Celebrating Wiltshire’s Best Kept Villages of 2026

On Sunday 20 September, CPRE Wiltshire travelled across the county to celebrate the communities recognised in the 2026 Best Kept Village Competition.

The presentation route covered approximately 168 miles, and visiting seven villages in one day. The official party travelled from Alderbury and Whaddon in the south to Ashton Keynes in the north, with presentations in Swallowcliffe, Easterton, All Cannings, Rushall and Great Bedwyn along the way.

The 2026 winners

The principal Best Kept Village awards were presented to:

• Rushall – Small Village winner with 88 points
• Easterton – Medium Village winner with 80 points
• Alderbury and Whaddon – Large Village winner with 82 points

The Laurence Kitching Awards, which recognise villages that have performed successfully in previous competitions, were presented to:

• Swallowcliffe – Small Village winner with 92 points
• All Cannings – Medium Village winner with 96 points
• Ashton Keynes – Large Village winner with 90 points

Great Bedwyn received the 2026 Best Newcomer Award, recognising its excellent first entry into the competition.

Charlton achieved second place in the Small Village category. Edington and Hindon took second and third place in the Medium Village category, while Holt and Derry Hill and Studley achieved second and third place in the Large Village category.

More than a competition

Wherever we travelled, the same qualities were apparent: pride, commitment and a genuine sense of community.

The competition is not simply about how a village looks. It recognises how well communities care for their shared spaces, support local organisations and work together to make their villages welcoming places in which to live.

The presentations gave residents, parish representatives and volunteers the opportunity to celebrate their collective achievements. They also allowed CPRE Wiltshire to thank the many people who maintain village halls, tend public spaces, organise local activities and carry out countless other tasks that often go unnoticed.

The day was supported by civic representatives and partner organisations, including Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, Lord-Lieutenant of Wiltshire; Councillor Laura Mayes, Chair of Wiltshire Council; Dr Alex Goodwin, High Sheriff of Wiltshire; Anne Henshaw, Chair of CPRE Wiltshire; Andy Smith of idverde UK; and Craig Campbell of Wiltshire Council.

We are also grateful to Wiltshire Council and idverde for their continued support, and to the volunteer judges who travelled throughout the county to assess each entry carefully and consistently.

Our congratulations go to all the award winners and to every village that entered the 2026 competition.

Most importantly, thank you to every resident, volunteer, parish representative, judge and supporter who contributed. Their work demonstrates that the Best Kept Village Competition is about much more than presentation—it celebrates the people and community spirit that keep Wiltshire’s villages thriving.

Thank you to all the villages that took part, our dedicated judges, and our sponsors, Wiltshire Council and idverde, for helping to make the competition possible.