Tourism

On Sunday, October 16th 2011, in a moving ceremony, the town received the Letters Patent from Princess Anne on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen and became Royal Wootton Bassett. The town is only the third in British History to receive this honour. This honour was given to the town because of the support and respect given to the brave servicemen and women who tragically lost their lives in defence of our country.

Wilts & Berks Canal – On the 30th January 1793 the Earl of Peterborough chaired a meeting in Royal Wootton Bassett Town Hall which eventually led to the building of the Wilts & Berks Canal. The canal was officially opened on the 14th September 1810, linking the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington to the River Thames at Abingdon. Nine years later a branch was constructed joining Swindon to Latton on the Thames & Severn Canal. By 1900 boat movements had almost totally ceased and in 1914 the canal was officially abandoned.

In 1977 a group was formed called the Wilts and Berks Canal Amenity Group (W&BCAG) whose aim was to totally restore the canal using as much of the original route as possible. Now known as Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, it has been 40 years since and has grown from strength to strength through the generous input of countless number of volunteers working to protect, conserve and improve the route of the waterway for the benefit of local communities and the environment.

Angling Club Contact: Mr T Strange 01793 201276.

Water Safety Advice for Anglers, please see link : http://www.rlss.org.uk/water-safety/water-safety/water-safety-advice-for-anglers/

St Bartholomew and All Saints Church is 15th century except for a 14th-century window with modern glass. On Monday nights the sound of the bells ring out in Royal Wootton Bassett High Street, the earliest bells date back to the four that were cast in 1633, it was only much later, between 1669 and 1871, that the church tower was built. The tenor bell, one of the original four, which weighs almost a ton and bears the inscription “Come when I call to serve God all”. The restoration was commemorated in 1662 with the addition of another bell. The final three, bringing the total to the current eight, were added in 1889.

Royal Wootton Bassett’s best-known landmark the Town Hall was built at the end of the 17th Century, it owes its existence to the political ambitions of the Hyde family (the Earls of Clarendon) who presented the building to the town and also had the market charter renewed.

The upper floor of the hall was a council chamber built on 15 pillars, while below there was a storeroom for market goods and also a Blind House or lock-up, in which drunks were detained overnight. The building was extensively restored in 1889 when the Blind House disappeared.

The Town Hall now holds a museum, for more information please click here.

Find out What on in Royal Wootton Bassett!

Two major events in the town are Remembrance in November  and Christmas Lights & Shopping Evening, usually the first Friday in December.

Wednesdays are market days in Royal Wootton Bassett by the Town Hall in the High Street from 8.30am.

Tourist Information Point is based in the Town Council Office at 117 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AU.

Town Centre Map and Parking will help you navigate the centre of the town and where to park along with finding our local attractions.