Whether you prefer an elegant country-house hotel, a rustic farm stay, a family-run bed and breakfast or a self-catering cottage with a chef’s kitchen, the beautiful Wiltshire countryside has plenty to offer. In the village of Sutton Mandeville, Manor Farm Cottages now features the Calf Shed holiday studio, a contemporary retreat with a state-of-the-art kitchen and a glassed-in terrace. New rooms have also opened at The Green Dragon in Market Lavington and at Timbrell’s Yard in Bradford on Avon. For a luxury experience, Red Lion Freehouse in East Chisenbury combines a five-star boutique guesthouse with a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Food lovers will find a wealth of experiences across Wiltshire. Book a hands-on session at one of the county’s cookery schools, such as Larmer Tree in Tollard Royal, Vaughan’s Cookery School in Devizes or the Cookery School at Lucknam Park Hotel in Colerne, which is offering master classes this year. Whatley Manor also hosts one-day master classes led by Michelin-starred chef Martin Burge, giving food enthusiasts the chance to learn from top professionals.
Plan your visit to coincide with one of Wiltshire’s many food and drink events. Upcoming highlights include the Malmesbury Beer Festival (April 10), the Artisan Food Festival at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens (May 28) and the Swindon & Cricklade Railway’s Real Ale & Cider Festival (May 28–30). The Swindon Food & Drink Festival at Lydiard Park runs June 25–26, offering a wide selection of local producers, street food and family-friendly activities. These events are ideal for sampling local ales, regional specialties and artisan products while discovering the county’s varied culinary scene.