Wiltshire
Geography
Wiltshire is a county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The county town was originally Wilton, after which the county is named, but Wiltshire Council is now based in the county town of Trowbridge.
Wiltshire is characterised by its high downland and wide valleys. Salisbury Plain is noted for being the location of the Stonehenge and Avebury stone circles and other ancient landmarks, and as a training area for the British Army. The city of Salisbury is notable for its medieval cathedral. Important country houses open to the public include Longleat, near Warminster, and the National Trust's Stourhead, near Mere.
History
The history of Wiltshire is characterised by its standing within the wider historical landscape of Britain. Its prehistoric sites and monuments, from Stonehenge and Avebury to the numerous hillforts that dot the landscape, provide a rich tapestry of human activity stretching back thousands of years. The Romans, Saxons, Normans, and later historical periods also left their mark on Wiltshire's landscape, with Roman roads, Saxon church sites, Norman castles and medieval villages scattered across the county.
Economy
Wiltshire's economy is diverse, with a strong emphasis on the service sector, but also significant contributions from manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. The county's largest employer is the Ministry of Defence, with significant bases at Boscombe Down, Bulford, Tidworth and Warminster. Other major employers include the Swindon-based car manufacturer Honda, pharmaceutical company Catalent Pharma Solutions in Chippenham, and Nationwide Building Society, also based in Swindon.
Culture
Wiltshire is rich in folk tradition, with numerous customs and festivals that have their roots in the county's rural past. These include the annual Pewsey Carnival and the Chippenham Folk Festival, as well as the famous Royal Wootton Bassett repatriations. The county is also home to a number of notable cultural institutions, such as the Salisbury Playhouse, the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, and the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon.
Education
Education in Wiltshire is provided by a mixture of state, independent and special schools. The county has a comprehensive system, with no selective grammar schools. There are 98 state secondary schools, not including sixth form colleges, and 23 independent schools, including Marlborough College, St Mary's Calne, and Dauntsey's School.
Transport
Wiltshire has a comprehensive transport network, with road and rail links to the rest of the country. The M4 motorway runs east-west through the north of the county, providing connections to London, Bristol and South Wales. The A303 runs east-west through the south of the county, providing a major route to the West Country. The county is served by a number of railway lines, including the Great Western Main Line, the Wessex Main Line, and the West of England Main Line.