BENEATH THE chalk downland, with its abundant flora and fauna, you’ll find Warminster, which lies on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
BENEATH THE chalk downland, with its abundant flora and fauna, you’ll find Warminster, which lies on the edge of the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town got its name – Worgemynstre – in the year 912 from the Minster Church of St Denys, which was built in Saxon times within a loop of the River Were. There is evidence of earlier settlements in the seven hills that surround the town, three of which are Iron Age hill forts, the most notable being Cley Hill to the west of Warminster. Once part of the Longleat estate, it was entrusted to the National Trust by the sixth Marquess of Bath.
The town has many historic attractions including Warminster Maltings, Britain’s oldest working maltings, and Dents glove factory. Founded in 1777 Dents has been supplying gloves for royalty since the reign of George III, including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation gloves. Visits by groups to the Dents museum can be made by
private arrangement.
The town park with its tranquil lake is the jewel in Warminster’s crown. The children’s paddling pool is a huge attraction in the summer months and a skatepark, tennis courts and putting green are available all year round.