Wiltshire is a magical place to visit all year round, boasting magnificent landscapes to explore, unique activities to get involved in, and picturesque market towns to browse. During the winter months, our county is particularly stunning; as frosty mornings create mystical white blankets across the countryside, trees shed their vibrant autumn leaves which crunch beneath your feet, and cosy pubs light entrancing, crackling fires. One of our favourite activities at this time of year is to wrap up warm in a big coat, grab your walking boots, and head out to explore the very best of Wiltshire’s landscapes. Keep reading to discover some of our favourite winter walks in Wiltshire!
Top 5 Winter Walks in Wiltshire
1) Lacock
A gorgeous spot for a winter wander in Wiltshire is Lacock, a charming village which boasts a historic country house formerly owned by William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the photographic negative. The village of Lacock is one of the most picturesque in the county, making it perfect for a wonderful winter walk. Harry Potter fans will love visiting here, as the surroundings were used as filming locations for many of the Hogwarts scenes! If you’re feeling brave enough, you can even walk through the ford – don’t forget to bring your wellies! When you’re ready to take the weight off your feet, head to The Rising Sun for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink accompanied by crackling fires to keep you warm.
Distance from Mill Farm Glamping: 25-minute drive
2) Avebury, Windmill Hill & Silbury Hill
For an awe-inspiring tour of some of Wiltshire’s greatest landscapes, embark on the figure of eight loop from Avebury to Windmill Hill and back again, before heading down to Silbury Hill and returning to Avebury village. Avebury is home to the world’s largest Neolithic stone circle, and you can find an abundance of prehistoric sites and monuments dotted around the surrounding landscape. The fascinating ancient stones look particularly mysterious on a misty winter’s morning, and the village is much quieter at this time of year, making it perfect for a winter walk. The nearby pub The Red Lion is a lovely spot to warm your hands by the fire and enjoy some tasty, traditional pub food to refuel before the rest of your walk.
The walk is moderately challenging, with some sections crossing fields and grassland and climbing hills. The route is seven miles long and takes between three and four hours to complete – so make sure you pack plenty of supplies!
Distance from Mill Farm Glamping: 30-minute drive
3) Bradford on Avon to Dundas Aqueduct
Fancy a leisurely stroll beside a tranquil canal? A wonderful walk from the centre of Bradford-on-Avon, heading west, takes you along the beautiful canal for the first hour and a half, featuring two grand aqueducts. At the second, Dundas Aqueduct, you can head steeply up hill and follow quiet country lanes back through the villages of Winsley, Turleigh and back to Bradford-on-Avon. Taking around three hours in total, the walk covers about eight miles and most of the journey is flat, apart from one steep and muddy hillside which may be tricky in the winter. The Lock Inn Café makes the perfect spot to stop for a bite to eat when you arrive back in Bradford-on-Avon, boasting lovely views over the canal.
Distance from Mill Farm Glamping: 30-minute drive
4) Langford Lakes Nature Reserve
A fantastic spot to visit for a winter walk in Wiltshire is Langford Lakes Nature Reserve near Salisbury. There are four magnificent lakes which attract a wide variety of birds throughout the year, including a range of winter wildfowl during the colder months. The walk here is a short one-mile circular walk around the Long Pond which should take about 20 minutes, but there is so much beauty to admire that you may find yourself stopping along the way to soak it all in! It’s also a very flat walk and easily accessible for those using prams or wheelchairs, so it’s ideal for bringing little ones in their push chairs to get some fresh air amongst stunning scenery.
Once your walk is completed, head to The Rainbow on the Lake pub, just a short drive away, to find a fantastic range of food and drink, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Distance from Mill Farm Glamping: 40-minute drive
5) Great Bedwyn & Wilton Windmill
Love encountering winter wildlife and discovering historic sites? The perfect walk to see all this and more begins at Great Bedwyn railway station, following the Kennet and Avon Canal. When you reach the Crofton Pumping Station, head uphill to Wilton Windmill, before returning to Bedwyn via quiet country lanes and woodland paths. As well as a wealth of wildlife to spot on this walk, you’ll encounter the impressive industrial sight Crofton Beam Engines (which is sadly closed during the winter months), and there are incredible views of the countryside to uncover from the historic Wilton Windmill. When you arrive back in Great Bedwyn, a delightful pub to visit is The Three Tuns, located right in the heart of the village. This award-winning independent pub has an excellent local reputation for their food and beers.
The walk is around five miles long and takes about two hours to complete. The route covers easy terrain with some hills, meaning it would not be suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs.
Distance from Mill Farm Glamping: 45-minute drive
Magical Winter Stays at Mill Farm Glamping
Looking for the perfect place to stay during your wonderful winter trip to Wiltshire? You’ll find everything you need here at Mill Farm Glamping! Experience our one-of-a-kind treehouse retreat named King Arthur’s Willow, ideal for family breaks of up to six people. Mill Farm House is a beautiful, large house sleeping up to eight people, making it perfect for larger family groups. Our Shire Houses are a real treat for fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, set in a beautiful meadow and featuring incredible attention to detail, including water well hot tubs!
Each of these accommodations are open throughout the year and have limited availability in December for charming breaks in the lead up to Christmas. Mill Farm House even has availability remaining for Christmas and New Year’s Eve, so book your magical winter stay at Mill Farm Glamping today!
