With gently rolling countryside, a laid-back pace of life, and plenty of interesting things to see and do, Wiltshire's position along the M4 corridor also means the county has a thriving economy and a good choice of new housing developments - with options for all ages and lifestyles.
David Wilson Homes'Beaufort Park development, for example, will have a very wide appeal - with options for first time buyers right through to families who are upsizing. Situated in the small market town of Royal Wootton Bassett and incorporating two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties, the development lies within the catchment area for popular local schools such as Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, which was rated as 'outstanding' in the Ofsted inspection, and less than a mile from the town's thriving high street. Residents will also enjoy convenient transport links, with easy access to the M4 and M5 for links to Oxford and Bristol, and Swindon's station is just six miles away - where commuters and shoppers can catch direct trains to Bristol and Exeter.
A similarly diverse development is available from Barratt Homes at Wichelstowe in the heart of Swindon, offering one- to five-bedroom properties priced from £194,995 upwards. This development is in a pretty canal-side setting yet is within walking distance of Swindon's central shops and amenities - so it is likely to prove popular with younger professionals and families seeking a lively town-centre location. The new government-backed Help To Buy equity scheme is available at Wichelstowe, enabling buyers to purchase a new home with a 4% deposit plus a 20% equity loan from the government.
In Westbury, Lakeside View from David Wilson Homes has a lot to offer families. It incorporates a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes priced from £160,000, all situated within walking distance of the train station and a variety of amenities such as schools, a supermarket, and a doctor's surgery. Most famous for the Westbury White Horse hill figure, the town of Westbury has some gorgeous countryside right on its doorstep, and plenty of leisure pursuits on offer at Westbury Country Park - while the beautiful city of Bath is less than 16 miles away, and is easily reached by road or rail.
Another good option for families is Redrow's Willowbrook development, situated just outside the market town of Devizes, in the heart of Wiltshire. Three-, four- and five-bedroom homes have been specifically designed with family living in mind. Lovely countryside is close by, yet the development is also just a couple of miles from the town centre, which is home to a good range of local shops, leisure amenities and schools.
For older buyers, The Gardens is a small, prestigious, gated development of just 14 three-bedroom cottages situated in the well-known market town of Chippenham. Situated on the River Avon between Marlborough Downs, The Cotswolds and Salisbury Plain, Chippenham is within easy reach of picture-perfect English villages such as Lacock and Castle Combe. Archstone Lifestyle Homes has created this collection of homes in one of the town's most sought-after addresses: Hardenhuish Lane - with properties priced from £359,950 and specifically designed for buyers aged over 55. Each cottage incorporates a good-sized garden, a conservatory, and generously-proportioned rooms - while residents also benefit from communal gardens and an estate management service.