Places of interest in Wiltshire

Salisbury

Salisbury has been a favourite destination with visitors for the past 800 years or more. With first class visitor attractions, theatres, events, shopping, eating and drinking it's no wonder that last year Salisbury was voted, by Observer readers, in the top ten of the best British tourist destinations!

We hope that you will agree when you discover how perfectly the past merges with the present, as you enjoy the delights of our medieval city and beautiful English countryside.
There is an abundance of historical buildings peppered throughout the city to explore including the majestic sight that is Salisbury Cathedral's spire', Britain's tallest, standing at a breathtaking 123 metres - together with modern high street shops that are mixed with specialist retail outlets with something for everyone.

Stonehenge stands impressively as a prehistoric monument of unique importance, a World Heritage Site, surrounded by remains of ceremonial and domestic structures - some older than the monument Stonehenge's orientation on the rising and setting sun has always been one of its remarkable features. Whether this was simply because the builders came from a sun-worshipping culture, or because - as some scholars believe - the circle and its banks were part of a huge astrological calendar, remains a mystery. To complete your journey, visit the superb gift shop and the Stonehenge Kitchen. Audio tour available in 9 languages, easy disabled access, hearing loop and Braille guide available. The Stonehenge

Trowbridge

The name is believed to be from the Anglo-Saxon words for tree and bridge - 'treow-brycg' - indicating either that the towns name came from a bridge made of trees or for a bridge close to an unusually prominent tree.

The Castle

The castle was built near what is know the centre of the town, and was fairly substantial. In the 12th century the castle fell into ruin and by the mid-1500s there was no structural evidence left. In 1812 the lots were sold for the building of cloth mills. Fore street ( the main shopping street) follows the castles outer defences. The shires now occupy a large area of what was the centre of the castle.

Trowbridge Museum

The museum welcomes over 22000 visitors every year, and is situated in the shires Shopping centre in a old woollen mill. Its extremely interesting and tells information on the history of the town, and the people that live within it. Admission is free except to schools, however a wide range of workshops can be undertaken to meet varius stages of the curriculum.

Trowbridge Football Club

Trowbridge Town football club has moved sites many times since it was set up in 1880. They played their first match at the top of Timbrell Street against Bradford On Avon. They eventually played at the Flower Show Field in the Western League. In 1923 they moved to a site with a new stand in Bythesea road. In 1934 the old stand was moved to the Frome Road ground.The team won many awards until the they run into financial difficulties. This meant they had to close down, and the Frome Road site sold for housing. The club soon reformed and moved to North Bradley, where they play in Wiltshire Premier Division.

Famous People of the town

- Matthew Hutton, rector of St James from 1726 to 1730 became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1757.
- Isaac Pitman invented the system of shorthand. He was born and raised in Trowbridge
- Thomas Helliker, a Trowbridge cloth worker was arrested in 1802 on suspicion of threatening a night-watchman with a pistol during an anti-machinery mill-burning riot. Although protesting his innocence, he refused to betray the real culprit, a fellow member of the shearmen's union, and was subsequently tried and hanged on his 19th birthday in 1803.

Devizes

Though it almost lies in the centre of Wiltshire, Devizes did not come into existence until after the Norman Conquest, making it rather unique among the other Wiltshire market towns.

Also evident in Devizes was the Castle originally constructed in 1080 by Bishop Osmund. Rebuilt in stone in 1120 (after a fire) by Bishop Roger. The castle changed hands twice during the civil war but originally Empress Matilda (daughter of Henry I ) held the castle until her death in 1167 where it passed to her son Henry II. The castle was later dismantled after the battle of Roundway Down. The present castle was built in the 19th century as a private residence and is not open to the public.

Devizes is home to over 500 listed buildings.

In 1810 the Rivers, Kennet and Avon opened, with its 29 locks that raise the water 230 feet (70 metres) and trade increased with the transport of tobacco and Bath stone.

Devizes is a small market town in north Wiltshire, probably best known for the Kennet and Avon Canal's Caen Hill flight of 29 locks, which rise 237 feet in 2½ miles. Or maybe because it has one of the best breweries in the country, or even because it is such a good name for limericks!

Just opposite the Market Cross this cream fronted building is Cromwell House. It also houses the Tourist Information Centre.

By far the best way to explore the town is on foot. Back out in the Market Place take a look at the upper stories of the shops. Lots of fine Georgian buildings here plus later but still quite grand ones. One or two complete ones too. Look at the Offices and Banks.The Market Cross is inscribed with the story of a woman struck dead for lying about a few pence she had attempted to cheat out of a sale of some corn. There are still outdoor markets held here, on a Thursday. There's an indoor market too. That's Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with an Antiques market on Tuesdays. If that's not enough, there's an outdoor Farmer's Market on the first Saturday of the month, when you can find a wonderful range of traditional country foods.