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Wiltshire
Stonehenge & Moonrakers
The county name Wiltshire is derived from the town of Wilton which was written as Wiltunscir, or Wiltonshire, it became famous for its wool and the towns such as Wilton grew as centres for this industry.
Wiltshire is famous for the mysterious monument of Stonehenge, which is set on Salisbury plain and is only one of many ancient sites that litter the area, Stonehenge, Avebury and Silbury are perhaps the most famous Neolithic sites in the UK.
Salisbury has a magnificent Cathedral with one of the tallest spires in Europe, Longleat house is in Wiltshire and its house and park complete with lion’s attract many visitors each year.
Wiltshire people are known as Moonrakers this comes from a famous tale of smugglers hiding their contraband in a village pond who were surprised by excise men. The smugglers began raking the pond, which was reflecting the full moon claiming they were raking in a large cheese.
The Excise men reputedly left declaring them simple or mad yokels, several villages claim the tale for their own village pond, but the story is most commonly linked with The Crammer in Devizes.
Wiltshire is the home to several white horses these are etched on the chalky hills, of the 13 original there are now 8 Westbury is the oldest example.
Wiltshire is a county of high chalk downs and low pastures, farming is still widespread, the county has military associations with places like Warminster Salisbury plain and Bulford. Swindon was once a major railway centre producing manty locomotives the GWR was based here. Previous to the railways the Kennet and Avon canal transported goods through the county.
Sir Christopher wren hails from the county as well as Desmond Morris the zoologist and anthropologist, the county town is Trowbridge. Lacock abbey was the birthplace of photography Fox Talbot produced the first photograph in 1835.
Towns in Wiltshire
| Malmesbury | Salisbury | Lacock |
| Avebury | Bradford on Avon | Westbury |
| Castle Coombe |
Activities in Wiltshire
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