Autumn is a beautiful time with crisp leaves crunching underfoot, bright blue skies still overhead, with a chill in the air. There are so many great things about this time of year, including rugging up warm and enjoying open fires, hot drinks, and cosy country pubs. Below we’ve added some inspiration for spending the last Autumn days in Wiltshire this year.
Explore the Colours
Autumn is the time of year to admire Wiltshire’s woodlands as they blaze bright yellow, orange and red. For landscaped gardens and autumnal beauty reflecting in the lake, pay a visit to Stourhead. The park’s planting scheme helps the Autumn colours linger for a 6-8 week period every year. Or perhaps explore Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, where over 15,000 trees put on a spectacular natural colour show.
Explore (Or Rediscover) The Henges
Or why not delve into the distant past with a visit to Stonehenge? The structure has stood tall for thousands of years but still holds mystery and wonder for those who visit. Or perhaps try the lesser-known Woodhenge, another atmospheric Neolithic site close by. The site, estimated to have been built around 2500 BC, was formed of six concentric ovals of standing posts surrounded by a bank and ditch. So rug up warm and let your imagination wander about the why and how of both structures.
Try A Museum or Two
Head off the beaten track to discover the unique centre at Visit Hillbrush. Discover the history of a local industry of a bygone era at the interactive brush-making museum. Here you will see vintage machinery, historical memorabilia and artefacts on display from the 1920s to the present day. Enjoy the restaurant and peruse the gift shop to take your piece of brush-making history home with you.
The UK’s original and most exciting lantern festival is on again at Longleat. Come along to experience a magical journey through the Wonderous Worlds of Roald Dahl, meeting characters from his famous stories. Meet the 5-metre-tall BFG, walk through Wonka’s factory gates and be sure to see Matilda and Miss Honey. There will also be hundreds of lanterns across thirty acres to mesmerise and amaze as the sun sets and Longleat transforms into an illuminated wonderland. The season runs from 5th November until 8th January, so there is plenty of time for your visit.
More than a million lights and seasonal sounds will be at Stourhead from 25th November until 1st January this month for this dazzling Christmas event. Discover glowing fields of flowers, trees lit in jewel colours, a sparkling Cathedral of light, the fire garden of flickering flames, and gaze up at larger-than-life illuminations. The curated trail is designed for all ages to enjoy and be filled with wonder.
Make Time for Wiltshire this Autumn
Ready to book an Autumn trip to Wiltshire? Consider Beechfield House for your local accommodation – we have everything you need for a beautiful and cosy break, located close to all the area’s sites.