Archives and Local Studies staff deliver a broad range of talks suitable for local societies and groups. To book a speaker please contact heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk or telephone 01249 705500. We may on occasion have to limit each organisation to one talk per year owing to the number of requests we get from the many groups across the county.

Cost: suggested donation of £90 payable online using the History Centre Donation button on the Support Us page or by cheque payable to ‘Wiltshire Council’. Please get in touch if you are a smaller group who might find it difficult to pay the suggested donation.

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre? Why not book a tour of the History Centre to learn more about the work we do. We welcome visits from groups of up to 20 people and you will receive a guided tour including access to our strongrooms (not usually accessible to members of the public) and some of our most interesting documents. There is no set fee but we ask for a minimum donation of £5 per head, all of which goes towards making the archives more accessible for generations to come.

Current list of talks available:

• NEW – Wiltshire Pastimes: sport & recreation through Wiltshire’s history – Journey through centuries of recreational pursuits from sports clubs and societies to school sports and hunting, as featured in the Wiltshire & Swindon Archives. And discover how it can all go horribly wrong with examples from depositions and coroners’ bills.
• NEW for 2026 – The World Turn’d Upside Down – Discover the stories of Wiltshire people who shaped local and national events during the British Civil Wars, 1642-1651.
• Christopher Wren: from astronomer to architect – Explores the life and times of Wiltshire-born polymath and architect Christopher Wren who was at the heart of the 17^th century scientific revolution. And reveals the marks he left on Wiltshire’s landscape.
• Stonehenge and beyond – take a virtual tour of World Heritage Sites as recorded in pictures and words in the Wiltshire & Swindon Archive. Travel from Wiltshire’s stone circles to the natural wonder of Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya), the majestic Taj Mahal and the remains of ancient civilisations.
• Wiltshire Black History – Explores the documentary and archival evidence of Wiltshire’s Black History from the 16th century onwards.
• Horrible and Curious History – From the Bronze Age to present day, from bed burials to witchcraft discover some of Wiltshire’s strange but true stories.
• Changing Times – Explores the impact of the Second World War on the Wiltshire Home Front, from an influx of ‘visitors’ to wartime working, civil defence duties, planning and construction, and its legacy in a post-war world.
• John Aubrey: Wiltshire’s first ‘trowel blazer’ – Discover more about this 17th literary innovator and the turbulent times he lived through, including his role in developing antiquarian investigation and archaeological theory.
• Wiltshire Folklore – A fascinating look at the development and evolution of folklore, with examples of Wiltshire myths, tales and remedies.
• Dating and Preserving Old Photographs – Top tips on what to look out for and how to ensure your photographs remain in great condition.
• Penruddock’s Rebellion: four days that shook the Protectorate – Discover the story of the ill-fated rebellion against Cromwell that began in Salisbury and ended in disaster and the rule of the Major Generals.
• Extraordinary Wiltshire Women – Discover the stories of Wiltshire women who shaped our county & nation’s history – from medieval heiress Ela of Salisbury to 20^th century queen of speed The Hon. Mary Bruce.
• Wiltshire Women in the First World War – With photos and stories from the History Centre’s collections, this talk focuses on the war work done by the women of Wiltshire.
• Peace & Aftermath: 1919 and the battle for peace – Wiltshire was not immune to the post war strife that gripped the country. Discover the stories of military mutiny, pandemic and social unrest in Wiltshire as well as the road to universal suffrage
• Albany Ward: Wiltshire’s cinema pioneer – Pioneer, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Albany Ward was a founding fathers of Britain’s cinema industry who built and operated picture palaces across the South West from his adopted home of Salisbury.
• Creative Archives Discover the creativity of renowned artists, writers, scientists & musicians as told through the collections at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.
• NEW Corruption, Murder and Suicide: Coroner’s Records 1194 – 1926 Discover the work of the coroner and the various records for local and family historians held at the Wilshire & Swindon History Centre and elsewhere.
• NEW Maple Leaf Villa: A Canadian army hut, Winnie-the-Pooh and the origins of Wiltshire’s library headquarters Find out about the history of Wiltshire’s Library Service with a few unexpected connections.