Warminster

Warminster is a delightful market town with a friendly population of around 18,000 (2011). The town has many interesting buildings, nearly all of which owe their existence to Warminster's great fame as a successful corn market for several centuries. It has for many years been a holiday haunt, providing visitors and tourists with beautiful countryside, ancient archaeological monuments, excellent recreational activities including walking and cycling and horse riding, plus shopping and plenty of enjoyable attractions large and small.

Understand
The corn market ceased more than a hundred years ago and Warminster is now largely a residential town, with some light industry and military presence.

It is on the edge of Salisbury Plain and at the head of the picturesque Wylye Valley, between the historic cities of Bath (16 miles/26 km away) and Salisbury (20 miles/32 km away). Longleat House and Safari Park, and the Center Parcs resort of Longleat Forest are on its doorstep.

Warminster can be used as a base for visiting around 100 nearby places of interest, including Stonehenge, Avebury, Salisbury Cathedral, Bath Theatre Royal, the Science Museum at Wroughton. Warminster is surrounded by open countryside. Cley Hill, Arn Hill, Battlesbury and Scratchbury Hills, in the immediate vicinity, boast Iron Age hill forts; Copheap Hill and Middle feature burial mounds and strip lynchets.

By car
Warminster sits at the former crossing of the A36 (Bristol to Southampton) and the A350 (Chippenham to Poole) trunk roads. The A362 (from Midsomer Norton and Frome in Somerset) enters the town from the west, while the B390 (Shrewton to Heytesbury) and B3095 (Longbridge Deverill to Gillingham) roads are east and south of the town respectively. The A303 from Exeter to London (M3) also skirts the area south and east of Warminster. The opening of the Warminster Bypass (1988) has diverted much of the through traffic, particularly the stone lorries from the Mendip quarries. The former A36 through Warminster has been declassified and is now the B3414.

Warminster is 10 miles north-west of the A303 junction with the A36 at the Deptford Interchange. The A303 makes a seamless link to the M3 motorway west of Basingstoke. The M4 motorway, connecting London with South Wales, is approximately north of Warminster via the A350, intersecting at junction 17. The M5 motorway crosses the M4 at the Almondsbury Interchange, north of Bristol. The M5 northbound can also be reached via the A350, A429, Cirencester and the A417 joining at junction 11A.

By bus
Buses and express coaches: scheduled service buses operate between Bath, Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury and Warminster provided by First Bus route numbers 264 and 265, running twice hourly from Monday to Saturday with a reduced frequency on Sunday. A bus service between Warminster and Salisbury is provided by Bodman’s route 24 and operates hourly from Monday to Saturday. The town enjoys regular local bus services between Monday and Saturday around the town connecting the residential estates and the garrison with the Market Place and local shops and supermarkets. There is also a regular service, no. 53, to Frome. Bus routes also operate between Warminster and several of the surrounding villages. Bus services generally cease operation in the early evening.

National Express service 300, operating between Portsmouth and Bristol, calls in Warminster daily at around 11:15AM northbound and 4:15PM southbound.

Express coaches to and from London (Hammersmith bus station) are provided by Berrys Superfast, on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, departing at 9:30AM weekdays and 1:30PM on Sunday, with return services from London at 5:45PM weekdays and 7PM on Sundays

The majority of buses and both express coach services use the bus stops in Market Place.

By cycle
Information from Sustrans.

By train


There are also a few direct trains to Brighton, Worcester and Cheltenham also operated by First Great Western. South West Trains provide three daily services in each direction to and from Warminster and London Waterloo. The main London Paddington to the West of England line is accessible at Westbury, approximately four miles to the north of Warminster, where fast trains to Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance to the west and Reading and London Paddington to the east are available, with some trains from Warminster making connections. Trains to and from Frome, Castle Cary, Yeovil, Dorchester and Weymouth are also available at Westbury.

Bus services 264 and 265 calls at a bus stop close to Westbury railway station.

Bus and train timetables can be obtained from Warminster Railway Station, the Warminster Information Centre in the Central Car Park and from the bus and train operators’ websites. The Wiltshire Council website also provides comprehensive timetable information on local bus routes.


 * National Rail Enquiries,.
 * South West Trains,.

By plane
Airports close to Warminster are Bristol, distant, Southampton  (Eastleigh),  and Bournemouth ,. Bristol has scheduled flights from many European and UK destinations as does Southampton. Bournemouth has a more limited range, dealing mainly with charters. Bristol can be reached by public transport using First Great Western Trains services to Bristol Temple Meads station from where a coach shuttle to the airport operates. Southampton Airport has an integral railway station and can be reached by train using First Great Western Trains to either Salisbury or Southampton with connecting services to the airport being operated by South West Trains.

The major international airports at London Heathrow and London Gatwick  can also be reached by train: Heathrow from either Reading (via Westbury) or Woking (via Salisbury) railway stations, from where coach shuttles operate to the airport. Gatwick has an integral railway station, which can be reached via Salisbury and Clapham Junction.

Local taxi operators provide services to all airports, subject to prebooking.

By boat
The nearest cross-channel ports are Portsmouth and Poole. Brittany Ferries provide vehicle and foot passenger services to and from northern Spain, the Normandy ports of Caen and Cherbourg, and St. Malo in Brittany from Portsmouth with a summer only service from Poole to and from Cherbourg.

LD Lines operate from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Condor Ferries provide services normally from Poole to the Channel Islands and St Malo.

Local taxi operators provide services to all seaports, subject to prebooking.

Car parks
Warminster Town Centre is served by two car parks. The Central Car Park (accessed by vehicles from Station Road) serves the Market Place and Three Horseshoes Walk. The Western Car Park (accessed by vehicles from Sambourne Road) serves High Street. Both the Central Car Park and the Western Car are pay and display. A very small car park is at the eastern end of Fairfield Road and is pay-and-display. There is a small car park at Emwell Street, also pay-and-display. There is very limited, free on-street parking in the heart of the town: at George Street (both sides of the road); at Silver Street (one side). There are a few spaces at the lower end of Sambourne Road (one side), and at the northern end of Weymouth Street (both sides). There are four car parking spaces at the High Street end of The Close (one side).

Petrol stations

 * Longbridge Deverill Petrol Station, Longbridge Deverill, . BP fuel. Forecourt shop. Liquid Gas. Post Office.
 * Morrisons Petrol Station, Weymouth Street, . Fuel. Liquid gas. Forecourt shop.
 * New Road Service Station, Codford. . Fuel. Liquid gas. Budgens Shop. Post Office.
 * Warminster East Service Station, East Street, . Esso fuel. Car wash. Forecourt shop. Coffee machine. Coal. Firewood. Opening hours 6:30AM-10PM (weekdays) 7AM-10PM (weekends).

Taxi rank
Situated at the northern end of Station Road.

Taxis and private hire

 * Ace Taxis, or  (UK only), four- and six-seater taxis available, comfortable and clean, taxi and courier, airport and seaport transfers, special return rates, female driver available, old age pensioner discounts, Royal United Hospital Bath and Salisbury Hospital runs, accounts welcome.
 * DJ's Taxis, The Old Parcel Office, Station Road, BA12 9BR. . Free phone booking service 0800 9702159. Su-Th 6AM to midnight. F-Sa 6AM to late. Local and long distance journeys. Airport, seaport transfers, wedding parties, school runs and night clubs. Prices vary on Sundays.
 * Prestige Private Hire, 19 Norridge View, BA12 8TA., mobile , or freephone . Reliable and comfortable. 4-, 6- and 8-seater vehicles available. All drivers Criminals Record Bureau checked. Driver dress code. On board movies. Climate control. No smoking policy and no eating policy. Business accounts welcome. All major credit cards accepted.
 * Starline and Wessex Taxis, 38a Market Place, . Long established taxi service.

Coaches and minibuses

 * A. and G. Minibuses , Paddock Wood, Bradley Road, BA12 7JY. . 4-, 6-, 8- and 16-seater vehicles. Self-drive hire also available.
 * Beeline, Bishopstrow Road, BA12 9HQ..
 * National Express..
 * New Road Service Station, New Road, Codford, . Executive fleet of 16- to 49-seater vehicles available.
 * Tisbus, Tisbury..
 * Wilts and Dorset Bus enquiries,.

Bicycles


There are bicycle racks on the pavements in the Market Place and the High Street, and outside the Public Library at Three Horseshoes Walk.

Landmarks

 * The Obelisk. A triangular monument of Bath stone, at the junction of Silver Street, Vicarage Street, and Church Street. It was erected in 1873 to commemorate the enclosure of the parish. It stands on the site of the former Emwell Cross Barn. A fountain (now disused), made of gun metal, in the shape of a lion's head, is featured on the east side of this unusual column. Former cattle and horse troughs around the base are now planted with colourful flowers. The Obelisk is flood-lit at night.
 * The Town Hall. Designed in the Jacobean style by Edward Blore, at the expense of the Marquess of Bath, and built 1830 to 1832. Donated to the town by Longleat in 1904. Once housed the law courts, with cells below, and a ballroom and function room. Sold to a private buyer in the 1970s. It was used a solicitor's offices, with a restaurant in the basement, and then a market. It was restored in 2016. Not open to the public.
 * War Memorial. At the junction of the Avenue and Portway stands the town's War Memorial, a tall Iona type cross of Box-ground Bath stone, standing 21 feet high and incorporating interwoven rope work and Egyptian art. The names of 115 men who gave up all in the First World War are commemorated. It was designed by Warminster stonemason Egerton Strong whose ancestors had worked with Sir Christopher Wren on the rebuilding of St. Paul's Cathedral after the Great Fire of London. The Warminster War Memorial site was donated by the 5th Marquess of Bath and 2,000 people attended the unveiling of the monument on 29th May 1921. The monument was re-dedicated on 6th November 1949 when the names of 52 townsmen who had paid the supreme sacrifice during the Second World War were added.

Country houses
There are many country houses surrounding Warminster, but only Longleat House and Stourhead are notable and open to the public.



Other

 * Alfred's Tower, near Stourton, south west of Warminster. +44 1985 844785. Built in 1772 on the site where King Alfred the Great is said to have gathered his army prior to defeating the invading Danes in 878 AD.
 * Anzac War Graves. At Baverstock, Codford and Sutton Veny.
 * Australian Anzac Rising Sun Badge, chalk carving in hillside slope at Lamb Down, Codford. Visible from A36 road.
 * Beyond Harvest. In the Cornmarket shopping precinct is a bronze statue of a girl sat high on a stack of grain sacks, gazing dreamily towards Copheap, a beech clad hill to the north of the town. It is the work of the renowned sculptor Colin Lambert and was inspired by a conversation Colin had with local historian Danny Howell about Warminster's role as a great corn market for several centuries and the wealth of archaeological remains locally which include Iron Age hill forts (Cley Hill, Arn Hill, Battlesbury and Scratchbury) and Bronze Age remains such as the burial mound on Copheap.
 * Copheap. Copheap, the hill closest to Warminster, just north of the town, was purchased by the Warminster Urban District Council and soon afterwards it was agreed at a public meeting in 1947 that it should become a war memorial for the town. The purchase price was met by public subscription. Members of the R.A. and Old Comrades associations constructed the Path of Remembrance from Copheap Lane to the base of the hill, with regimental badges being incorporated into the walls at the lower end of the path. A lych gate at the entrance to Copheap is inscribed: "As an everlasting tribute of pride and gratitude to the sons of Warminster who gave their lives in the great World Wars this archway was constructed and Copheap preserved for the perpetual use and enjoyment of all."
 * Heaven's Gate. Overlooking Longleat Park is Heaven's Gate which can be approached on foot along a grassy pathway between pine trees, rhododendrons and azaleas. It was here that Bishop Ken, while a guest at Longleat House (1689 to his death in 1711), wrote his famous hymn Morning.

Do

 * Arn Hill Nature Trail. Arn Hill rises to over above sea level and its beech woodland was donated to the town by the Marquess of Bath in 1920. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have established a Nature Trail around Arn Hill which passes a former lime kiln (now in ruins) and rises above the old-fashioned sheep walks of Kidnapper's Hole (a former chalk quarry which supplied the lime kiln). This two-mile circular footpath allows the enjoyment of the chalkland flora and its fauna. In the summer there are Fritillary and Small Blue butterflies to be seen as well as Burnet moths. The birds include skylarks, meadow pipits, tree-creepers and chiffchaffs. From the woods (which feature beech and some yews, holly and wayfaring trees) the path joins the open Plain area around the West Wilts Golf Course, where views look north and east over the vast expanse of Salisbury Plain, southeast to the Great Ridge Woods, south towards neighbouring Dorset, and west into the wetlands of Somerset. A wooden seat on the part of the down overlooking New Farm and Norridge Wood is a good vantage point for seeing the distant landmarks of Alfred's Tower near Stourhead, and the Mendip television transmitter near Wells on Mendip. Access to Arn Hill can be gained from paths off the Westbury Road or from Elm Hill where there is some car parking space. Admission to Arn Hill is free.
 * Bird Watching. The keen ornithologist will not be disappointed with the feathered friends to be seen in the gardens, lanes, fields, woods and hills in and around Warminster. Yellow Hammers, Spotted and Green Woodpeckers, Ravens, Little Egrets, Herons, Barn Owls, Tawny Owls, and Buzzards are common, and if you're lucky you might spot a Red Kite.
 * Christmas Lights. Late Nov to early Jan the main streets of Warminster are illuminated by vivid colour by the annual Christmas Lights display. It is considered to be the best of its kind for miles around, surpassing neighbouring towns and cities. Strings of bulbs and decorations above East Street, Market Place, High Street, George Street and Silver Street are complemented by hundreds of illuminated Christmas trees above nearly every shop front. These are put up (and taken down) by a dedicated team of volunteers. The cost of the trees is met by shopkeepers and business people. A Christmas Market is held in the Civic Centre in late Nov with stalls, children's roundabouts, hot food and mulled wine, Santa's grotto, and a stage where local bands and choirs performed for the public. In the evenings in December, members of Warminster Lions Club, tour the town's residential streets with Father Christmas in a motorised "sleigh", handing out sweets to children and playing recorded festive music and carols, at the same time as Santa's helpers go door-to-door collecting small donations of money for local charities.
 * Cycling. The Warminster vicinity provides excellent cycling opportunities for individuals, families or groups, along byways and other routes and through terrain as diverse as the Great Ridge Woods or Salisbury Plain. The latter is the chosen course for a challenge competition held at New Year, its route includes the roads in the northern part of Warminster parish. Many locals and visitors turn out to watch and cheer on the mountain bikers and other entrants. For those who prefer a less energetic ride the Wiltshire Cycleway features six circular routes. The Wylye Valley route, from Salisbury to Horningsham (on to Mere) is 41 miles and is indicated by blue background signs with white lettering and a bicycle motif. Welcoming pubs and village shops can be found along the way, and the routes link up with off-roading tracks and national byways. The Warminster Cycling Group run an annual event in the summer, often during National Bike Week, called The Warminster Wobble, which encourages everyone from toddlers upwards to get on their bikes. The Endura Trek Cyclosportive, based around the Longleat Estate, offering a 100-mile challenge (160-km), has now become, it seems, an annual event in the local calendar, each March.
 * Dewey Museum, Three Horseshoes Walk, BA12 9BT, . Free admission.
 * Fireworks. On the Friday or Saturday evening closest to 5th November (Guy Fawkes Night) adults and children gather at Gale's Field, between Elm Hill and Imber Road, to see a large bonfire and enjoy a spectacular fireworks display organised by the local garrison and Warminster Lions Club. The evening also features a mini-fun fair, stalls selling drinks and hot food, and usually musical entertainment by a local radio station. Tickets go on sale during the fortnight before the event and are also on sale at the gate on the night.
 * Fishing. The River Wylye, to the south and east of Warminster, is one of the finest chalk streams in Wiltshire, and offers good trout fishing (remember to get your licence). The Warminster and District Angling Club. Founded in 1961 and has over 400 members. Uses Crockerton Lake, Hinton Lakes, Berkley Lake and the River Frome, as well as the waters of neighbouring clubs.
 * Horse Racing. Bath Racecourse, Lansdown, BA1 9BU. . Salisbury Racecourse, Netherhampton, SP2 8PN. . Wincanton Racecourse, Wincanton, BA9 8BJ..
 * Horse Riding. For the horse rider there are several stables in the Warminster area offering liveries and pony trekking. Point-to-Point is popular too. Longhorn Western Riding. at Longhedge Farm, Corsley,, provides trekking in the Longleat area. Warminster Saddle Club. at Oxendean, , not only gives riding tuition but also holds competitions and events including jumping, holiday courses, camps and facility hire. The Puddy family at the White Horse Trekking Centre. at Codford, , offers half day and whole day treks, riding holidays, riding lessons, own-a-pony days, family rides and carriage driving lessons, for all abilities.
 * Lake Pleasure Grounds. In the heart of Warminster and only a few steps from the Market Place is the Lake Pleasure Grounds (known locally as the Town Park). It was established in 1924 (on the site of what had been the town's rubbish dump) and has always been one of the finest parks in Wiltshire; it is very popular with residents and visitors alike. The Were stream, which partly gives Warminster its name, flows through the Town Park. The main entrance is from Weymouth Street but access can also be gained from all sides including the Ridgeway Slope which was landscaped in 1977 and won an award from the Council for the Protection of Rural England. The Lake Pleasure Grounds feature tennis courts, a refreshments kiosk, and a bandstand where, during the summer months, visiting brass and other bands give free concerts on some Sunday afternoons. Also here is the Warminster Park Community Centre, used by many community groups including the Warminster Camera Club and the Wednesday Evening Bingo players. The boating lake has two islands giving a haven to ducks, swans and herons, who seem to ignore the human users of the pedaloes on the lake. The boathouse includes unisex toilets. There are three play areas in the Park: the King George V Playing Field has slides, swings, roundabouts, climbing frames, rocking horses and a paddling pool. Next to it is the Adventure Playground for the more energetic. The Skate Park is complete with half-pipes for use by skate-boarders, roller-skaters and BMX bikers. For those who want to take life at an easier pace there are seats situated alongside the path which circles the lake. The Morgan Memorial Fountain (now out of use), which stood in the busy Market Place until 1937 is now at the western end of the Lake Pleasure Grounds. It is adjacent the Civic Trust Garden. The Lake Pleasure Grounds are watched by CCTV, making this a safe place, particularly for families, and all is enhanced by the flower beds which provide colour all year round. Free admission.
 * Noggin, Nosh and Natter. Organised in conjunction with the Commercial Transport In Preservation group. On the last Wednesday evening of every July. An informal gathering of old, vintage, classic, and interesting vehicles, including cars, vans, buses, lorries, military vehicles, and motorcycles. With barbecue and some trade stalls. In the car park and adjoining fields of The George Inn, Longbridge Deverill, on the A350, approx two miles south of Warminster. Free admission.
 * Playgrounds. There are children's playgrounds, fenced off and gated, with play equipment, at The Dene, Fore Street, Goodwin Close, Grovelands Way, Haygrove Close, The Heathlands, Portway Lane, Pound Street, Princess Gardens, and Queensway.
 * Playing Fields. The Frank Moody Playing Field at Fore Street is much used for football and other games. St. George's Field, on the corner of Boreham Road and Woodcock Road, is another grassed open space, used for football, rugby and sports. Open space with football goal posts is adjacent The Heathlands at Bradley Road. There is a small grassed area adjacent the River Wylye, at the site of the former Smallbrook Mill, below Willow Crescent. Portway Lane Playing Field is another large grass area reserved for recreation and it also serves as the location for Jennings Fun Fair when it comes to Warminster every April. The National Trust field, known as Boreham Field, on the south side of Boreham Road is another popular open space for recreation.
 * Sailing. For those who like messing about in boats, Shearwater, a large man-made lake on the Longleat Estate, near Crockerton, is the venue for dinghy sailing by members of the Shearwater Sailing Club. A clubhouse and mooring area is to the north east of the lake. Regattas provide not only a colourful spectacle but also an exhilerating thrill.
 * Skywatching (UFOs). Strange noises heard over Warminster on Christmas Day 1964, started the 'Warminster Thing' phenomenon, with mass hysteria when people began seeing unidentified objects in the sky over the town, an invitation for the press and television to come and report on a regular basis. Cradle Hill, one mile north of Warminster, and Middle Hill (renamed Star Hill by UFO spotters) became gathering places for "sky watchers" for several years. Local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood wrote many books about flying saucers over Warminster and aliens who came calling on him. Ken Rogers, who formerly worked for the Daily Express, came to live in Warminster and also wrote a book about Warminster UFOs ('The Warminster Triangle'). The town has hosted exhibitions and conferences on the subject which continues to perplex the local community. The singer Robbie Williams visited Cradle Hill, looking for UFOs.
 * Walking and Rambling. Good walking has been enjoyed in and around Warminster for many years. There are hundreds of footpaths and nearly all are well signposted and adequately provided with stiles. Most landowners in the area are walker-friendly and there is a good choice of routes ranging from short town perambulations to long distance walks such as the Wessex Ridgeway. The Imber Range Perimeter Path which skirts around the military training area of Salisbury Plain is clearly defined with waymarkers and is a circular walk of that can be joined or left at many places. For those who want to walk as part of a group there are organisations such as the West Wilts Ramblers who arrange walks from advertised starting points on a regular basis.
 * Warminster Carnival. Warminster has been holding regular carnivals since 1896. Now an annual highlight in the town's calendar, the carnival is held on the last Saturday evening in October, a date specially chosen to attract some of the big illuminated floats from the world-famous carnival circuit in the neighbouring county of Somerset. Most of those taking part, though, are local entries comprising the carnival royalty, marching bands, motorised floats, majorettes and walking masqueraders. It is run entirely by a small but very dedicated group of volunteers who spend all year fund-raising to put the show on the road. Warminster Carnival brings out a huge crowd of spectators who line the town's main streets (Boreham Road, East Street, Market Place, High Street, George Street and Silver Street), making it the biggest-attended spectacle in the life of the town. Solicitations of small change from the crowds are counted up afterwards and donated to local charities. The carnival entries are judged en route and the best are awarded cups and prizes. Spectators can also vote for their favourite entry which is awarded the Danny Howell Spectators' Shield. The week preceding the carnival features several events (Fire Station Open Night, Bingo, Quiz Night, Spot the Mistake in the Shop Window Competition, Treasure Trail, etc.) promoting and helping to fund the grand parade. Jennings Fun Fair also visits the town during this time, occupying the Central Car Park. Details from Sandra Major,.
 * Warminster Festival. Held bi-annually, bringing together various artists and performers from all sections of the arts: readings, poetry workshops, story telling, music groups including classical and pop, arts and crafts and photography exhibitions, guided walks and garden trails.
 * Warminster in Bloom. The main streets of Warminster are a blaze of colour in the summer months with spectacular displays of hanging baskets, tubs and planters. The Warminster in Bloom competition is judged by local dignatories and nurserymen, and at a special ceremony prizes are awarded for the best displays of premises by shopkeepers, traders, pub landlords, and for the gardens of the residents.
 * Playgrounds. There are children's playgrounds, fenced off and gated, with play equipment, at The Dene, Fore Street, Goodwin Close, Grovelands Way, Haygrove Close, The Heathlands, Portway Lane, Pound Street, Princess Gardens, and Queensway.
 * Playing Fields. The Frank Moody Playing Field at Fore Street is much used for football and other games. St. George's Field, on the corner of Boreham Road and Woodcock Road, is another grassed open space, used for football, rugby and sports. Open space with football goal posts is adjacent The Heathlands at Bradley Road. There is a small grassed area adjacent the River Wylye, at the site of the former Smallbrook Mill, below Willow Crescent. Portway Lane Playing Field is another large grass area reserved for recreation and it also serves as the location for Jennings Fun Fair when it comes to Warminster every April. The National Trust field, known as Boreham Field, on the south side of Boreham Road is another popular open space for recreation.
 * Sailing. For those who like messing about in boats, Shearwater, a large man-made lake on the Longleat Estate, near Crockerton, is the venue for dinghy sailing by members of the Shearwater Sailing Club. A clubhouse and mooring area is to the north east of the lake. Regattas provide not only a colourful spectacle but also an exhilerating thrill.
 * Skywatching (UFOs). Strange noises heard over Warminster on Christmas Day 1964, started the 'Warminster Thing' phenomenon, with mass hysteria when people began seeing unidentified objects in the sky over the town, an invitation for the press and television to come and report on a regular basis. Cradle Hill, one mile north of Warminster, and Middle Hill (renamed Star Hill by UFO spotters) became gathering places for "sky watchers" for several years. Local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood wrote many books about flying saucers over Warminster and aliens who came calling on him. Ken Rogers, who formerly worked for the Daily Express, came to live in Warminster and also wrote a book about Warminster UFOs ('The Warminster Triangle'). The town has hosted exhibitions and conferences on the subject which continues to perplex the local community. The singer Robbie Williams visited Cradle Hill, looking for UFOs.
 * Walking and Rambling. Good walking has been enjoyed in and around Warminster for many years. There are hundreds of footpaths and nearly all are well signposted and adequately provided with stiles. Most landowners in the area are walker-friendly and there is a good choice of routes ranging from short town perambulations to long distance walks such as the Wessex Ridgeway. The Imber Range Perimeter Path which skirts around the military training area of Salisbury Plain is clearly defined with waymarkers and is a circular walk of that can be joined or left at many places. For those who want to walk as part of a group there are organisations such as the West Wilts Ramblers who arrange walks from advertised starting points on a regular basis.
 * Warminster Carnival. Warminster has been holding regular carnivals since 1896. Now an annual highlight in the town's calendar, the carnival is held on the last Saturday evening in October, a date specially chosen to attract some of the big illuminated floats from the world-famous carnival circuit in the neighbouring county of Somerset. Most of those taking part, though, are local entries comprising the carnival royalty, marching bands, motorised floats, majorettes and walking masqueraders. It is run entirely by a small but very dedicated group of volunteers who spend all year fund-raising to put the show on the road. Warminster Carnival brings out a huge crowd of spectators who line the town's main streets (Boreham Road, East Street, Market Place, High Street, George Street and Silver Street), making it the biggest-attended spectacle in the life of the town. Solicitations of small change from the crowds are counted up afterwards and donated to local charities. The carnival entries are judged en route and the best are awarded cups and prizes. Spectators can also vote for their favourite entry which is awarded the Danny Howell Spectators' Shield. The week preceding the carnival features several events (Fire Station Open Night, Bingo, Quiz Night, Spot the Mistake in the Shop Window Competition, Treasure Trail, etc.) promoting and helping to fund the grand parade. Jennings Fun Fair also visits the town during this time, occupying the Central Car Park. Details from Sandra Major,.
 * Warminster Festival. Held bi-annually, bringing together various artists and performers from all sections of the arts: readings, poetry workshops, story telling, music groups including classical and pop, arts and crafts and photography exhibitions, guided walks and garden trails.
 * Warminster in Bloom. The main streets of Warminster are a blaze of colour in the summer months with spectacular displays of hanging baskets, tubs and planters. The Warminster in Bloom competition is judged by local dignatories and nurserymen, and at a special ceremony prizes are awarded for the best displays of premises by shopkeepers, traders, pub landlords, and for the gardens of the residents.
 * Warminster Festival. Held bi-annually, bringing together various artists and performers from all sections of the arts: readings, poetry workshops, story telling, music groups including classical and pop, arts and crafts and photography exhibitions, guided walks and garden trails.
 * Warminster in Bloom. The main streets of Warminster are a blaze of colour in the summer months with spectacular displays of hanging baskets, tubs and planters. The Warminster in Bloom competition is judged by local dignatories and nurserymen, and at a special ceremony prizes are awarded for the best displays of premises by shopkeepers, traders, pub landlords, and for the gardens of the residents.


 * Westbury White Horse, Bratton. Hill carving in chalk. Adjacent Bratton Camp Iron Age hill fort. Public open space. Ethandune memorial stone.
 * The Woolstore Theatre. Codford, five miles east of Warminster, is the only village in England to have its own theatre. It is named the Woolstore Country Theatre, after the building's former use as a collection and sorting depot for fleeces. Drama, pantomimes, films and children's activities are all well-supported.
 * Westbury White Horse, Bratton. Hill carving in chalk. Adjacent Bratton Camp Iron Age hill fort. Public open space. Ethandune memorial stone.
 * The Woolstore Theatre. Codford, five miles east of Warminster, is the only village in England to have its own theatre. It is named the Woolstore Country Theatre, after the building's former use as a collection and sorting depot for fleeces. Drama, pantomimes, films and children's activities are all well-supported.
 * The Woolstore Theatre. Codford, five miles east of Warminster, is the only village in England to have its own theatre. It is named the Woolstore Country Theatre, after the building's former use as a collection and sorting depot for fleeces. Drama, pantomimes, films and children's activities are all well-supported.

Buy
Warminster has a busy high street lined with a mixture of national chain stores, and local businesses. It also has two pedestrianised shopping malls (Three Horseshoes Walk, and The Cornmarket. Small specialist shops and businesses are situate at Chinn's Court. For national names go to the Castlemore Retail Park at Fairfield Road.


 * Country Market (formerly the Women's Institute Market). Friday mornings in Warminster Library Meeting Room. Local produce, cakes, preserves, garden plants, and crafts.
 * Farmers Market. Outside Warminster Library, Three Horseshoes Walk. Local produce.
 * Friday Market. In the Central Car Park on Friday mornings. Local produce, flowers, plant stall, butcher, pet foods.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Farmers Market. Outside Warminster Library, Three Horseshoes Walk. Local produce.
 * Friday Market. In the Central Car Park on Friday mornings. Local produce, flowers, plant stall, butcher, pet foods.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.
 * Wylye Valley Vineyard and Farm Shop, Sutton End, Crockerton, +44 1985 211337. Vineyard, producing and selling wine. Wine tastings. Farm shop stocking local produce. Cheese, Beer, Cider, Smoked produce, Olives, Vegetables, Gourmet ice cream, preserves, fruit juices and everyday essentials.

Eat
Warminster has many restaurants, cafes, takeaways, tearooms and coffee shops, offering something for all tastes. Many local pubs also provide dinners, lunches and bar snacks.


 * Bishopstrow Hotel has afternoon teas and upscale dining, see Sleep.
 * Bishopstrow Hotel has afternoon teas and upscale dining, see Sleep.
 * Bishopstrow Hotel has afternoon teas and upscale dining, see Sleep.
 * Bishopstrow Hotel has afternoon teas and upscale dining, see Sleep.

Go next

 * Avebury
 * Bath
 * Salisbury
 * Stonehenge – one of the great wonders of the world and within easy travelling distance of Warminster
 * Wroughton – village, known for its science museum