Totteridge Farm
Where to go and what to see
Totteridge Farm lies in the heart of the Vale of Pewsey, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with Martinsell Hill and the Marlborough Downs to the north, and Salisbury Plain to the south.
This is classic rural Wiltshire, and while many pass through on their way to south west, they miss out on the fantastic places and experiences that a visit to the Vale of Pewsey offers.
Whether it's the World Heritage Neolithic sites of Stonehenge and Avebury, the superb walking, cycling and riding opportunities, our historic market towns, Crop Circles or even skydiving, there's plenty to see and do, and a host of great places to eat, drink and rest after a busy day in the great outdoors.
And if you want to look further afield, you can be in Bath, Salisbury or Winchester within an hour, to find great shopping, explore the Roman Baths, or see the Magna Carta and climb the spire of Salisbury's 800 year old Cathedral - the highest in Britain.
We've listed some of the things you can see and do during your stay at Totteridge Farm, or you can try some of the recommended days out on our Plan your Stay page, which is coming soon. This list is just for starters, and there are many more gems to be discovered and explored during your stay at Totteridge Farm There's more information from our local tourism agencies, and you can click on their web sites below. And , of course, you can ask us - we'll be glad to help!
Within 5 miles:
Pewsey
A supermarket, local shops, pubs, cafes and takeaways, just two miles away. The mainline train station takes you to London Paddington in just over an hour, and also links up with the South West, right to the tip of Cornwall. The famous Pewsey Carnival is on the third weekend of September. The new Sports Campus opened in late 2018, for swimming, sports halls and a gym. Walk to Pewsey along the canal towpath, and stop for a bite and a beer at the Waterfront Bar and Bistro at Pewsey Wharf.
Milton Lilbourne
Our local village, with its pretty street, leading to Milton Hill, which has fantastic views over the vale, and a network of footpaths, bridleways and by-ways to take you further afield in all directions.
Step back in time, and go for a pint in The Bruce Arms - otherwise known as 'the Gammon' - a charming Victorian beer house, full of character (and characters!) on the Burbage road, half a mile from the crossroads. It's just a 20-minute walk through the meadows from the farm.
Wootton Rivers
A village bordering the Kennet & Avon Canal, full of thatched cottages, and the well-known Royal Oak pub - a 16th century thatched inn with a wide-ranging menu, and a large selection of real ales, wines and spirits to match. It's a lovely 40-minute walk along the canal towpath to get there, although if you stay there for any length of time, it may take a little longer to get back!
Wilcot
A pretty village on the far side of Pewsey, which can be reached by the canal towpath. We like it for the friendly Golden Swan pub with its home-cooked food! (Can you see a pattern emerging here?) Big platefuls at a very affordable price, and great Fish & Chips, or book in for the Steak Nights on the last Friday of every month. Wash it all down with well-kept Wadworth's beers or a glass of wine! A good one for cyclists.
Martinsell Hill
That's the one you see across the vale, from the porch of your camping pod, or the front window of your caravan! It's an hour's walk to get there, and you can see for miles! The views of the Pewsey Vale are stunning, and you can see beyond, into Berkshire to the east, towards Warminster to the west, and it's also possible to see Salisbury Cathedral Spire on a clear day.
Get a lift there with us, and wander back down on foot!
Kennet & Avon Canal
Stretching from Bristol to the Thames at Reading, the "K&A" passes along the farm boundary, and is only ten minutes' walk from the camp site. From there, you can walk or cycle eastwards towards Pewsey, Wilcot, Honeystreet and Devizes, or eastwards to Wootton Rivers, Burbage, the mile-long Bruce Tunnel, Crofton and the Bedwyns. Beautiful landscapes with lots of history all the way, and wildlife galore!
Within 10 miles:
Marlborough
Shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants... and that's just for starters: Marlborough's History goes back to 1204 AD, and its beginnings far earlier. The famous wide High Street hosts a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and is lined with quality shops and hostelries, while the western end of town is dominated by the renowned Marlborough College, which hosts its popular Summer School in July and August.
Devizes
A quintessential Wiltshire market town, dominated at one end by the imposing Wadworth brewery building. Don't miss the Thursday market, 'the Shambles',or the narrow back streets of tiny boutiques, and be sure to visit the famous Caen hill locks - a real feat of canal engineering.
Avebury
For a great Neolithic experience, we'd rate Avebury above Stonehenge; a massive stone circle, with a charming village at its heart, plus a Manor, Church and Tithe Barn to add to the experience. Silbury Hill and the West Kennet are just a mile or so away, and you can rest your feet and recharge your batteries at the charming Waggon & Horses coaching inn at Beckhampton.
Cherhill
Just beyond Avebury, on the A4 towards Chippenham, hike up to the obelisk that is Cherhill monument, above one of Wiltshire's finest chalk White Horses. As you might expect, the views are superb.
Try coming home via Calne, and detour to the village of Heddington, for a pint at the Ivy Inn - utterly charming... but don't get lost in the lanes on the way back!
Crofton
At the highest point of the Kennet & Avon Canal, Crofton has the oldest working steam-powered beam engines in the world. Although open from Easter to October, the engines are only in steam on Bank Holidays and a few other weekends. Cakes, snacks and a bar are available for refreshments, or there is good pub food in nearby Great Bedwyn or Wilton.
Wilton Windmill
The only working windmill in Wessex. Take a tour up the steep, narrow stairs to the dome of the mill, and buy a bag of Wiltshire flour to take home. Light snacks available at the shop, while the Swan Inn in nearby Wilton has a full menu. An ideal cycle day-trip in conjunction with Crofton Beam Engines.
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Further afield:
Stonehenge
The best-known prehistoric monument in Europe, and one of the most visited sites in Britain. A must-do for all Neolithic fans, and the new visitor centre just west of Amesbury has all you need to visit the stones, learn about them, and buy the T-shirt The nearby sites of Woodhenge and Durrington Walls can also be found in Amesbury. Our advice: Not to be missed, and once you haven't missed it (along with 1.3 million others every year), jump back in the car and head off to Avebury!
Salisbury
Worth a full day of anyone's stay in Wiltshire, Salisbury offers the charms of a medieval city, with a great variety of shops and restaurants. Superb Saturday market. Overlooking the whole city, the 13th century Cathedral with its 123m high spire, is not to be missed. Apart from the magnificent interior, you can also see the best-preserved of the four surviving copies of the Magna Carta here. Those with a head for heights should also take the spire tour for £13.50... book ahead online. Take the Beehive Park and Ride on the road in from Amesbury, and look in on Old Sarum Castle while you're there.
Bath
Known for its Roman Baths, Georgian architecture and fine shopping, you could easily fill a couple of days in this beautiful city. Bath’s compact, visitor-friendly centre is overflowing with places to eat and drink, plus some of the finest independent shops in Britain, making it the ideal city break. Immerse yourself in Bath’s remarkable collection of museums and galleries, and enjoy year-round festivals, theatre, music and sports. Hop on to a train from Pewsey, change at Westbury, and you're there in an hour.
Swindon
Not everyone's idea of a holiday destination, but Swindon has all the practical stuff you need: big supermarkets, shopping complexes, and specialist dealers for those little bits for your caravan that you won't get in Halfords. And a big hospital, should you ever be unfortunate enough to need it.
Swindon is not just for the necessities in life - The MacArthur Glen Shopping Village is excellent, and the nearby STEAM museum give a fascinating insight into Swindon's Railway heritage. There are also two cinema complexes, an ice rink, and the Wyvern Theatre, pubs, clubs and restaurants to keep you entertained in all weathers, day or night.
Uffington
Wiltshire is famed for its White Horses, carved into the chalk hillsides, but if there's one that stands out, you need to head northwest into neighbouring Oxfordshire. The White Horse at Uffington is the oldest in Britain - around 3000 years old - and is well worth a visit. Not far away is Waylands Smithy, an ancient burial mound, which you can reach on foot (if you want a good walk!) or by car. This is a great place to spend a day, and you can recuperate at the other White Horse... a charming pub in nearby Woolstone, which we like for its great food.
Around Chippenham
No visit to North Wiltshire would be complete without taking in such gems as Lacock, with its Abbey (featured in the Harry Potter films), or picturesque Castle Combe, and you'll discover many other stunning villages while you're there. We could go on for ages...
