Tourism is an essential part of the Wiltshire economy. The sector is valued at around £780 million and supports 19,595 jobs (6% of the total workforce in the county).

A large proportion of Wiltshire’s landscape falls within three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs, the North Wessex Downs and the Cotswolds. The county is home to a range of attractive historic towns, market towns and villages including the medieval city of Salisbury, Marlborough, Malmesbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes and Lacock, and lies adjacent to one of the UK’s most recent National Parks – the New Forest.

No surprise, then, that the list of heritage attractions is huge, including Stonehenge and Avebury; Salisbury Cathedral, Lacock Abbey, Longleat,  Wilton House, Stourhead, Abbey House Gardens and Wadworth Brewery.

More contemporary activities encompass the Adventure Playground at Bowood House, Castle Combe racing circuit and Salisbury Racecourse, supported by numerous opportunities for outdoor sports and leisure activities. 

There is a full calendar of events, including Salisbury International Arts Festival, Chippenham Folk Festival, Marlborough Jazz Festival, Devizes Festival and WOMAD. Several towns around the county hold annual food and drink fairs.

The Wiltshire Tourism Skills Network provides useful information for employers, employees, students, schools, colleges and training providers about employment and training in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The future of Wiltshire Tourism

A number of opportunities have been identified for tourism-related investment, including high-quality accommodation and new attractions.

VisitWiltshire - the official tourism public-private sector, membership-based partnership for the county of Wiltshire - provides a united voice and strategic direction for tourism, whilst taking a joined up approach to the development, marketing and management of the visitor economy in Wiltshire. 

For more information please visit www.visitwiltshire.co.uk .