Stonehenge sits at the heart of one of England's richest landscapes for prehistoric monuments, medieval heritage, and natural beauty. Whether you have an extra few hours after your Stonehenge visit or are planning a longer stay in Wiltshire, here are six outstanding attractions within easy reach, all worth a dedicated trip.
Exploring the Wiltshire Landscape
Wiltshire has a higher concentration of prehistoric monuments than almost any county in England. Stonehenge is the most famous, but the landscape around it, the Salisbury Plain, the Vale of Pewsey, and the Marlborough Downs, is dotted with long barrows, hillforts, chalk figures, and sacred sites spanning thousands of years. Most of the attractions below are best visited by car, though some are accessible by public transport from Salisbury.
17 miles north Free Entry
1. Avebury Stone Circle
Avebury is one of the most extraordinary prehistoric monuments in the world, and remarkably, it is even larger than Stonehenge. The henge monument encompasses the entire village of Avebury, with houses, pubs, and a church all sitting within the ancient earthworks and stone circles. Dating to around 2850–2200 BC, Avebury's outer circle is the largest megalithic stone circle in Europe, some 330 metres in diameter.
Why Visit
Unlike Stonehenge, you can walk freely among and touch the standing stones at Avebury, an experience that is viscerally different from viewing Stonehenge from a distance. Entry to the stone circle itself is free, though the National Trust visitor facilities have a charge. The nearby Alexander Keiller Museum provides excellent archaeological context.
Largest megalithic stone circle in Europe
Village sits inside the ancient monument
Free to enter the stone circles
National Trust visitor facilities on site
Managed by: National Trust
8 miles south Suggested Donation
2. Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral is a masterpiece of Early English Gothic architecture, built between 1220 and 1320 AD, one of the fastest construction projects of any medieval English cathedral. Its spire, at 123 metres, is the tallest in England and has dominated the Wiltshire landscape for nearly 700 years. The interior is vast, luminous, and extraordinarily harmonious, with a remarkable consistency of architectural style achieved because the main body was built so rapidly.
Why Visit
Salisbury Cathedral houses one of the four surviving original copies of Magna Carta, signed in 1215, a document of foundational importance to English law and democratic governance worldwide. The original parchment is displayed in a purpose-built exhibition space in the Chapter House and should not be missed. The cathedral's medieval clock, dating to 1386, is the oldest working mechanical clock in the world.
Tallest spire in England at 123 metres
Houses one of only 4 surviving Magna Carta copies
Oldest working mechanical clock in the world (1386)
World Heritage Site setting in Cathedral Close
Managed by: Church of England (open to all)
7 miles south English Heritage
3. Old Sarum
Old Sarum is the original site of Salisbury, an Iron Age hillfort later occupied by Romans, Saxons, and Normans before the population relocated to the present city in the 13th century. The site preserves the earthworks of an Iron Age hillfort, a Norman castle, and the foundations of the original Salisbury Cathedral, all set on a dramatic chalk plateau above the Wiltshire Plain. The views across the surrounding countryside are outstanding.
Why Visit
Old Sarum is one of England's most layered archaeological sites, preserving over 5,000 years of continuous human occupation in a single location. The site is managed by English Heritage and is very well interpreted, with clear explanations of each successive period of occupation. The elevated position makes it a wonderful spot for photography and enjoying the landscape, and it is rarely as crowded as Stonehenge or Salisbury itself.
Iron Age hillfort with 5,000 years of history
Norman castle ruins and cathedral foundations
Panoramic views across Wiltshire
Rarely crowded, a peaceful alternative
Managed by: English Heritage
25 miles northwest National Trust
4. Lacock Abbey
Lacock Abbey is one of the best-preserved medieval abbeys in England, founded as an Augustinian nunnery in 1232 and converted to a house following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 16th century. The medieval cloisters, sacristy, and chapter house survive almost entirely intact, while the converted abbey house is rich in later architectural history. The village of Lacock, owned almost entirely by the National Trust, is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval villages in England.
Why Visit
Lacock Abbey is internationally famous as a filming location, it has doubled as Hogwarts in the early Harry Potter films and as Netherfield in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. The combination of its real medieval history and its cinematic fame makes it a fascinating visit. The village itself, with its timber-framed cottages, packhorse bridges, and unspoiled lanes, feels genuinely transported from the 14th century.
Medieval cloisters and chapter house intact since 1232
Filming location for Harry Potter and Pride & Prejudice
Perfectly preserved medieval village
Fox Talbot Museum of Photography on site
Managed by: National Trust
15 miles northwest Paid Entry
5. Longleat
Longleat is one of the great stately homes of England, an Elizabethan palace completed in 1580 and set in 900 acres of parkland landscaped by Capability Brown. In 1966, the 6th Marquess of Bath opened Britain's first drive-through safari park outside Africa, and today Longleat combines the magnificence of the historic house with African lions, giraffes, rhinos, and wolves roaming the grounds. It is a genuinely remarkable combination of English heritage and unexpected wildlife spectacle.
Why Visit
Longleat Safari & Adventure Park is unlike any other attraction in southern England. The drive-through safari route brings you within metres of lions, giraffes, white rhinos, zebras, and more. The house itself, filled with extraordinary art and furnishings collected over four centuries, is equally impressive. The estate also contains a famous maze, one of the longest in the world, and extensive garden attractions. Allow at least half a day to do it justice.
First safari park outside Africa, opened 1966
Elizabethan mansion completed 1580
Drive-through experience with lions, giraffes, rhinos
The White Horse at Westbury is a chalk hill figure cut into the steep northern face of Bratton Down, overlooking the Vale of Pewsey and the Wiltshire Plain. The current figure dates from 1778, when it replaced a much older horse that was cut to commemorate King Alfred's victory over the Danes at the Battle of Ethandun in 878 AD. Above the White Horse stands Bratton Camp, a substantial Iron Age hillfort enclosing 25 acres, with impressive earthwork ramparts still clearly visible.
Why Visit
The White Horse at Westbury is one of the most dramatic viewpoints in Wiltshire, on a clear day, you can see across five counties from the edge of Bratton Down. The site is entirely free to visit, accessible by car and on foot, and combines prehistoric earthworks, a famous chalk figure, and spectacular scenery in a single location. It is an ideal stop if you have your own transport and want to explore the wider prehistoric landscape of the Wiltshire Downs.
One of Wiltshire's most recognisable landmarks
Views across five counties on clear days
Iron Age hillfort (Bratton Camp) immediately above
Entirely free and openly accessible
Managed by: English Heritage (Bratton Camp); publicly accessible
Getting Around Wiltshire
By Car
A car gives you the maximum flexibility to combine Stonehenge with any of the above attractions. Most are within 30 minutes of the Stonehenge car park. Parking is available at all sites. The A303 and A36 are the main routes connecting Stonehenge to Salisbury, Avebury, and further afield.
By Bus from Salisbury
From Salisbury train station, Stonehenge operates a dedicated shuttle bus (the Stonehenge Tour) during the season. Salisbury itself is easily reached by train from London Waterloo (90 minutes). Avebury is accessible by bus from Swindon. Most other attractions are best reached by car or taxi.
Guided Tours
Several guided tours from London combine Stonehenge with nearby attractions in a single day. These handle all transport logistics and typically include commentary on the history and significance of each site. They are the easiest way to visit multiple attractions without a hire car.
Staying Overnight
Salisbury makes an excellent base for exploring the region. With good hotels, excellent restaurants, and its own cathedral to explore, staying one or two nights allows you to visit Stonehenge, Avebury, Old Sarum, and Salisbury Cathedral without rushing. Amesbury, closer to Stonehenge, also has accommodation options. See our full accommodation guide for hotels, B&Bs and campsites.
Combine Stonehenge With Other Destinations
If you're travelling from London, our combo tours make it easy to combine Stonehenge with other great English destinations, all in a single guided day trip with return transport included.