Things to do
Not for the faint-hearted! Larmer Tree Gardens on Cranborne
Chase offers hot air ballooning, with stunning views of
Wessex and southwest Wiltshire from the air. The trip usually lasts
between three and four hours and offers a rare opportunity to see
this vast landscape, known for its ancient sites and enigmatic crop
circles, from a totally different perspective. An exhilarating
experience!
Spend a day in gorgeous Wilton House. Home of the Earls of Pembroke,
the house was designed by Inigo Jones in the 17th century, and
later remodelled by James Wyatt. Inside is the Double Cube Room,
which contains a famous collection of Van Dyck paintings. Look out
for the former riding school, a Tudor kitchen and a Victorian
laundry. There's an incredible adventure playground to keep little
ones occupied for hours.
Immortalised in John Constable's famous painting Salisbury
Cathedral from the Meadows from 1831, don't miss Salisbury's
staggering cathedral, with a spire that's the tallest in the
country, painted in 1831. The cathedral was begun in 1220, finished
about 1280, and includes a medieval frieze and an original copy of
the Magna Carta.