Calne is a historic town in Wiltshire County, at the southwestern side of England. It sits on the border of the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a perfect example of the timeless beauty of Wiltshire. Close by is Avebury, a UNESCO World Heritage site which is another section of the area's prehistoric countryside covering West Kennet Long Barrow, Silbury Hill and the iconic Stonehenge farther afield.
A visit to Wiltshire won’t be complete without visiting this historic town. This friendly town rich in history is the place where Wiltshire Cure, the traditional English technique of curing bacon and ham, originated. Talking of history, the town's story started about 978 AD covering Medieval England on to the Industrial Revolution up to the present day. It is a tale of the rise and fall of rail and canal travel, coach roads, drover’s trails, meat production and woollen broadcloth.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Calne
In this historic town, there is a wide selection of places to eat and drink that offers a smorgasbord of cuisines that will suit any budget. Considered as three of the town's best restaurants are the White Horse Inn, Fay’s Bistro and Spice of Bengal.
One thing that visitors should not miss is the Calne Festival of Food & Drink which showcases the area’s local food and drink in street stalls and food markets. Food tasting and cooking demonstration are also held during the festival.
Things to See and Do in Calne
For things to do, Calne won’t ever disappoint visitors. At the very doorstep of the town is Bowood, a magnificent country house with a beautiful park and garden ideal for picnicking. The town's heritage quarter is the site of the Heritage Centre, where a good selection of independent shops, cafes and the fascinating River Park and Castlefields Canal as well as the well-known Atwell Wilson Motor Museum are located.