Calne Heritage Centre

About the museum

Calne Heritage Centre grew out of a working party formed in the early 1990s after an initiative by Calne Town Council and the Calne Project to set up a heritage centre in the town. Its first event, in 1992, was an exhibition called A Taste of Harris, about the Harris bacon industry that shaped Calne, and some of that material is still on display.

The group spent about ten years looking for suitable premises before agreeing to lease the Carnegie Building from the town council. The building had been the town's library until a new library opened in 2001, after which the council took it over from the county. The centre was officially opened by the Earl of Kerry on 5 October 2004.

Today the centre is managed by volunteer trustees and staffed by volunteers from the Friends of the Centre, and it is a registered charity. It presents the history of Calne and the surrounding area through changing exhibitions and storyboards, together with local objects such as a Progress bicycle made by Maundrell's. The large floor space can be hired for exhibitions or meetings.

Highlights

• Displays on the Harris bacon industry from the A Taste of Harris exhibition
• Storyboards on the history of Calne and the centre
• Local objects such as a Maundrell Progress bicycle
• Housed in the former Carnegie library building
• Free entry

Permanent exhibitions

• A Taste of Harris – Material from the 1992 exhibition on the Harris bacon industry in Calne, still on display.
• History of Calne storyboards – Storyboards and local objects telling the story of Calne and the Heritage Centre's Carnegie building.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Calne Heritage Centre (registered charity)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free and the centre relies on donations. Card payments are not accepted, so bring cash.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The New Road entrance has steps, but there is ramped access through the side entrance. The accessible toilet has rails, a hinged arm and an alarm. There are plenty of chairs. The centre takes part in the Safe Place scheme, which offers a place to sit or help with a phone call.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The centre is in the Carnegie Building on New Road, on the eastern side of Calne, a little outside the town centre.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A small gift shop is open in the centre. The centre is also a collection point for the Calne Food Bank.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The large floor space can be hired for exhibitions or meetings; contact the centre.