The Salisbury Museum

The Salisbury Museum sits right in the town centre, housed in a Georgian building that's worth a look in itself. Inside, you'll find one of the best collections of Stonehenge and Iron Age artefacts outside of the British Museum - which matters if you're already planning a trip to the stones just a few miles north. The Pitt Rivers collection alone justifies the visit; there's genuine archaeological material here, not just interpretive panels.

You're looking at roughly two hours if you're thorough, ninety minutes if you want the highlights. The Roman finds are solid, the medieval bits are engaging, and there's enough Saxon jewellery to keep history types properly occupied. Families with older kids will get more from it than those with under-eights - it's not interactive in the modern sense, but it's genuine and thoughtfully arranged.

The real draw is how it plugs into a Stonehenge pilgrimage. If you're camping at Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Bake Farm - both within easy driving distance - you can do the museum on a rainy afternoon before heading out to the stones on a clearer day. Summerlands up at 4 miles away is the better-rated option if you're after more space and facilities.

Admission's modest, and it closes at 5pm most days, so don't leave it too late. Genuinely worth the short walk from wherever you're staying in town.