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Planning a trip by bus

Planning a trip by bus means you don’t have to worry about finding a place to park or driving when you’re tired. Some routes are run with double deck buses offering grandstand views of the countryside and you can enjoy a pub lunch without worrying whether you’re safe to drive.

For a longer trip, there are plenty of places to stay, with  accommodation to suit different needs, whether that be a luxury hotel, a cosy B&B, a break on a farm, a self catering cottage, a camping break or in something a bit different like a shepherds hut or glamping pod.

1.  Avebury and Devizes

At the centre of a pre-historic complex in the Marlborough Downs stands Avebury, the largest stone circle in the world. This circle features one of the most impressive henges in Britain as well as remains of a stone avenue.

Devizes is an historic market town with a colourful medieval past. A fascinating Medieval Trail chronicles these turbulent events and takes the visitor around the town to points of interest. And don’t miss the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, home to outstanding collections tracing the history of Wiltshire over the last 6,000 years.

Put on your walking shoes and enjoy routes along the Kennet & Avon Canal towpath, follow the Mid Wilts way to the Millennium White Horse, or walk out to Roundway Hill and Oliver’s Castle.

Key bus route: 49 via Swindon – Avebury – Devizes – Trowbridge

2.  Stonehenge and Amesbury

The Stonehenge Tour Bus is one of the best way to enjoy the World Heritage Site, with additional stops at the Iron Age Hill fort of Old Sarum and Salisbury Cathedral where you can discover the world’s finest original Magna Carta, the world’s oldest working clock and over 750 years of history.

Amesbury Museum & Heritage Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 4pm. With recent evidence of continuous settlement since before 7500BC and a breath taking Mesolithic collection that is greater in quantity (from one single location) than any other found in this country, the town’s new Museum at the Melor Hall, Church Street will amaze visitors with its story of life before the stones and its mind blowing artefacts from the town where history began.

Key bus route from Salisbury to Stonehenge: Stonehenge Tour Bus

Key bus routes from Salisbury to AmesburyX5 or Active8

Key bus route from Devizes2 via Devizes – Shrewton – Salisbury

3. West Wiltshire Market towns

Bradford-on-Avon sits on the edge of the Cotswolds facing the river Avon. You can hire a bike and explore some of our suggested cycle routes such as the Kennet & Avon Canal. Or explore one of the town’s leisure walks or follow the Treasure Trail to discover the history of the town.

Westbury is home to one of Wiltshire’s famous White Horses. You can access the Imber Range perimeter path or the Wessex Ridgeway from Warminster or Westbury.

Warminster lies on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty within Wiltshire. Stay for a few days on a guided walking holiday with Foot trails  or Footpath holidays.

Key bus route: D1 via Bath – Bradford-on-Avon – Trowbridge – Westbury – Warminster

4.  Days out from Salisbury

Take a bus out from Salisbury and then explore the countryside using the Salisbury bus walking map. There are five rivers, a wealth of wild flowers (bluebells in spring, wild orchids in summer), birds and butterflies. The landscape has archaeological sites including barrows and earthworks and the downs and ridges give lovely panoramic views.

Have a look at the bus links between Salisbury and the New Forest. You can follow a route along the Avon Valley Path or visit Peppa Pig world at Paulton’s Park.

Key bus routes:

Various shown on maps –check Salisbury Reds or Traveline for timetables.

X7  (Salisbury Reds)  Salisbury to Paulton’s Park

5.  Marlborough and Salisbury

Marlborough is a stylish and cosmopolitan town with a strong chic café culture. Famous for its charming High Street and many independent shops, it also has a street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

As well as its famous Cathedral, Salisbury has a thriving market, a buzzing arts scene, museums and some of England’s finest historic houses waiting to be explored.

Key bus routes:

 X3 (Salisbury Reds)  Via Bournemouth – Fordingbridge -Ringwood – Salisbury

X5 (Salisbury Reds)  Via Salisbury – Amesbury – Pewsey – Marlborough – Swindon

80 (Stagecoach bus) Swindon to Marlborough

X7 (Salisbury Reds)  Southampton to Salisbury

Design your own Bus days out

You can use our journey planner to find more key bus routes to these destinations and more, while a Wiltshire Day Rover could be just the ticket.

 

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