Attractions and Places To See around Selwood - Top 20

The Selwood area is rich in history. You can visit the impressive Avoncliff Aqueduct, a significant feat of 18th-century engineering on the Kennet & Avon Canal. Another notable historical site is Longleat House, an Elizabethan prodigy house set within 1,000 acres of parkland. The historic Selwood Forest itself played a crucial role as an Anglo-Saxon boundary and a refuge for King Alfred the Great.

Yes, several attractions are great for families. Longleat House and its surrounding estate offer a safari park and other activities. The Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath provides a tranquil setting for walks and cycles, often spotting wildlife. The Colliers Way is another family-friendly cycle path that makes use of disused railway lines.

Selwood is known for its natural landscapes, particularly remnants of the ancient Selwood Forest. You can find areas of ancient woodland and rich wood pastures, such as those within the estates of Longleat and Stourhead. The Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath offers opportunities to enjoy leafy woodlands, tranquil nature, and abundant wildlife along the canal and River Avon.

There are numerous options for walking and hiking. The Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath offers scenic walks through woodland and along the canal. For more dedicated hiking routes, you can explore the trails listed in our Hiking around Selwood guide, which includes routes like the Mells River Path and trails around Nunney Castle.

Absolutely. The Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath is a popular cycle route, linking London with the Bristol Channel and offering beautiful scenery. Another excellent option is the Colliers Way, a dedicated bike path utilizing old railway lines. You can even cycle through the grounds of Longleat on the Longleat House Drive, often spotting animals.

Beyond hiking and cycling, the Selwood area offers opportunities for gravel biking and running. Our Gravel biking around Selwood guide features routes like the Shearwater Lake loop. For runners, the Running Trails around Selwood guide provides options such as the Mells River Path.

To truly appreciate the engineering of the Kennet & Avon Canal, visit the Avoncliff Aqueduct. This impressive structure carries the canal over the River Avon and is a highlight of Britain's waterways. You can walk or cycle along the Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath from Dundas Aqueduct to Avoncliff to see more of the canal's features and enjoy the surrounding nature.

Yes, wildlife spotting is a common experience. Along the Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath, you can observe abundant wildlife in the tranquil natural setting. When cycling through the Longleat House Drive, it's common to spot animals like giraffes, hippos, and kangaroos from the safari park.

While specific 'hidden gems' are subjective, exploring the quieter sections of the ancient woodland remnants within the historic Selwood Forest area, such as Picket Wood, can offer a more secluded experience. The various wood pastures and parklands like Marston Park or Mells Park, while part of larger estates, might offer peaceful walks away from main tourist hubs.

Visitors frequently praise the blend of historical significance and natural beauty. The impressive engineering of the Avoncliff Aqueduct and the scenic cycling along the Kennet and Avon Canal Towpath are often highlighted. The opportunity to cycle through the grounds of Longleat House Drive and spot animals is also a unique and much-loved experience.

Yes, the historic Selwood Forest played a significant role in the story of King Alfred the Great, providing refuge for him before the Battle of Ethandune. While not directly within the forest remnants, Alfred's Tower, possibly near Egbert's Stone on Kingsettle Hill, offers a historical connection to this period and his presence in the wider Selwood area.