We look forward to welcoming you

Planning A Visit

Welcome to the History Centre. These pages should provide all the information you need to plan your visit and make the most of your time in the search rooms. Any changes to opening times and services will be posted here and on the home page, and also on our social media sites. 

Researcher inspecting a volume

To maximise your time at the History Centre, and to avoid disappointment in the event our searchroom is full, we strongly recommend that you book your visit in advance. If you have not booked in advance we will do our best to help you, however if the searchroom is busy or if your enquiry is particularly complex (rights of way, planning enquiries, or boundary disputes for example), there may be a delay in locating documents for your research.

Our help desk staff will be on hand to give advice on reading and interpreting documents, however unfortunately we are not able offer in-depth research assistance in person. We are currently only able to offer a limited amount of advice free of charge; for in-depth or complex research, we offer a research service at a cost of £38 per hour. Many historic records have not survived to be transferred to the archive and so it may not always be possible to find the answers you are looking for; if that is the case, we will always suggest other avenues of research where possible. If your research relates to a legal matter (such as a boundary dispute) we will do our very best to help locate any surviving documents that might assist you, but please note that we are not qualified to offer advice on the legal ramifications of the documents in our care.

You can pre-order up to ten items for your visit but you are welcome to order more on the day if you have time for them. Pre-ordering is advisable to save you time and ensure you get to see what you require, but is not essential. If you have any queries please get in touch by email in the first instance or telephone 01249 705500.

Computers and microform are limited in number and we advise pre-booking.

Our help desk staff can show you how to safely handle original documents. Please bring your own supply of pencils and paper. No pens are allowed in the searchrooms. Please note that bags and coats cannot be brought into the searchrooms, but lockers are available, and staff will be on hand to show you where personal items can be securely stored.

There are no charges for visiting Wiltshire and Swindon Archives but charges do apply if you want to copy any documents. We will advise on what may be copied and the most suitable method. You are welcome to take photographs with your own camera, provided you ask permission first and pay a standard fee (see our copying charges for further detail). If you wish to publish documents or make lengthy quotations you should first consult a member of staff.

Food and drink may be consumed in the reception area.

Proof of identification is not required to visit us. However, if you wish to join as a member and receive a membership card then a form of identification will be required upon joining (in the form of a CARN card, driving licence, Wiltshire library card, allowance book, official bill/invoice, bank statement or passport). Membership is free of charge and worthwhile if you will be visiting us often. Membership forms are available from reception.

See our Accessibility page for a more detailed introduction to your first visit.

Contact Us

Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
Cocklebury Road
Chippenham
SN15 3QN

E: heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk
T: 01249 705500

Opening Times & Location

Opening Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 09:30am – 5pm
Wednesday: 09:30am – 5pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 09:30am – 5pm
Saturday: Usually first Saturday of each month only 09:30am – 5pm*
Sunday: Closed

*Saturday dates for 2026 are as follows: 6 June; 4 July; 1 August; 5 September; 3 October; 7 November

Location

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre
Cocklebury Rd, Chippenham SN15 3QN

We advise booking your visit in advance either by telephone or email.

Facilities

Access for disabled visitors

The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is fully accessible for visitors in wheelchairs and there is a loop system for visitors with hearing difficulties. Please contact us if you would like more information about access.

The outside front entrance of the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
Accommodation, amenities and attractions

For details of accommodation and other amenities near the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre please go to the Visit Wiltshire website or Chippenham Town Council’s Discover Chippenham page.

Car parking

There is free parking at the History Centre including spaces close to the entrance for Blue Badge holders. Alternative public pay and display car parking is available at the railway station, about 550 metres away, in Cocklebury Road, or at the Sadlers Mead car park.

Food and Drink

Food and drink can be consumed on site in the reception area, but to protect the archives no eating or drinking is allowed in the search rooms. We would advise that you bring your own water as we no longer have a water cooler in the reception area. Hot drinks are available from a vending machine. There are picnic benches outside the front entrance for use when the weather permits. Alternatively there is a range of food outlets within a short walk of the History Centre.

Meeting Rooms

The Education Room at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is now available for hire. Enquiries to
01249 705500 or email heritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk

Smoking

Please note that smoking (including the consumption of electronic cigarettes) is NOT permitted anywhere on the site of Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, including the car park.

Lockers

Secure lockers are available in the reception area for coats, bags and personal belongings.

Toilets

Located on the ground floor, adjacent to the public entrance.

How to find us

Coming from the north (M4):

Leave the M4 at junction 17. Follow the dual carriageway, the A350, south towards Chippenham.
At the first roundabout take the first exit onto the Malmesbury Road, the B4158, signposted Town Centre.
Follow this road straight on for about 2 miles, and at the main roundabout (near the retail park) take the third exit onto New Road, the B4069, signposted Bath, Calne, Town Centre.
Keep in left hand lane, then turn left (signposted railway station).
Turn left at the roundabout, onto Station Hill.
Continue straight on onto Cocklebury Road, passing the railway station on your left-hand side. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

Coming from the south (A350 – Melksham etc)

After you have passed through Beanacre, take the second exit at the Lackham College roundabout, onto the B4528, signposted A4, Calne.
Continue straight on until the set of traffic lights at the Queensbridge junction, where you should take the right hand lane. Continue straight on until you reach a mini-roundabout, with a railway bridge on your left. Turn right onto Rowden Hill, the A4, signposted Calne.
As you approach the Bridge Centre roundabout get in the left hand lane for the first set of traffic lights; then move into the middle lane to go past the next set of traffic lights, then move into the left hand lane to take the 3rd exit onto Bath Road, signposted Monkton Park.
At the mini-roundabout turn left onto the Bridge. (The High Street is on your right.)
Turn right at the next roundabout, onto Station Hill.
Continue straight on onto Cocklebury Road, passing the railway station on your left-hand side. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

Coming from the west (A420 – Bristol etc)

At the junction with the A350, the Bumpers Farm roundabout, take the second exit, (straight across), onto the A420, Bristol Road, signposted Calne and Town Centre. Bear left and at the double mini-roundabout go straight across, signposted Calne and Town Centre.
At next mini-roundabout turn left into Park Lane, the A420. Keep in the right hand lane, and bear right, signposted Calne A4.
Move across into left-hand lane, and turn left at the traffic lights, signposted Chippenham Station.
Turn left at the next roundabout, onto Station Hill.
Continue straight on onto Cocklebury Road, passing the railway station on your left-hand side. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

Coming from the west (A4 – Bath etc)

At the junction with the A350, the Chequers roundabout, take the third exit onto Bath Road, the A4 (signposted Calne)
At the next two roundabouts, go straight across, still following signs for Calne.
Go through the railway arch, and take the second exit (straight across) at the mini-roundabout.
As you approach the Bridge Centre roundabout get in the left hand lane for the first set of traffic lights; then move into the middle lane to go past the next set of traffic lights, then move into the left hand lane to take the 3rd exit onto Bath Road, signposted Monkton Park.
At the mini-roundabout turn left onto the Bridge. (The High Street is on your right.)
At the next roundabout turn right onto Station Hill.
Continue straight on onto Cocklebury Road, passing the railway station on your left-hand side. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

Coming from the east (A4 – Calne etc)

At the first roundabout on the outskirts of Chippenham turn left, onto Pewsham Way.
Keep on this road, going straight across the next 3 roundabouts, signposted Through traffic, town centre.
At the next roundabout take the first exit onto Avenue La Fleche, signposted A4, Through traffic.
As you approach the traffic lights shortly before the Bridge Centre roundabout, move into the right hand lane.
Keep in this lane past the first set of traffic lights, then move further over into the right hand lane at the Bridge Centre roundabout.
Follow the road round to the right, but move into the left hand lane at the next set of traffic lights, and take the 4th exit onto Bath Road, signposted Monkton Park and Railway Station.
At the mini-roundabout turn left onto the Bridge. (The High Street is on your right.)
At the next roundabout turn right onto Station Hill.
Continue straight on onto Cocklebury Road, passing the railway station on your left-hand side. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

If your journey is not shown here, please contact staff and we will try to assist you.

Please check Wiltshire Council’s information on road closures and disruptions before you set out, to avoid delays to your journey.

Our what3words locations are:

Car park entrance: smart.finds.meanwhile

Front door: idea.freely.convert

Chippenham railway station is operated by First Great Western (see First Great Western). It is on the main line from London Paddington to the West Country. Please contact train operators for details of services.
See National Rail

Once you have arrived at Chippenham, please leave by the main exit, at the front of the station. There are taxis on your left, should you require one,and a bus stop on the right. If you choose to walk, it will take about 10 minutes. Turn left out of the railway station and go along Cocklebury Road. You will pass the Chippenham campus of the WiltshireCollege on the opposite side of the road. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.

Our what3words front door location is:

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Bus services from Calne, Devizes, Swindon, Bath, and Trowbridge, amongst other places, are available to Chippenham.
The easiest option may be to take a bus to Chippenham railway station and then get a taxi or walk. If you choose to walk, it will take about 10 minutes. Turn left out of the railway station and go along Cocklebury Road. You will pass the Chippenham campus of the WiltshireCollege on the opposite side of the road. After just over 500 metres the road curves around to the right. The History Centre is a large building 50 metres past this bend on your left.
For bus timetables visit: Traveline Telephone: 0871 200 22 33

Our what3words front door location: idea.freely.convert

  • General area map

  • Detailed view map