holiday cottages wiltshire higher green farm

Near Warminster in Wiltshire (30 miles)

A National Trust property and a world famous example of the English landscape style, laid out between 1741 and 1780.  Classical temples, including the impressive Pantheon, are set around the central lake at the end of a series of vistas with mature woodland and exotic trees.  The garden is beautiful all year, with early displays of rhododendrons and amazing autumn colour.

The Palladian mansion has a magnificent interior, with a Regency library, an extensive picture collection and furniture by the younger Chippendale.  A 160ft folly, King Alfred’s Tower, on the wider estate, has stunning views across three counties. Self-service restaurant serving freshly prepared seasonal dishes, shop and plant centre open all year.

Near Tetbury in Gloucestershire (30 miles)

The National Arboretum is one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in the world, landscaped in 600 acres of grounds, with 17 miles of paths and 18,000 trees and shrubs.  Facilities include the Forest Shop, Plant Centre, Maples Restaurant and Courtyard Cafe.

Westonbirt is at its most colourful in spring (magnolias, rhododendrons, azaleas, bluebells, etc) and autumn (stunning autumn colours).  A wide range of events and workshops are held throughout the year, including outdoor concerts, the Festival of Wood and the Enchanted Wood illuminated trail.

Near Devizes (8 miles)

Home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne, this eighteenth century house was designed by Robert Adam.  On display in the exhibition rooms upstairs is a remarkable collection of family heirlooms built up over 250 years. These include Victoriana, Indiana, silver, porcelain and paintings.

This Wiltshire stately home stands in one of 'Capability' Brown's most beautiful parks with lake, terraces, waterfall and Doric temple.  Adventure playground for children 12 and under and indoor soft play palace.

Near Salisbury in Wiltshire (25 miles)

Wilton House, home to the 18th Earl of Pembroke, provides a fascinating insight into British history.  Built on the site of a ninth century nunnery but now set in 21 acres of landscaped parkland, with water and rose gardens beside the River Nadder and Palladian Bridge.  The magnificent Inigo Jones Staterooms include the famous Double Cube Room - the finest surviving seventeenth century stateroom in England - which was designed to display the family portraits by Van Dyck.

This is the greatest collection of paintings by the artist still to be seen in its original setting.  Within the Old Riding School visitors can see a recreated Tudor Kitchen, Victorian Laundry and award winning introductory film covering over 460 years of history narrated by Anna Massey.  There is a programme of special events throughout the year and for younger visitors there is an exciting adventure playground and quizzes in the house and grounds.

Near Warminster in Wiltshire (21 miles)

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful stately homes open to the public, this magnificent Elizabethan property is home to the 7th Marquess of Bath. Set within 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland, the house contains many fine treasures and that's not all.  Longleat offers a great day out for all the family.

From lions to tigers, monkeys to giraffe, discover many of the world's most majestic and endangered creatures within the Safari Park.  Get lost in the 'Longleat Hedge Maze', voyage on the Safari Boats, journey on the Longleat Railway, and much more.

Salisbury in Wiltshire (27 miles)

A National Trust property Mompesson House, ‘The House in The Close’, is a perfect example of Queen Anne architecture and was built for Charles Mompesson in 1701.  It is noted for its elegant and spacious interior, especially the magnificent plasterwork and fine oak staircase.  See the important Turnbull collection of eighteenth century drinking glasses, fine period furniture and charming walled garden with its garden tearoom.

Mompesson House featured as Mrs Jennings’ London home in the award-winning film ‘Sense and Sensibility’.

Near Lacock in Wiltshire (10 miles)

A visitor attraction in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside set within the picturesque grounds of historic Lackham House, visitors will discover a fascinating Museum of Agriculture and Rural Life, delightful display gardens, a meandering woodland walk and an animal trail.  In addition, a miniature passenger carrying railway, tractor and trailer tours and a homemade refreshments tea are available.  The formal and walled gardens include sensory and herb gardens, a wartime kitchen garden and a children's mini maze.

Near Devizes (9 miles)

A National Trust owned property and preserved village. 

Lacock Abbey was founded in the thirteenth century and dissolved in 1539 since when it has been the home of the Talbot family.  It consists of medieval cloisters and an eighteenth century Gothic hall and sixteenth century stable court.  It was the home of William Henry Fox Talbot the nineteenth century inventor of the photographic negative.

Salisbury in Wiltshire (27 miles)

Britain's finest thirteenth century cathedral. Discover nearly 800 years of history, including the world's best preserved Magna Carta (AD 1215) and Europe’s oldest working clock (AD 1386).  Salisbury Cathedral was built in just 38 years (AD 1220-1258) and is a magnificent example of Early English Gothic architecture.

Situated in the largest medieval Close in Britain, it is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings and eight acres of lawns.  Explore the roof spaces on a tower tour and experience breathtaking views of the nave from above, as well as out across Salisbury and inside Britain's tallest spire.

Be sure to visit the Refectory Restaurant and shop, housed in a modern glass-roofed building with the spectacular sight of the spire soaring high above.  All visitors are welcome to attend the daily services sung by choristers, continuing a tradition of worship that dates back nearly 750 years.

Swindon in Wiltshire (23 miles)

Located in a beautifully restored railway building, Steam tells the remarkable story of the men and women who built, operated and travelled on 'God's Wonderful Railway'.  The exhibition gives you the chance to experience the sights and sounds of the GWR works at Swindon - famous as the place where many of the best steam locomotives in the world were built - and to hear the stories of the men and women who worked there.

The museum also brings to life the exploits of Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the flamboyant engineer, and acknowledged genius, behind the creation of the GWR.

Steam is a fascinating journey for all the family, through the life and times of the GWR.

Devizes

Prince, Royal, Max and Tom are the latest in a long line of Shire horses which, apart from a brief interruption, have served Wadworth Brewery in Devizes for over one hundred years.  In their heyday, before the arrival of the internal combustion engine, more than forty Shires were used by the brewery to deliver their already famous beers to local inns and hostelries.

Ponies and traps were used by the brewery's representatives to call on customers.  It is a far cry from those tranquil, golden days, but the sight of the Wadworth Shires plodding their leisurely way through the ancient town of Devizes evokes memories of what used to be.  They still deliver to pubs situated within two miles of the brewery, and are a familiar and much loved part of the local scene.  The horses can be seen working in the town and can be visited.  A highlight of the year for the horses is their annual summer holiday when they have two weeks in Poulshot which starts with a pint each at the village pub!

Devizes

The Kennet & Avon Canal crosses the country from Reading to Bristol. Passing and running through towns and villages such as Devizes, Bradford on Avon and Bath.
 
The flight of 29 locks were engineer John Rennie's solution to climbing the very steep hill in Devizes, and were the last part of the 87 mile route of the Kennet and Avon canal to be completed.  Because of the steepness of the terrain there was not the space to use the normal arrangement of water pounds between the locks.  As a result, 16 of the locks utilise unusually large side ponds to store the water needed to operate.  Boaters and walkers alike can recover from the exertions of climbing the flight at the Caen Hill Cafe, delightfully situated at the top of the locks.

Near Devizes (9 miles)

If you haven’t visited Lacock before you will almost certainly have seen it as Lacock village and Abbey have been used as locations in TV and film productions of Pride and Prejudice, Moll Flanders, Emma and Harry Potter films.
Dating back to the thirteenth century, the village has remained largely unchanged over the centuries and has many limewashed, half-timbered and stone houses.  During the Middle Ages Lacock became a prosperous and thriving town through its wool industry.

The village was well placed for communications, sited as it was on the 'cloth road' from London and the River Avon, which gave access to the sea at Avonmouth near Bristol.

Near Devizes (19 miles)

A World Heritage site and instantly recognisable, Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, surrounded by remains of ceremonial and domestic structures - some older than the monument itself.  Many of these features - earthworks, burial mounds and other circular ‘henge’ monuments - are accessible by road or public footpath.

Stonehenge’s orientation on the rising and setting sun has always been one of its remarkable features.  Whether this was simply because the builders came from a sun worshipping culture, or because - as some scholars believe - the circle and its banks were part of a huge astronomical calendar, remains a mystery.  The site has a superb gift shop and Stonehenge Kitchen.

Near Devizes (10 miles)

At the centre of a pre-historic complex in the Marlborough Downs stands Avebury, a World Heritage site and the largest stone circle in Europe.  This circle features one of the most impressive henges in Britain as well as remains of a stone avenue.

Now a National Trust site it was originally erected about 4,500 years ago and many of the stones were re-erected in the 1930s by Alexander Keiller.  The Circles and henge enclose part of the village and are a hugely popular attraction.

Near Devizes (10 miles)

Silbury Hill is the largest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe. It was built over 4,000 years ago in the Neolithic period.  Today part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, the monument’s purpose and significance for prehistoric people remains unknown.

The mound, shaped like a truncated cone, has a base diameter of 168 metres and is 40 metres high.  Material for the mound was quarried from an enormous encircling ditch originally up to seven metres deep, but now silted up.

Near Devizes (20 miles)

Woodhenge is a Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age monument originally made up of a series of concentric circles of wooden poles within a circular bank and ditch.  It is of similar size to Stonehenge and lies between Larkhill and Amesbury, about 1 mile north east of the stone circle.

This site was first discovered in 1925 when rings of dark spots in a crop of wheat were noticed on aerial photographs.  Excavation of the site then showed that the dark spots were holes for wooden posts.

All over Wiltshire (all within 20 miles of Higher Green Farm)

Throughout the county are eight White Horses, cut from the chalk downs at various times over the last three centuries.  The newest overlooks Devizes and was created for the Millennium.  The oldest, in Westbury, created in 1778, is said to have replaced one commemorating a battle in 878.  They are all instantly recognisable and many people either walk or cycle the White Horse Trail visiting each in turn – a total distance of just over 90 miles.

18 miles from Higher Green farm

The World Heritage Site of Bath and the stunning countryside surrounding it is one of England's most beautiful places to visit.  Bath is a unique city; its hot springs, Roman Baths, splendid Abbey and Georgian stone crescents have attracted visitors for centuries and the city has recently been enhanced with the addition of the new Thermae Spa.

The compact city centre offers irresistible shopping and there are plenty of museums, sights and activities to enjoy in the surrounding area.

27 miles from Higher Green Farm

Salisbury has been a favourite destination with visitors for the past 800 years or more. With first class visitor attractions, theatres, events, shopping, eating and drinking it was voted, by Observer readers, in the top ten of the best British tourist destinations!

There is an abundance of historic listed buildings peppered throughout the city to explore – including the majestic sight that is Salisbury Cathedral’s spire’, Britain’s tallest, standing at a breathtaking 123 metres - together with modern high street shops that are mixed with specialist retail outlets with something for everyone.

The local area offers excellent opportunity for the committed rambler or those simply wishing to enjoy the peaceful countryside. There is a wealth of “walks” including the challenging White Horse Trail.

Guests are welcome to bring bicycles or they can be hired locally and you will literally be able to cycle from your front door right into the heart of the countryside. Alternatively you may wish to take a cycle along the towpaths of the Kennet and Avon Canal possibly stopping in one of the beautiful canal side pubs for lunch.

There are a number of stables locally offering everyone from the novice to the more experienced the chance to enjoy a splendid hack around the Wiltshire countryside.

Devizes and the surrounding area is great for angling from local salmon farms through to a day spent fishing by the Kennet and Avon Canal. There is a local angling store which should meet the needs of the keenest of anglers.

Wiltshire has a number of golf courses which are all within easy reach of Higher Green Farm – two worthy of mention – Bowood and North Wiltshire Golf Club are less than 15 minutes drive from here.

The local area can offer opportunities for both spectators and participants alike with the Castle Combe Circuit just 30 minutes away offering great driving experiences like the Rally School, the chance to try your hand at Formula Ford racing and other exciting Track Days.

During the summer and autumn months you will often see the sky dotted with hot air balloons and you could share in this delightful pastime with the Devizes area a frequent launch site for balloonists due to the spectacular countryside.

Laser clay pigeon shooting is available in the village itself. Totally safe and for all ages. Nearby there are a couple of traditional clay pigeon clubs.

Devizes has a rich and interesting past and with over 500 listed buildings stretching back to medieval times and apparently there are also one or two ghosts! A local expert will be able to take you on a fascinating guided tour of the town where you can learn more and who knows what you might find!

Devizes is home to the Wadworth Brewery which offers an excellent guided tour and they have recently added an impressive Visitor Centre in which you will be able to learn all about the brewing process and sample and purchase some of the world famous fine cask ales.

Being so close to the Kennet and Avon Canal and the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks you may well be inspired to take a canal boat trip yourself. At the Wharf in Devizes you will be able to experience a gentle meander along the canal on an afternoon’s pleasure trip or for the more independent the possibility of hiring a boat for an extended journey.

Both Bath and Salisbury offers an array of opportunities for shoppers and Swindon has lots of high street names as well as a couple of shopping centres and a Retail Outlet Village.

There are a host of things to keep the family amused including Bowood House and Gardens with its adventure playground, Longleat House and Safari Park which will satisfy the whole family and Lackham Country Park offering an animal trail, tractor rides and delightful garden walks.