Wootton Bassett Museum

About the museum

Wootton Bassett Museum is housed in the Town Hall on the High Street, a building put up in 1695 by Lawrence Hyde. Over the years it served as a meeting room, courthouse, school and library. By 1889 it was in poor condition and in danger of being taken down, but Sir Henry Meux paid for a refurbishment. His wife, Lady Meux, later set up a library there.

The museum itself was founded in 1971 by Dr Stebbens, chairman of the Wootton Bassett Historical Society. Some of its best-known objects, such as the ducking stool and portraits of local dignitaries, had been displayed in the building long before it became a museum.

Today the displays cover the town's history, from a local fossil collection and old coins, including an Anglo-Saxon coin found in the town, to the original ducking stool of 1686 and the stocks. Other exhibits show the history of the town's post office, the railway station as it was in 1965 before it closed, and the building of the M4 through Wiltshire. Films include the day the town became royal and the final flypast of the Hercules aircraft on its way to Brize Norton.

Highlights

• Original ducking stool and stocks
• Local fossils and old coins, including an Anglo-Saxon coin
• Post office history display
• Railway station as it was in 1965
• Display on the building of the M4
• Films of the town and the Hercules flypast

Permanent exhibition

• Town history displays – Displays on the post office, the old railway station, the M4 and local finds, with the original ducking stool and stocks.

Founded

1971

Operated by

Wootton Bassett Historical Society

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free; the museum is funded by donations. Books and memorabilia are on sale, and card payments are accepted.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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 museum is reached by 16 steps and has no wheelchair access.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

Books and memorabilia are sold at the museum; no cafe.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.