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April 24, 2024
Wiltshire successfully straddles the line between countryside living and metropolitan city life. With bustling towns like Bath and Bristol within a stone’s throw of the region, or the quaint chocolate box villages of the Cotswolds, there’s no shortage of variety.
Wiltshire is a county in the southwest of England, bordering Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Somerset. The largest town in the area is Swindon, followed closely by Salisbury and Chippenham. The region is known throughout the world as the site of Stonehenge and there is plenty of pre-Roman archaeology to explore in the area.
Today, Wiltshire is a thriving region for those looking for work opportunities. It enjoys higher than average salaries compared to other counties of a similar scale, and there are also plentiful job prospects thanks to the many large companies that call Wiltshire home. Many industries are booming in the area, making it a popular spot for job seekers from surrounding regions.
Wiltshire has historically been a rural area best known for farming and agriculture. During the Industrial Revolution, Swindon put the area on the map as this was the site of many locomotive manufacturing sites. The Great Western Railway was pivotal in the development of the Swindon region and made it one of the fastest growing towns in Europe in the 19th Century.
The last steam engine was produced in the region in 1960 and the practice had all but wound down by the 1970s. The site is now a thriving steam engine museum. Aside from the role Swindon and Wiltshire played in the Industrial Revolution, it is the Neolithic history that attracts attention today. Wiltshire is the home of Stonehenge and the Avebury Stone Circles, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites that attract many visitors to the region every year.
Today, Wiltshire is a thriving county with plenty to offer its residents in terms of entertainment and areas of stunning natural beauty. Wiltshire is an ideal location for outdoor pursuits, with the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs right on your doorstep. There’s no shortage of stately homes with large sprawling gardens to explore, including Longleat Safari Park.
Many people flock to the region to enjoy a slice of the country life while still having easy access to cultural hubs like London and Bristol. There’s no shortage of quaint villages with thatched roof homes and weekend farmers’ markets to keep you busy.
Those moving to Wiltshire for the job prospects will be ideally placed to take advantage of a number of different avenues. Some of the largest companies in the UK call Swindon home and there are also plenty of large companies that are always looking for workers.
In Wiltshire, you are ideally placed to make the most of the transport links to Bath, Bristol and London. Finding a role with hybrid working arrangements in these cities would not be unusual.
The largest employers in the region include BMW/Mini, Dolby Labs, Dyson, Halcrow, Intel, NPower, National Trust, Cisco, Nationwide Building Society and Zurich Financial Services. The area also boasts a thriving small business sector, offering plenty of opportunities depending on the career path you would like to explore.
Compared to areas like London and Bristol, the cost of living in Wiltshire is significantly lower. Your money will go further in the region whether you choose to buy or rent. It could also be argued that the quality of living is much higher, as there is more access to green space and outdoor activities.
Popular places to live in Wiltshire include Swindon, Salisbury and Chippenham. For those with school age children, there is no shortage of choice. There are 30 publicly funded county secondary schools and 11 independent secondary schools to choose from in the region.
There are also four further education colleges, including New College (Swindon); Wiltshire College (Chippenham, Trowbridge and Salisbury); Salisbury Sixth Form College; and Swindon College. Wiltshire is one of the few counties in the UK that does not have a university, but Oxford Brookes University does have a Swindon campus.
Wiltshire is home to many festivals and events throughout the year, often with a focus on the rural and outdoor pursuits. The Ageas Salisbury International Arts Festival takes place every year between May and June.
Theatre lovers will be well-served with the Wyvern Theatre and Arts Centre and the Swindon Dance, both in Swindon. There’s also the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-upon-Avon which hosts a range of concerts and the Young Gallery in Salisbury for a regular rotation of art exhibitions.
Those looking for job opportunities in Wiltshire would be advised to start their search in Swindon. This is the largest town in the area and therefore the biggest employer. Other areas to consider include Salisbury and Chippenham.
For village living, consider Lacock, Castle Combe, Sherston and Tisbury. These places offer the very best examples of countryside living, with well-preserved mediaeval architecture. Bradford-upon-Avon also offers an ideal mix of culture and countryside.
If you’re thinking about relocating to Wiltshire for work, there’s no shortage of opportunities and beautiful places to settle down. Whether you’re looking for outdoor living, culture and heritage or easy access to the nation’s capital for a relatively lower cost, Wiltshire has it all. To learn more about employment opportunities in the region, get in touch with our team.
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