The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
Welcome to the History Centre, your passport to the past
The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9.30am to 5pm, and on the first Saturday of the month. Whether a first-time visitor or a regular you are assured a warm and friendly welcome from our staff who are on hand to answer your queries and help you make the most of your time in the search room.
Ahead of your visit you can search our online archive catalogue.
It is advisable to book your archives and local studies visit in advance by contacting us by email or telephone. If you have any problems or queries please get in touch by email in the first instance or telephone 01249 705500.
Latest News
Local History Month – May 2026
There are events and exhibitions happening at libraries across Wiltshire this Local History Month: 11 May (morning) Corsham Library Learn how to use the British Newspaper Archive FREE (booking at Corsham library) 13 May (drop-in morning) and 14 May (drop-in afternoon) Chippenham Library Learn how to use the British [...]
Moonrakers’ Educafe launches at WSHC
April has been an exciting and rewarding month for community-focused initiatives at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. One of the highlights was the successful and warmly received launch of Moonrakers’ Educafe, which took place on Monday 27 April. Generously funded by the Chippenham Borough Lands Charity, Moonrakers’ Educafe [...]
Doodling the Doodlebug
Alex Moulton (1920-2012) had a long and varied engineering career and is perhaps best known for his pioneering small-wheeled bicycle, which premiered in 1962, and for designing the suspension on the British Motor Corporation’s 1959 Mini. However, Moulton’s early career was not in the motor or bicycle industries, but [...]
