sunday.

Salisbury cathedral

Salisbury cathedral is a hugely impressive piece of architecture.  Dominating the skyline of Salisbury it’s easy to see why it has been charged with protecting the best surviving copy of the four original copies of the Magna Carta.

With plenty to keep you occupied for at least a couple of hours, take your time and browse the Close, attend Evensong or book a tour and climb the tower.

Magna Carta at Salisbury cathedral

2015 sees the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, one of the most important documents in history.  It established principle that everyone, even the monarch, is subject to the law, and guarantees the rights of individuals; to justice and to a fair trial.

Of the four surviving manuscripts, two held by the British Library in London, and one each by Lincoln and Salisbury cathedrals. More information on the Magna Carta can be found here.

Technically, entry to the cathedral is free, however they do ask for a voluntary donation.

Old Sarum, Salisbury

Old Sarum, the site of the earliest settlement in the area.  A fort was erected on the site in 400BC.  Throughout later centuries the site expanded. A motte and bailey were added, along with a curtain wall and a cathedral, before a dust up between the bishop and the sheriff which saw the church moved to the current site of Salisbury cathedral.

Neglected for centuries, not much of the site stands today.  It’s still worth a visit to explore the site that housed Plantagenet monarchs.  The wider grounds are a prime spot for a picnic, play area for kids or take your dog for a stroll.

Stonehenge

The crème de la crème and the jewel in Wiltshire’s crown is this prehistoric monument that’s fascinated people for millennia. A UNESCO World Heritage site, frequently on the top 10 things to do in England and one of the most recognisable sites in the world.

Trips to Stonehenge via dedicated day trips and tours from London are frequent and a plenty but if you’re road tripping it, the best time to go is early.  Arriving early means the car park will be reactively empty, no queues for entry & shuttle buses plus and you can enjoy the Stones before the hordes of tour buses arrive.  – Another perk to the road trip!

If you’re in Wiltshire, it’s not one to miss.   If you’re interested in my original thoughts, read about my first experience with Stonehenge here.

Change to entry – Due to the popularity of the site, advance booking and timed tickets are now required.  Walk up tickets are available but entry isn’t guaranteed.

Stonehenge is managed by English Heritage so if you’re a member, entry is free but you still need a timed ticket.

Woodhenge

No that’s not a typo.  Woodhenge is a near neighbour of it’s bigger and much more famous cousin, Stonehenge.   In a nutshell, the site consists of six concentric oval rings of timber postholes.

Like Stonehenge, it’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s history and creation is surrounded in a cloud of mystery and speculation.  The site dates from 2300 BC it’s thought to be a large burial mound.

While the area is worth a look, the site (and parking area) is somewhat compact.  A visit should take you no more than an hour at the most.

The Essentials

London to Salisbury 

Distance: 141 km (88 mi)

Driving time: 2 hours – heavily dependent on traffic out of London

Costs

Salisbury Cathedral – Technically free however they do push heavily for a donation.

Old Sarum* – Entry: £4.20 adult/£2.50 child. Opening & closing times change seasonally.

Stonehenge* – Walk-up entry: £15.50 adult/£9.30 child. Opening & closing times change seasonally.  Advance booking timed tickets are recommended.

Woodhenge* – Entry: Free.

All sites denoted with a * are managed by English Heritage so if you’re a member, entry is free.

Insider tips: Avoid Stonehenge after 11am on weekends and during school holidays.