Our guide to luxury Wiltshire holidays

Nestled in the southwest, Wiltshire is a pastoral haven with sweeping landscapes and ancient wonders in every direction. Despite its serene setting, it’s close to the bustling heart of London; urban landscapes soon turn to rolling barley fields in little under two hours. By train, the travel time typically ranges between an hour to an hour and half, with plenty whizzing past en route to savour through the window.

An ancient, Neolithic stone circle, Stonehenge is steeped in mystique and lures thousands of visitors from across the globe. Whilst entry to the ‘inner circle’ of the stones needs a ticket, the site itself is surrounded by beautiful countryside with public access trails. A fenced viewing area outside the barriers is free of charge, but it is a short distance away. For those who wish to get up close, it’s best to buy access to the ticketed trail from the English Heritage. As the sun sets, you can’t help but wonder about the mysteries of its creation, unsolved across the ages.

The city’s historic Roman Baths are closed for public bathing but were used as recently as the 1970s for water therapies. Of course, you can still step back through time and explore the bath’s well-preserved ruins, temples, and thermal springs for a glimpse into Roman life, architectural grandeur overhead, intricate mosaics underfoot. Thermae Bath Spa next door is the modern equivalent, using Bath’s natural hot springs as its source. It can get busy, so its best seen off-peak during the week.

Considered to be the best of British horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival draws glamously dressed crowds from far and wide. Among its prestigious races, none rival the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Fiercely contested, the race is a three-mile test of stamina and jumping prowess, challenging the finest steeplechasers and their jockeys against cheers of nerves and excitement among the crowd. The atmosphere is electric and quite unlike anything else; arrive early to jockey for position, for the grounds are packed.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cranborne Chase is renowned for its tranquil landscapes, rolling chalk hills, and lush woodlands – idyllic for wanderers seeking respite from the hustle and bustle or ramblers in search of solitude. An abundance of archaeological sites, prehistoric earthworks, and mediaeval relics whisper secrets of the past, keeping history buffs on their toes. It’s also a designated Dark Sky Reserve, making for just the spot to go hunting for shooting stars after dinner at the local pub.