The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum


Come and find out about the life of the infantry soldier from Berkshire and Wiltshire from 1743 to the present day. This year’s new exhibition is:


‘The Victoria Cross’ Open 5 February until


30 November 2013 Monday to Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday


12 noon - 4.30pm www.thewardrobe.org.uk


The surrounding villages also provide many events such as the Oak Apple Day celebrations at Great Wishford, Corsley Show, and the Heytesbury Extravaganza. Longleat Park is the venue for a regular calendar of events including the Last Night of the Proms, a balloon fiesta, and the annual horse trials. Details and dates of all events are available from the Tourist Information Centre.


Steeple Langford village boasts a historic Norman church containing a Purbeck marble Norman font and a ‘squint’ aperture in the wall as its main attraction. The picturesque Langford lakes Nature Reserve is on the outskirts of the village. Hindon is a small Georgian village full of character and charm and well worth a visit, with little imagination you could almost have travelled centuries back in time.


Broad Chalke is home to the popular Gurston Down hill climb that attracts many hundreds of visitors every year. The village is has been home to several notable people, including Sir Anthony Eden, Sir Cecil Beaton, musicians Toyah Wilcox and Robert Fripp. The author James Holland and Sir Terry Pratchett are current residents. Stoke Farthing is very close to Broad Chalke and ideally situated for the Wiltshire Cycleway.


Tisbury, often referred to as the capital of the Nadder Valley, is easily reached from the M4 and is a good place to break a journey. It is part of a designated area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and expansive wild countryside. A landmark of interest to visit in the area is the Old Wardour Castle, nearby is Stonehenge and if you are travelling by road it is short trip to Salisbury. Fonthill Bishop has Fonthill Lake, the ruins of a 17C Abbey and outstandingly beautiful surrounding countryside. Barford St. Martin is on the River Nadder and a great place to visit Salisbury, Stonehenge and the rest of Wiltshire. Fovant is home to the famous regimental badges that can be viewed from lay-bys on the A30.


Teffont is one village but through history it has been two - Teffont Evias and Teffont Magna, the two lie close together in the lovely Nadder Valley and although adjacent have each had a completely different history both names are still used today. The spring fed stream gushes from the ground just north of Teffont Magna known as ‘The Teff’ or ‘Teffont Brook’ winds; its way through Teffont has attracted visitors to the area for thousands of years. There is a village show in the summer and this village is home to the Farmer Giles Farm attraction.


Chilmark is well known for its stone some of which was used for Salisbury and Chichester Cathedrals as well as Wilton House. The village is set on a gentle slope with beautiful buildings surrounding the area.


The vast Salisbury Plain with its Roman and Norman settlements; remains of defence earthworks, burial and ceremonial grounds, plus the world renowned Stonehenge is unmissable.


Winterbourne Stoke is just one mile west of Stonehenge with a collection of stone cottages along winding lanes accompanied by its beautiful flint and stone facade that fronts the village manor house. Durrington is a short distance of both Stonehenge and Woodhenge. The village is surrounded by the Neolithic monument Durrington Walls, which at five hundred metres in diameter is the largest Henge in Britain.


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Great Wishford is near the River Wylye and steeped in history with the old village fire engine from 16C is kept at St Giles church.


Tidworth is a good place to use as a base to visit the surrounding villages and attractions such as Chute Forest, Collingbourne Ducis, Collingbourne Kingston, Everleigh, Tidcombe and Fosbury.


Amesbury is two miles to Stonehenge and one and a half miles to Woodhenge. The town has some very attractive buildings to see, as well as a Museum which holds details of the town from Mesolithic times to the current day. Close to the town is Lords Walk permitting a combined unique view of the River Avon as well as a walk down the old Lime Tree way leading to the Abbey. Visit the Church which has a 15C clock that is believed to have been built for the Benedictine Abbey. Originally, it had neither hands nor a dial as its sole purpose was to herald the times of worship by announcing the hour.


To the South of the town lies Archers Gate, named after the Amesbury Archer who was found near there. A sculpture depicting the Archer stands in the arcade at Archers Gate. There are many interesting walks both in the Stonehenge Landscape and close to the River Avon, guides to these walks and information on other activities in and around the town can be found in the Community & Visitor Centre. Take time to explore the beautiful Woodford Valley with its pretty thatched cottages and traditional pubs.


Wilton, of carpet fame, is just three miles north of Salisbury. Market day is Thursday and there is the Wilton Shopping Village plus the usual traditional shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Within a short walk of the Market Square and St Mary’s Ruin there is the famous Italianate Church with a delightful river walk along the River Wylye. On the edge of the town centre is Wilton House with the magnificent Inigo Jones Staterooms that include the famous Double Cube Room; the finest surviving 17C stateroom in England.


Salisbury has something for everyone, there is the magnificent Salisbury Cathedral immortalised by painters such as Turner and Constable the Cathedral has been called England’s most beautiful building and the Close around it is outstandingly beautiful. When visiting Cathedral Close be sure to leave enough time to visit the other attractions, including the Wardrobe (Rifles Museum), the National Trust Mompesson House, and the very interesting Salisbury Museum. Plus there are many more things to do & visit throughout the city.


WARDROBE (RIFLES MUSEUM). This is the home of the infantry regiments of Berkshire & Wiltshire. The museum has a collection of thirty six thousand objects, wonderful gardens, a shop and the house can be hired for weddings, corporate meetings etc. This is really a venue that should be on every visitors list.


Market days in Salisbury are noisy, busy and full of character. For the evenings there are some great venues including the City Hall, Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre and much more. There are several festivals during the season including the Food and Drink Festival, and the Advent Procession in December is spectacular. For pleasant walks the Tourist Information Centre has a wide range of guides to help you to explore and enjoy the city.


The Winterslows, just outside Salisbury, acts as a peaceful place to stay whilst you visit the surrounding delights in South Wiltshire. This is an ideal base for walking the Clarendon Way between Winchester and Salisbury.


Alderbury has a range of pubs and Alderbury House, a late 18C residence that is said to have been built of materials from the bell tower of Salisbury Cathedral after it had been pulled down in 1789.


Whiteparish is a largely wooded parish just on the edge of the New Forest. The village also boasts a choice of public houses and guesthouses to suit the needs of visitors to the area. Nomansland the only part of the New Forest National Park to be officially in Wiltshire, is picturesque and peaceful with roaming ponies and wildlife surrounding the roads and houses.


We hope that you enjoy Wiltshire and return many times.


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