Wiltshire

Historic County in

England

Wiltshire

View along the edge of Bruce's Hangings Credit: David Martin

Wiltshire is a historic county located in southwestern England, bordering the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. It covers an area of approximately 3,485 square kilometers and is known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and numerous ancient monuments.

The county is predominantly rural, characterized by rolling hills, verdant valleys, and picturesque countryside. The iconic Salisbury Plain dominates the landscape, featuring vast open grassland and home to the historic Stonehenge monument. Wiltshire is also intersected by the River Avon and the Kennet and Avon Canal, adding to its natural beauty.

Wiltshire has a fascinating history dating back thousands of years. It was inhabited during the Neolithic period, as evident by the presence of Stonehenge and other ancient sites like Avebury Stone Circle and Silbury Hill. The county has also been shaped by the Romans, Saxons, and Normans, leaving behind a legacy of castles, manor houses, and medieval villages.

The county town of Wiltshire is Salisbury, renowned for its magnificent Salisbury Cathedral, which boasts the tallest spire in the United Kingdom. Other notable towns include Swindon, Trowbridge, Chippenham, and Devizes, each with its own unique charm and heritage.

Wiltshire is also famous for its military connections. It is home to the Salisbury Plain Military Training Area, where the British Army conducts training exercises. The county houses several military bases, including Boscombe Down and Lyneham.

With its stunning landscapes, ancient landmarks, and rich cultural heritage, Wiltshire offers visitors a unique blend of history and natural beauty, making it a captivating destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.

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Wiltshire Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.07997/-1.8637771 or Grid Reference SU0931. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View along the edge of Bruce's Hangings

David Martin

On Warren Down

David Martin

North Street, Wilton

The street is mainly residential at its northerly end. The cream house has a firemark on it. For a view of the mark SU0931 : Firemark, North Street

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Firemark, North Street

Firemarks originated around the late 17th century at which time insurance companies operated their own fire brigades to protect insured property. As many buildings did not have a formal address until the advent of the postal system, insurance companies identified insured properties by placing a mark on the outside wall of the buildings.

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Wilton Sure Start Children's Centre

The Sure Start Centre has taken over the building that was previously used by Threshers Wine Shop SU0931 : Off-licence, Wilton For information on Sure Start Link

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Bob Blandford Memorial Scout Hall

The home of the 1st Wilton Scout Group. The hall was opened in 2008 and replaced the old Wilton Scout Hut. The hall is a memorial to the late Bob Blandford MBE, a former Wilton Scout Group leader and Mayor of Wilton.

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Font, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

The font is of Italian marble and was a gift of Miss Tufnell, Governess to the Herbert family. The bowl dates from the 15th century and the base from the 17th century. The font is usually by the main door symbolising the entrance to the church by baptism.

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Hatchment, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

Hatchment is from the word 'achievement' in heraldry. The hatchment is for a member of the Pembroke family.

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Hatchment, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

Hatchment is from the word 'achievement' in heraldry. The hatchment is for a member of the Pembroke family. The motto UNG JE SERVIRAY is Old French and means 'One I will serve'.

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Hatchment, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

Hatchment is from the word 'achievement' in heraldry. The hatchment is for a member of the Pembroke family. The motto UNG JE SERVIRAY is Old French and means 'One I will serve'. The arms and title were given to the William Herbert, the 1st Earl of Pembroke, by King Henry VIII in 1542.

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Pulpit, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

The pulpit is of Caen stone on dark Spanish marble supports.

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Lectern, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

The lectern has an 18th century eagle standing on imitation lava. The eagle is a symbol of the resurrection or ascension of Christ due to the fact that it soars upwards. By extension, the eagle symbolises baptised Christians, who have symbolically died and risen with Christ.

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Interior, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

The chancel windows are filled with 12th and 13th century glass from many French churches e.g. Rouen Cathedral, Sainte Chapelle, St Germain des Pres, St Denis. The altar is of English oak and is a gift from the people of Wilton. The mosaic of Christ in Glory and flanked by St Mary and St Nicholas was executed in 1920 by Miss Gertrude Martin who also did the mosaics in Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral.

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Interior, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

In front of the chancel steps is a fine example of 'Opus Alexandrinum' which is a mosaic of relatively large pieces of marble and stone, cut to shape and arranged in a geometric pattern. It was made in Rome for the church and was laid by Italian craftsmen.

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Banner, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

This is the banner of the Wilton Branch of the Mothers Union. Mary Sumner (1828–1921) founded the Mothers Union as an organisation that would unite mothers of all social classes in mutual support and promote motherhood. In 1876, after the birth of her first grandchild Mary was inspired to bring together the mothers of the parish in mutual support and held the first meeting of what was to become the Mothers’ Union in the Old Alresford Rectory. Today the Union is a global movement with over 3.6 million members. Mary is buried with her husband in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral.

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Sidney Herbert, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

Sidney Herbert, friend of Florence Nightingale, was Secretary of State for War. He and Florence worked together tirelessly to transform the health and welfare of the British Army. The tomb was designed by T H Wyatt and carved by J B Phillip.

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Katharine Woronzow, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

Katharine (or Catharine) was the Russian-born Dowager Countess of Pembroke and mother of Sidney Herbert. Her Russian name of Ekaterina Semenovna Vorontsova. She was born on 24 Oct 1783 and died on 27 Mar 1856. She married George Herbert in an Orthodox church in London on 25 Jan 1808. Sidney, Lord Herbert of Lea, was their son. SU0931 : Sidney Herbert, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas She was known as Katti or Kat by her family. The tomb was designed by T H Wyatt and carved by J B Phillip.

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Interior, Church of St Mary and St Nicholas

The altar is of English oak and is a gift from the people of Wilton. The mosaic of Christ in Glory and flanked by St Mary and St Nicholas was executed in 1920 by Miss Gertrude Martin who also did the mosaics in Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral. The carpet was made in the Wilton Royal Carpet Factory.

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Wiltshire is located at Grid Ref: SU0931 (Lat: 51.07997, Lng: -1.8637771)