Jetting off on holiday is not as easy as it used to be. With countries cracking down on holiday lets, hiking tourist taxes, charging for popular attractions and imposing curfews, going abroad is becoming more expensive and less convenient.
It’s tempting to head far away from the UK around this time of year, in search of warmer climates and smilier faces, but we often forget about the magical destinations we have right on our doorstep.
And, research by Airbnb has found that Brits are flocking to an unexpected spot this festive season: a quaint market town on the edge of the Salisbury Plain.
Warminster in Wiltshire has been named one of the rental platform’s top 10 trending UK destinations.
And while it might not be the first place that springs to mind when you think ‘holiday’ or even ‘staycation’, the town is steeped in natural beauty and history, with plenty to do for the whole family.
How to get to Warminster
Warminster is located in southwest Wiltshire, on the western side of the Salisbury Plain. It’s about 18 miles away from Bath, under 30 miles from Glastonbury, and a stone’s throw from Stonehenge.
The quickest way to get to Warminster from London is by train, though you’ll have to change at Salisbury, Southhampton or Bath.
Alternatively, you can drive there from London in around three hours (or less) via the M3, M4 and A303.
Things to do in Warminster
Get in the Christmas spirit
On Saturday November 30, Warminster’s Christmas Celebration will see residents and tourists alike take to the streets for an array of market stalls, a Santa’s Grotto, carols, and performances from local bands.
Alternatively, Bath – which is just a 30-minute train ride away – opens its Christmas Market on Thursday November 28, offering a winter break that’s as festive as can be.
Wander around the quaint streets
Warminster is a market town filled with independent eateries. Grab a pizza or tapas at the Old Fire Station restaurant, which Ellie G on Tripadvisor called a ‘hidden gem’, or go for coffee and cake in the ‘delightful’ Taste Deli.
There’s also a shopping centre with a whole host of popular retailers — but don’t forget to check out the independent shops around the town for cute, handmade decor.
See a show at the Athenaeum Centre
The Athenaeum Centre is the oldest working theatre in Wiltshire, run mainly by volunteers. If you’re heading to Warminster with children around Christmas, this year’s pantomime is Beauty and the Beast, and it’s running from December 12 to Christmas Eve.
David, who went to the panto last year, said the show was ‘fantastic’ on Tripadvisor, adding: ‘We are lucky to have such a gem of a place and is well supported by the community.’
Check out the festivities at Longleat Safari Park
Longleat, which is just an eight-minute drive from Warminster, was the first ever safari to open outside of Africa. It’s home to the longest maze in the country and has loads of Christmas activities for the family.
You can book tickets now for a winter safari, and the lions and tigers are ‘particularly active’ in the cooler weather, according to the website.
Kiddies can also take a ride on the Santa train and there’s the Festival of Light, an Enchanted Christmas Tree show along with a variety of guided house tours to choose from.
Take a walk up Cley Hill
If hikes are more your thing, Cley Hill is absolutely beautiful in winter.
The 30-minute moderate walk to the top offers panoramic views of the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, for a dose of history, you can also check out the Iron Age hillfort and Bronze Age burial mounds.
Stourhead, which is about 25 minutes away from Warminster by car, is another great option for a less-steep winter walk. It’s home to a Grade I-listed mansion from the 18th century and one of the most famous landscape gardens in the country.
Visit the Warminster UFO Mural
Finally, if you’re after some wacky Warminster history, the UFO Mural near the Warminster Community Hub is well worth a trip.
Back in 1965, numerous people reported sitings of a UFO in the town, which became known as the Warminster Thing.
The mural was painted by a secret artist working with the Warminster Information Centre and is meant to ‘immortalise’ the history.
Graeme M heard about the Warminster Thing in the ‘70s and got to visit the town in 2021, six years after the mural was painted.
‘If you are interested in alternative items to see, then this is certainly that,’ he wrote on Tripadvisor.
‘Well worth a photo or two.’
Where to stay in Warminster
For a cheaper stay
Family rooms at the Travelodge Warminster start at £45 per night, offering a perfect base for your break. Book here.
For a luxury stay
If you’re looking for something a little swankier, family rooms at the Bishopstrow Hotel and Spa start from £285 per night. Book now.
Fancy an Airbnb?
This lovely cottage costs £96 per night, and sleeps six guests. Book now.
Prices checked in November 2024.
This article was first published on November 11, 2024.
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