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England’s most idyllic slice of residential countryside is the Cotswolds AONB. Hire a campervan for a road trip along the winding country lanes, stopping to explore the pretty stone villages, walk or cycle through rolling farmlands, or spot celebrity residents in villages like Castle Combe, Broadway, and Bourton on the Water. The Cotswolds adds a touch of glamor to camping, too—there are some great glamping options, and you’re never far from a gastro-pub.
An hour’s drive south of Swindon, the enigmatic ruins of Stonehenge lie high on the Salisbury Plains. Visit the UNESCO site at sunrise or sunset for the most dramatic views, take a hike through the hills, then head to nearby Salisbury to admire the mediaeval cathedral. To the south, quiet hiking trails and backcountry campsites await in the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs AONB.
If you’re visiting in peak season between July and August, Swindon makes a smart choice to dodge the crowds, and there’s also a busy calendar of summer events and festivals. Wiltshire weather is best from May through September—plan a hiking trip in late spring to see the countryside blossoming with wildflowers, or in fall for autumnal walks through the Cotswolds.