England
Wiltshire

Wiltshire Travel Guide - Historic Houses

Avebury Manor and Garden   The Tudor manor house at Avebury is a monument to the architectural and cultural changes of the centuries. On the site of earlier monastic buildings, the present 16th century buildings have been much altered over the years. Private tenants open the grounds and part of the house. Check the National Trust website for opening dates and timing of tours. Marlborough, Wiltshire, England, SN8 1RF Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 6 m W of Marleborough on the A4361 and B4003 Website: Avebury Manor and Garden Email: avebury@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01672 539 250 Fax: 01672 538 038 National Trust Location map OS SU100 699 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Bowood House and Gardens   The original house at Bowood was built in 1725 on the site of a former hunting lodge, and extended in the 1750s to its present attractive Georgian form. Stately interiors feature Adams Orangery (now a picture gallery), library, chapel, and exhibition rooms for extensive collections of watercolours, jewellry, miniatures, porcelain and costumes. 'Capability' Brown park. Derry Hill, Calne, Wiltshire, England, SN11 0LZ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off the A4 Website: Bowood House and Gardens Phone: 01249 812 102 Location map Details of Bowood House and Gardens OS ST977207 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Corsham Court    Originally built in 1582, little of the earlier building remains. State rooms designed by Capability Brown, furnishings by Robert Adam and Chippendale. Corsham, Wiltshire, England, SN13 0BZ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A4 Website: Corsham Court Email: staterooms@corsham-court.co.uk Phone: 01249 712 214 Fax: 01249 701 610 Location map OS ST847 706 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Great Chalfield Manor    Built in the late 15th century, defended by a gatehouse, moat and wall. Great hall, beautiful oriel windows, vaulted porch, ornate fireplace. Look for the spy-holes high in the walls of the hall. Great Chalfield, Melksham, Wiltshire, England, SN12 8NH Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off B3107 Website: Great Chalfield Manor Email: greatchalfieldmanor@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01225 782 239 Fax: 01225 783 379 National Trust Location map OS ST860 631 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Hamptworth Lodge    Edwardian-rebuilt Jacobean manor house of brick and timber. Furnished with Elizabethan and Jacobean pieces, and featuring a collection of unique 17th century wall hangings. Lawns and wooded park, period terraced gardens. Landford, Wiltshire, England, SP5 2EA Attraction Type: Historic House Location: between A338 and A36, 10 miles SE of Salisbury Website: Hamptworth Lodge Email: enquiries@hamptworthestate.co.uk Phone: 01794 390 215 Historic Houses Association Location map OS SU231 198 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lacock Abbey   A manor created from an Augustinian nunnery in 1539. Lacock Abbey is set in a marvellously preserved village owned by the National Trust. Much of the monastic features survive in the house, which was the home of Fox-Talbot, one of the inventors of photography (there is a fascinating photography museum in the village). Lacock Abbey Photo Gallery. Lacock, Wiltshire, England, SN15 2LG Attraction Type: Historic House Location: off A350 Website: Lacock Abbey Email: lacockabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01249 730 459 Fax: 01249 730 501 National Trust Location map Details of Lacock Abbey - Photos of Lacock Abbey OS ST919 684 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Longleat   Set in parkland created by Capability Brown, the elegant Elizabethan/Renaissance exterior belies an extravagant Italianate interior. Surrounded by an extensive safari park and a multitude of other attractions. Home of the Marquess of Bath, beloved of tabloid newspapers, Longleat is one of the true "Treasure Houses" of England. Warminster, Wiltshire, England, BA12 7NW Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4 m SW Warminster, off A362 Website: Longleat Email: enquiries@longleat.co.uk Phone: 01985 844400 Fax: 01985 844885 Location map Details of Longleat - Photos of Longleat OS ST809 430 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Lydiard Park    This lovely country estate was the property of the St. John family for over 500 years, and was rescued from ruin in 1943 by the Swindon Corporation, which set about restoring the Palladian house. The visitor will find original family furnishings and fine plasterwork, as well as 'The Blue Closet', containing the treasures of 18th century society artist Lady Diana Spenser. The extensive formal parklands, undergoing a 4-year restoration project, remain open to visitors. Lydiard Tregoze, Swindon, Wiltshire, England, SN5 3PA Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 4 miles W of Swindon Website: Lydiard Park Email: lydiardpark@swindon.gov.uk Phone: 01793 770 401 Fax: 01793 770 968 Location map OS SU106847 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Mompesson House   A massive oak staircase is the centrepiece of this 18th century house. Also to be noted is the collection of Turnbull drinking glasses. Walled garden. The Close, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, SP1 2EL Attraction Type: Historic House Location: on the N side of Choristers' Green Website: Mompesson House Email: mompessonhouse@nationaltrust.org.uk Phone: 01722 335 659 Fax: 01722 321 559 National Trust Location map OS SU142297 Photo Credit: David Ross Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Old Wardour    Built by John, Lord Lovel, in the late 14th century. Five-sided tower around a central courtyard. Large hall unusually provided with large windows on the outer wall, a sign that Wardour was meant as much for prestige as for defense. Tisbury, Wiltshire, England, SP3 6RR Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3 m NE Shaftesbury, off A30 Website: Old Wardour Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk Phone: 01747 870 487 English Heritage Location map OS ST939 263 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Sheldon Manor    A romantic garden under restoration, Sheldon is Wiltshire's oldest inhabited manor. There is a rose garden in May/June. Formal and informal gardens. A 15th century chapel stands in the grounds. Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, SN14 0RG Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 1.5 m W Chippenham, off A420 Website: Sheldon Manor Phone: 01249 653 120 Fax: 01249 461 097 Location map OS ST887 742 Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering

Wilton House   Begun in 1630 on earlier Tudor foundations, with contributions at various points by Inigo Jones, James Wyatt, and William Kent. Highlights are Jones' state rooms, the Single Cube (30 x 30 x 30 feet) and the Double Cube (60 x 30 x 30 feet). Paintings by Breughel and Rubens. Wilton, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England, SP2 0BJ Attraction Type: Historic House Location: 3 m W Salisbury, on A30 Website: Wilton House Email: tourism@wiltonhouse.com Phone: 01722 746 714 Fax: 01722 744 447 Location map Details of Wilton House OS SU099 311 Photo Credit: David Ross and Britain Express Accommodation: nearest hotels - nearest Self catering