Events
Events and Activities
Author's Talks
Talks and lectures
Courses
Exhibitions
All events are held at WSHC unless otherwise stated. Tickets for events at the History Centre may be purchased in advance at the Help Desk or can be reserved on 01249 705500 (Tues-Sat 9:30-5) Numbers may be limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your event begins.
FREE Conservation Surgery
Thurs 11 April, 9 May, and 13 June. 2-4 pm FREE
Come and get advice from our archive and object conservators about caring for your precious family photographs, keepsakes and treasures. Booking essential!
Memory Box Reading Group
First and third Monday afternoon of every month, 2-3.30pm
Do you enjoy history and listening to stories? Our group is meeting on the first and third Monday afternoon of every month to listen to an extract from one of the amazing collection of books in our Local Studies Library. We will take time to share memories and thoughts, and also have a chat over refreshments! If you would enjoy some friendly company in a relaxed environment, this is for you. All welcome!
Free entry, parking right outside and refreshments, supported by Hob Nob Press.
Read - Reminisce - Enjoy
Local History Month - May 2019
A series of events to celebrate local history running throughout May - download the Local History Month programme.
History Revealed: Seend
Wednesday 8 May 10am-4.15pm
Find out what makes Seend so special! Discover more about the people and places in Seend through archival documents, maps, archaeology and additional resources for local history plus afternoon field visit to the village focusing on architectural history.
(Lunch not included. Own transport required).
Venue: Melksham Library
£10 (£8 concessions) from the library or WSHC – booking essential
Know Your Place Challenge
Wednesday 15 May
Join the KYP challenge which pits Wiltshire against our neighbouring KYP partners in the south west. Pin images of historical information and/or photos to the Know Your Place website to tell the story of your favourite Wiltshire place – why not pop in to the History Centre and let us help you on your journey!
Cost: FREE (Drop-in event – free entry)
History is Here: Mildenhall - held at Marlborough Library
Wednesday 15 May 1-2.30pm
Discover how you can find out more about Mildenhall with the help of your library. Booking essential on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01722 512663. Admission: £4 (held at Marlborough Library)
Archaeology Walks
Devizes Arts Festival guided walks (led by Wiltshire County Archaeologists)
Please book via the Devizes Arts Festival website
Sunday 9th June, 10.30. Fee payable for Devizes Arts Festival - Roundway Down.
An opportunity to explore the historic landscape of Roundway Down and Oliver’s Fort, guided by experts from the Wiltshire County Archaeology team. In this walk, we will look at the archaeological features of Roundway Down and Oliver’s Fort, and you will hear tales of the bloody Civil War battle and the nearby holy wells.
Sunday 2nd June, 10.30. Fee payable for Devizes Arts Festival - Historic Devizes.
An opportunity to explore the main features of the historic town of Devizes, including exciting new evidence from recent excavations, guided by experts from the Wiltshire County Archaeology team. In this walk, we will explore the main features of the town of Devizes, discussing its development through time and especially the influential role of the castle where recent excavations have revealed exciting new evidence.
Guided walks led by Wiltshire Council Archaeologists
Anyone who is interested in the below walks to please email the Archaeology Service at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further details.
Friday 12th July, 7.00-9.00 pm - Romans, Saxons and Kangaroos: Archaeology in Market Lavington.
Join Martin Brown (Wiltshire Council Archaeology Service) on a walk into the past of Market Lavington. See the site of the and find out how our forebears shaped the land we inhabit. We will walk from the church through the designed landscape north of the village, before returning through the medieval village to the Market Place (and pub), via a Saxon cemetery and Roman temple.
Sunday 14th July, 2.00-4.00 pm – Ludgershall Castle.
Join Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger, County Archaeologist, on a walk exploring the varied history of Ludgershall Castle, from Prehistoric earthwork to sixteenth century garden.
Saturday 27th July, 2.00-4.00 pm – South of Stonehenge Landscape.
Join Sarah Simmonds, Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Partnership Manager, on a walk exploring this complex and compelling landscape and to understand why it’s a World Heritage Site.
Recent Wiltshire Archaeological Discoveries
Wednesday 15 May 10.30am
Find out the latest news about local finds and excavations with the County Archaeologist.
A talk by Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
Recent Fieldwork on Wiltshire Vernacular Buildings
Wednesday 12 June 10.30am
A talk by Wiltshire Buildings Recorder, Dorothy Treasure
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
Catsbrain, Breakheart and Labour-in-Vain: the hidden history of place names
Wednesday 26 June 10.30am
Find out more about the fascinating field names and place names of Wiltshire in a talk by Naomi Sackett
Admission: £4 – booking advisable
An Introduction to Ancestry.co.uk
Saturday 27 April; Saturday 18 May; Saturday 8 June all 9.30-10.30am
Are you unsure how to use the website Ancestry.co.uk, which contains lots of useful sources for family history such as parish registers and wills of Wiltshire? Find out how to get started with this hands-on workshop with Ian Hicks
(Workshop repeated – only need to book on one!)
Limited places - booking essential. Admission £5
Unlocking Research Resources for Local Studies
Thurdays 23 May, 10-3.30pm
A useful study day for family and local history researchers to help them make the most of our Local Studies Library. Tuition will be provided using a wide variety of sources including practical and interesting exercises. Find out how you can expand your research to give additional context and a sense of place to individuals and communities in history.
Admission: £7 – booking advisable (Lunch not included)
Sources for Family History
Tuesday 30 April-4 June 9.30am-12.30pm
Go beyond the internet and discover useful sources for Family History including parish and nonconformist records; education and hospital records; poor law records; probate records (eg wills); records of crime and punishment; and estate and manorial records.
Led by our team of History Centre experts.
Cost: £40 for 6 week course – places limited - booking essential
Download the course programme
Reception Foyer:
Tickets for events at the History Centre may be purchased in advance at the Help Desk or can be reserved on 01249 705500 (Tues-Sat 9:30-5) Payment by credit card or cheque is only possible for 2 more tickets. Numbers may be limited so please buy your ticket in advance. Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your event begins.
Download a PDF version of our events programme
Download a poster to help us advertise our events to help us advertise our events - thank you!
Disclaimer: We may take photographs at events for future publicity purposes. Please make a member of staff aware if you would prefer not to be included in any images. Permission will sought for images which include children.
