Wiltshire

Wiltshire (abbreviated Wilts) is a county in the south west of England. Considered as a ceremonial county, it is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and contains the unitary authority of Swindon. The county covers 858,931 acres (3476 km²)

The county is characterised by its high downland and wide valleys. Salisbury Plain is famous as the location of Stonehenge and other ancient landmarks. The city of Salisbury is notable for its cathedral.

The county, formerly 'Wiltonshire' or 'Wiltunscir' (9th century), is named after the former county town of Wilton (itself named after the river Wylye, one of eight rivers that drain the county). The new county town is Trowbridge in the Trowbridge community area.

The local nickname for Wiltshire natives is moonrakers. This originated from a story of smugglers who managed to foil the local police by hiding their alchohol in a pond. They raked the surface in order to conceal the submerged alcohol with ripples, and claimed that they were trying to rake in the moon. The police took them for mad and left them alone, allowing them to continue with their illegal goods.