Silbury Hill, Avebury 2018

Standing at 39.3m (129ft) tall Silbury Hill is the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe. It’s part of the Avebury complex of prehistoric monuments, and is part of the ‘Stonehenge and Avebury’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. Avebury is one of the best known prehistoric sites in Britain and contains the largest stone circle in the world. The sites construction is believed to have started around 3000 B.C, making Avebury a contemporary of Stonehenge and just as much as a mystery, the site attracts a lot less visitors than Stonehenge with 250,000 visitors every year.

New Bridge Square, Swindon 2018

The largest settlement in Wiltshire with a population 215,800 (as of 2014). For most of its history Swindon was a small market town centred on the Old Town area of Swindon. The industrial revolution kickstarted the areas growth, with the construction of North Wiltshire and Wiltshire & Berkshire canal in the 1800’s. The town was changed forever by the introduction of Swindon Railway Works, which gave the town a new centre and main employer. The works were detrimental Swindon until its closure in the 1980’s. Since then Swindon has had benefited from the M4 corridor effect, bringing multi-national companies to invest in the area such as Honda, Motorola and Nationwide.     

Hackpen Hill, Marlborough Downs 2018

Crop Circles have been recorded since the 15th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970’s that they became as frequent or as complicated as they are now. The term ‘Crop Circle’ wasn’t coined until the late 1970’s or early 80’s. By the late 80’s the phenomenon became main stream with the media taking notice because of the mysteries of their creation. Many of the crop circles are positioned near cultural or heritage monuments, making Wiltshire the UK’s crop circle capital, mainly with acknowledgement to Avebury and Stonehenge, with nearly half of all recorded crop circles being placed within 15km of Avebury in 2003. In 1990 Led Zeppelin used a photograph of a crop circle near Alton Barnes, Wiltshire for the cover of “Remasters”. Crop Circles continued to be made and still attract a lot of enthusiasts and tourists with farmers charging to see the crop circles and selling merchandise.

Salisbury 2019

On the 4th March 2018 Sergei Skripal, a former Russian Military Officer and double agent for the UK’s secret intelligence services and his daughter Yulia Skripal, were found unconscious in Salisbury city centre and found to be poisoned by the nerve agent, Novichok. The UK believed it to be a assassination attempt of Sergei Skripal after being convicted of high treason by Russia in 2006 and sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony, but in a spy swap was allowed to settle in the UK in 2010. His daughter was visiting her father from Moscow. Both Sergei and Yulia survived the attack.

The attack was followed by a large expulsion of 153 Russian diplomats from the UK, and other countries following the UK in expulsion of their Russian diplomats. Russia responded in a similar way with their own expulsions and accusing Britain for the poisoning. On The 30th of June 2018 the poising affected two unconnected members of the public, killing one. This was during the huge 13,000 man hour clean up of the city of Salisbury, with millions of pounds spent on dismantling Skirpal’s house and cleaning up all effected areas of the city centre. The attack has left a lasting effect on the area with a drop in tourism, shopping footfall and city only declared Novichok-free almost a year after the attack.

Malmesbury 2018

The town originated as an Iron Age hill fort and an Anglo-Saxon monastery was founded in the 7th century. The town continued to grow around the abbey, and became one of Alfred the Great’s Burhs (fortified settlement) to help provide protection against Viking attacks. Alfred’s grandson and the first king of England, Æthelstan was buried in the Abbey in 939. By the 11th century the monastery was considered to be one of the largest centres of learning in the country and contained the second largest library in Europe. A very early attempt of human flight took place by a monk in the 11th century, who attached wings to his arms and legs and jumped off the Abbeys tower. He flew over 200 metres but broke both legs on landing.

After the English reformation, the Abbey became the towns Parish Church and the towns importance began to slip in national importance and became a regional market town. The churchyard is home to a burial of the first person to be killed by a tiger in England, Hannah Twynnoy who was attacked after taunting the tiger when she worked a local pub in 1703. The Abbey is still the centre piece of the town. 

The Ridgeway, Bishopstone 2018

This ancient trackway starts in Wiltshire at the ‘Sanctuary’ on Overton Hill near Avebury and finishes at Ivinghoe Beacon. The Ridgeway has a history stretching back at least 5,000 years. The original length is thought to have been much longer, providing a reliable and safe trading route between the Dorset coast to the Wash in Norfolk. The route follows high ground with Iron Age hill forts along the route to protect it even further. It was later utilised by the Romans, Saxons and the Vikings. By the medieval era the route was still being used by drovers for moving livestock, but now the Ridgeway is a mix of roads, bridleways and footpaths and is a popular National trail.

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down 2019

Opened in 1916 as the War Department Experimental Station, Porton Down was conceived as a response to Germany using chemical weapons in WWI. The labs remit was to research and development regarding chemical weapons agents to be used by the British Armed forces in WWI.

Once the First World War had ended, Porton Down was still seen as an important asset for Britain and became a permanently utilised laboratory.

With the start of the Second World War Porton focused on chemical weapons such as anthrax, botulin and nitrogen mustard. Once the Allies started to invade Germany during WWII they discovered stock piles of chemical warfare agents that were perviously unknown to Britain and Allies, This proved the importance of Porton Down’s existence and after WWII Porton continued research because of this. The site’s aim was to focus on the defensive side of chemical warfare instead of the offensive, partly because of the investment in nuclear warfare.

Testing continued on the site and thusly began to test the effectiveness of the chemicals on servicemen and by the time they finished testing on humans, it is believed to have tested chemicals and equipment on 25,000 people. There has been one known death in this testing, which was the death of servicemen Ronald Maddison in 1953. Even with only one death, Porton Down’s practice has been questioned multiple times because of the lasting effects of the tests on surviving participants. The testing of thousands of animals every year that continues today on this site continues the allegations of unethical approach. Now the site helps with a wide range of areas, from riot control to viruses such as Ebola. Although Porton Down is still incredibly enigmatic, ministers admit they are unsure of what happens here, it is now home to samples of some of the worlds most dangerous pathogens like Ebola, anthrax and the plague.

Longleat 2019

The house at Longleat was built in the 16th century by Sir John Thynne and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Elizabethan architecture in the UK. The Longleat House and estate are still owned and occupied by a direct descendant of the builder, Alexander Thynn, the 7th Marquess of Bath. In 1947 the 6th Marquess of Bath had to find a way to pay his death duties. To do so, he took the normal route of selling large parts of the Longleat estate. He then made a unique decision, to open the house to the public on a commercial basis in 1949, making it the first stately home to open its doors in such a way. Longleat attracted many tourists and added a small railway to the estate in 1965. But in 1966 Longleat wanted to attract even more tourists to the estate and so opened a safari park, another UK first. Today, Longleat has a variety of smaller attractions and has also leased land to Center Parcs. But the safari park remains the main attraction with Longleat being visited by nearly 1 million visitors each year. The estate is still looking to expand with plans for a new hotel, water park and conference centre.

The Crown, Aldbourne 2018

During WWII in preparation for D-Day many U.S. army paratroopers were based at villages and towns around Wiltshire. Aldbourne itself was the base for E company, 506th Infantry Regiment or better known as ‘Easy Company.’ The company was made famous by the book and TV mini-series ‘Band of Brothers,’ which followed the companies story throughout WWII.

Easy Company were in the village from late 1943 to mid 1944 in preparation for D-Day and operation Market Garden. They became part of everyday village life, with many of the servicemen being billeted in stables and other outbuildings around the village. The two pubs in the village were also utilised, with the The Crown being used as a headquarters and communications centre. The Blue Boar public house was used as an officers mess. Many U.S. veterans and tourists visit the village to commemorate anniversaries and follow in the servicemen footsteps.

St John the Baptist Church, Inglesham 2019

The church has Anglo-Saxon origins; the existing structure built in the early 13th century. Situated in water meadows near the river Thames, the church has changed very little from the medieval era. This was due to the church being saved from a unsympathetic restoration 1880’s by William Morris who lived near by, saving its medieval features and identity. The church is now in the care of the churches conservation trust after it was declared redundant in 1980.

Adam’s Garve, Alton Barnes 2018

Adam’s Grave is a Neolithic long barrow found near Milk Hill and Tan Hill, with Milk Hill being just 26cm higher than Tan Hill. These are the two highest points in Wiltshire. Both hills at some point had white horses located upon them, with one still existing on Milk Hill called Alton Barnes White Horse. Tan Hill’s white horse became over grown and lost in the 1970’s. Milk Hill was also the starting point for the longest hang-glider and paraglider flights in the UK.

Renault Distribution Centre, Swindon 2019

Completed in 1983, designed by Sir Norman Foster and built for the car company Renault. The building won a number of architectural awards including the Financial Times ‘Architecture at work’ award. In 1984 the building was used as a back drop for the James Bond film “A View to a Kill.” Renaults brief for the building included that it should be instantly recognisable as their building. The design used large yellow roof supports to signify this connection with the company and as the exterior of the building didn’t display any company signage, it was instantly recognisable. Renault eventually moved out in 2001, but the building remained and has continued to be used as a distribution centre and a child’s soft play centre. It became a grade II listed building in 2013. 

Bulford Camp, Salisbury Plain 2019

The Plain is the largest remains area of chalk grassland in North-West Europe, covering 300 square miles. The area is still sparsely populated as the MOD use the Plain for a military training exercises. The MOD started to use Salisbury Plain in 1898, and over time the military slowly bought up large areas of land. Today the MOD own 150sq. miles, with 39sq. miles being permanently closed to the public and have restricted access in other areas. For around 340 days a year there is live firing on the Plain and the use of tanks is common place. Even with all this military activity the Plain is still crucial for wildlife, with nearly 80 sq. miles consisting of designated sites of special scientific interest, and the whole Plain itself is a special protection area for birds. Salisbury Plain is more recently viewed as an important archeological area for looking at UK military history, with WWI practice trenches and tunnels being found and being investigated by Historic England. 

The Spa, Melksham 2019

‘Melksham Spa Company’ was formed in 1815 by a group of local gentlemen looking to invest their money from the declining textile industry. The springs were located after several attempts to find coal. With their investment they built six large semi-detached houses in a crescent with private hot and cold baths. With plans to extend the Spa area with a further crescent, the Spa prospered for several years but due to it’s close proximity to Bath it struggled to compete and closed. The buildings are now private residences.   

Ian Fleming’s Grave, Sevenhampton 2018

The creator of James Bond and Chitty Bang Bang, bought a country house called ‘Warneford Place’ in 1959 in the village of Sevenhampton. Fleming demolished the original 16th century property and replaced it with a modern building. Finally moving into the property in 1963 but in failing health, he wanted a slower pace of life. He committed to helping a local Conservative parliamentary candidate with speeches, and supported the Swindon boy’s club with a donation and plans to give a talk which sadly, never happened.

Dying soon after moving to Sevenhampton, on 12th August 1964 (also his son’s 12th birthday), aged 56. Although only living in Wiltshire for a short period he enjoyed some of his most productive years. He was buried in St Jame’s church in Sevenhampton, joined tragically by his son in 1975 and his wife in 1981. A latin inscription on his grave stone translates roughly as, ‘You are rotting away now after having a great life.’

Stonehenge, Amesbury 2019

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, Stonehenge itself is owned by the Crown and managed by English Heritage. Stonehenge is just one part of the Word Heritage site that covers 26 sq km that also includes Stonehenge Avenue, the Cursus, Durrington Walls, Woodhenge and Vespasian’s Camp. The surrounding landscape is mainly owned by the National Trust, making up nearly a third of the world heritage site and contains over 350 ancient monuments.

Although being just one monument in hundreds, Stonehenge is the main attraction and is visited by over 1.5 million tourists a year. The henge is regarded as a important icon of British Culture and history across the world.

Stourhead, Stourton with Gasper 2019

Partly owned by the National Trust, the Stourhead Estate attracts just under 400,000 visitors a year. The main attraction of the Estate is the landscaped garden, which is centred around a large artificial lake with features placed along the lakes edge. The gardens were designed and laid out between 1741 and 1780 by Henry Hoare II. Inspiration for the gardens came from Italian landscape paintings that were immensely popular at the time, and many of the features created in the garden were inspired by scenes in Italian artist Gaspard Dughet’s paintings. The features include a five-arched Palladian bridge, a grotto, a gothic cottage, the temple of Apollo and the medieval Bristol high cross moved to the gardens in 1765. The gardens are now grade I listed on the ‘Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest’ 1987.

Wilts & Berks Canal, Wichelstowe 2018

As part of a large residential development on the Southern edge of Swindon, the Wiltshire & Berkshire canal is being rebuilt as a small section of the complete restoration. In 2011 1km of the new canal restoration was completed. Originally the canal was first completed in 1810 and the route was to connect the Kennet & Avon canal with the River Thames via Swindon. The canal was formally abandoned in 1914 and from then on much of it was filled in and built upon.

Swindon Railway Works, Swindon 2019

Opened by the Great Western Railway in 1843 following the growth of the Great Western mainline between London and Bristol, the company needed a repair centre. Due to situation near the midway point between GWR terminals and also being at a junction, Swindon was picked as a suitable location for the works. When it initially opened the works only employed 200 men, but within 10 years employed over 2000 men and produced a complete locomotive per week. The works continued to grow and attracted workers to Swindon between 1921 and 1941 when the works hit it’s peak, employing more than 14,000 workers. The works became one of largest covered areas of land in the world.

By the time British Rail was nationalised in 1947 Swindon was producing 60 engines a year. With rail nationalisation this number began to fall rapidly although British Rail made the works the southern UK’s regional hub for storage and scrapping of steam locomotives. In 1961 the works produced British Rail’s last steam locomotive. During the 60’s the works only employed 5,000; this was again hit when Dr. Richard Beeching announced his ‘Beeching cuts.’ This new strategy of UK rail meant the need for new trains fell and by 1965 building of any new stock stopped at the works. From this point the works were primarily used to scrap rolling stock, keeping employment steady. Eventually, work from British Rail stopped and the Swindon works closed on 26th March 1986, after nearly 180 years. The works have now been redeveloped as a shopping centre, railway museum and other mixed use facilities. Much of the existing core works buildings are now listed.

Salisbury Cathedral 2019

The painter John Constable became friends with John Fisher, (former Bishop of Salisbury) between 1807 and 1825. First visiting Fisher in Salisbury in 1811, their friendship grew over time, with Fisher officiating Constable’s marriage in 1816, and also commissioning a painting of Salisbury Cathedral. Fisher soon became Constable’s biggest patron, helping fund Constable for many years. Salisbury Cathedral and the surrounding landscape inspired many of Constable’s most notable paintings. When John Fisher died, Constable even commemorated him in a painting of his house.

Hinton Parva 2019

Hinton Parva, (also known as Little Hinton) is a small village just south of Swindon, sitting on the slopes of the Lambourne Downs. During WWII in 1943 as the Western allies were preparing for the invasion of Europe, many Wiltshire villages were being used as makeshift barracks for the huge influx of allied soldiers. Many villagers lived alongside the servicemen, but some were completely evicted for the military to carry out their activities, most famously so in Imber. Hinton Parva was also evacuated by the War Office for tanks to be stored before the offence. Unlike Imber, when the war was over the residents were allowed to take back what was theirs in Hinton Parva. 

Box Quarry, Corsham 2019

Box mine is part of a large network of mines and quarries that tunnel their way through Bath stone, near and under the town of Corsham. These underground networks have a long history dating back to the Romans, but were not just to harvest the stone. During WWII the military saw them for the first time as a valuable asset, many used as ammunition depots hidden and safe from enemy attack. One tunnel became the World’s largest underground factory, producing aircrafts for the war effort. After WWII ended, the network of tunnels remained an important asset to the military, with one quarry being used as the emergency relocation site for the government in the event of a nuclear attack. This site was still in use in the 1980’s and was only declassified in 2004. There is still a large military presence in and around Corsham, with secretive sites like the 'Command and Control Centre’ still fully active, but many of the quarries are not used anymore. Lying abandoned they have become a popular place for caving and underground explorers. 

St Laurence’s Church, Bradford-on-Avon 2019

Dates of the founding of the church is much debated and varies between 700AD and the 1000AD. The land was given to the Nuns of nearby Shaftesbury Abbey after being displaced by the Vikings. The church was built as a mortary chapel for the body of King Edward the Martyr, who was in the interim regarded as a Saint. The church was rediscovered in 1856 after being used as a school and an joining cottage. Once discovered it was restored in 1870-80 ,and quickly became apparent that the church was one of the most complete Anglo-Saxon buildings in the UK with very few later alterations. 

Railway Village, Swindon 2019

Built to supply housing to the workers of the Swindon railway works, Great Western Railway built terraced properties like many other Victorian industrial towns. Unlike other industrial built in rigs era, GWR also built medical and educational centres, the UK’s first lending library, a church and a pub. The medical facilities provided a complete health service for workers at the railway works. It is considered to have been the blueprint for the NHS. Swindon Borough Council applied to demolish the village in the 1960’s, but poet Sir John Betjeman successfully campaigned to save it. 

BCAC Hangers, Larkhill 2019

Larkhill was the site of the first army aerodrome. This short-lived aerodrome started when flying enthusiast Horatio Barber rented land to fly and store his plane in 1909, and was followed by others soon after. The War Office began to see the importance of aviation in war; because of this the aerodrome began to grow. Companies such as British & Colonial Aeroplane Company (which later became the Bristol Aeroplane Company) decided to build hangers at Larkhill. In 1912 the aerodrome held the first military aeroplane trials. With the continual successes of aviation in the Western world, other aerodromes around the country started to open and created competition for Larkhill. Although it was the first of it’s kind, Larkhill closed in 1914. All that is left of the aerodrome are the original BCAC hangers, which are now the oldest surviving aerodrome building in the UK and are grade II* listed structures. 

Tidworth 2019

A small village for most of its history, Tidworth didn’t change until in 1897, when the War Office purchased Tedworth house and a large area of land by the village. This was the start of Tidworth Camp, and Southern Command headquarters were established there in 1905.

The growth of the military camp was mirrored by the growth of Tidworth into a garrison town (a town containing a military base). By 2011 the population of the parish is 10,600. The town has one of the lowest crime rates in Wiltshire and was rated by the Royal Mail as the most attractive postcode area to live in 2014.

Robbers Stone, Gore Cross 2019

On a road between West Lavington and Gore Cross on Salisbury Plain there is one of two stones erected to commemorate a highway robbery that went wrong. This, the first stones of the two marks the spot of where the robbery happened. The transcription on the stone reads,

“AT THIS SPOT Mr. DEAN, of Imber. was attacked and Robbed by four Highwaymen, in the evening of Octr. 21st. 1839. After a spirited pursuit of three hours one of the Felons BENJAMIN COLCLOUGH fell dead on Chitterne Down. THOMAS SAUNDERS, GEORGE WATERS, & RICHARD HARRIS, were eventually Captured, and were convicted at the ensuing Quarter Sessions at Devizes, and transported for the term of Fifteen Years. This Monument is erected by Public Subscription as a warning to those who presumptuously think to escape the punishment God has threatened against Theives and Robbers.”

The second stone is erected on Chitterne Down, making the spot where one of the robbers died after being chased. The transcription on the second stone reads,

“This Monument is erected to record the awful end of BENJAMIN COLCLOUGH a Highway Robber who fell Dead, on this Spot, in attempting to escape his Pursuers after Robbing Mr Dean of Imber, in the Evening of Oct 21st 1839, and was buried at Chitterne without Funeral Rights. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them. Prov. 21. 7. His three companions in Iniquity THOMAS SAUNDERS GEORGE WATERS & RICHARD HARRIS were captured & sentenced at the ensuing Quarter Sessions at Devizes to Transportation for the Term of Fifteen Years. Though hand join in hand the wicked shall not be unpunished Prov 11. 21” 

Old Sarum 2019

The original site for the earliest settlement of Salisbury located North of Salisbury today. Evidence of a prehistoric settlement have been discovered from 3000BC onwards. An Iron Age hill fort was built around 400BC to help control local trade paths. Occupation of the site continued throughout the Roman and Saxon period. The biggest change on Old Sarum came during the Norman period, with construction of a motte and bailey castle in 1070, and the building of a stone wall around the settlement and a cathedral completed in 1092.

For the next couple of hundred years the settlement enjoyed its best years, with the Cathedral being refurbished and expanding the building to double the length in 1110’s. King Henry I then decided to build a royal palace within the curtain walls in 1130’s. Once the city continued to grow there was a apparent problem with lack of water in the settlement, so much that water was sold at inflated prices which led to talk of the Cathedral moving. In the late 11th and early 12th century the decision was made to move the Cathedral from Old Sarum to a new site. This was due to lack of water and the Cathedral repeatedly being damaged by wind and soldiers of the royal fortress restricting common folk access to the cathedral on serval occasions. Pope Honorius III agreed to the relocation and in 1220 building work began on the new Cathedral, and the settlement that grew around it was Salisbury. The settlement shows evidence on continued habitation but much of Old Sarum was razed to the ground to be used in the new settlement. In 1322 Edward II order for the castle to be demolition.    

Savernake Forest, Marlborough 2018

Situated on a chalk plateau just outside Marlborough, Savernake Forest is Britain’s only privately owned forest and home to a concentration of “Veteran” trees that is said to be the highest in Europe. The oldest being ‘Big Belly Oak,’ thought to be over 1100 years old and one of the fifty Great British trees named and honoured as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

King Henry VIII temporarily resided in Savernake in 1535 to hunt in the forest with Sir John Seymour. It is believed that during these hunting trips he met his future wife Jane Seymour.