Hilmarton

What you'll find here is a genuine working community rather than somewhere designed with visitors in mind, and that's precisely what makes it worth a visit. The village clusters around its church and a few roads lined with stone cottages, many of which date back several centuries.

Hilmarton has a notable connection to Scottish painter William Drummond Bone, who was born here in 1907. He went on to become a respected artist, winning the Guthrie Award in 1939 for his oil painting Leisure, and his work captured rural landscapes and village life with real understanding and skill.

A gentle walk through the village lanes rewards the effort. The church itself is worth exploring if you're interested in local history, and the surrounding countryside is excellent for longer rambles. The Cotswolds Canal runs nearby, with a towpath that offers a more structured walk if you prefer one. Hilmarton genuinely feels quiet and unhurried rather than arranged for tourist convenience, which makes it ideal if you're exploring the wider Wiltshire area and want somewhere removed from the main crowds. Chippenham is close enough for practical needs like shops and restaurants, while you're also within easy reach of larger Cotswolds attractions further north.