Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Lacock Abbey is a country house with monastic roots and Britain's birthplace of photography. It is set in spacious wooded grounds, with plenty of space to picnic, and is now recognizable from films varying from Pride and Prejudice to Harry Potter. It was home to the Fox Talbot family. In the early 19th century, polymath William Henry Fox Talbot invented the photographic negative, a cornerstone in the rise of photography as both an art and a popular hobby.

Corsham Court is a beautiful Elizabethan mansion built in 1582 and much remodelled over the subsequent centuries. It is in the town of Corsham, 3 miles west of Chippenham, Wiltshire and is notable for its fine art collection, based on the nucleus of paintings inherited in 1757 by Paul Methuen from his uncle, Sir Paul Methuen, the diplomat. It is currently the home of the present Baron Methuen, James Methuen-Campbell, the eighth generation of the Methuens to live there.

Bowood House & Gardens is the home of the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne. Bowood offers a fantastic day out in Wiltshire for all the family. Famous for one of the UK’s most extensive Adventure Playgrounds, children are guaranteed the time of their lives. This house has a rich history with a wealth of art and antiques on display, and within the numerous Exhibition Rooms are remarkable collections of family heirlooms and works of art built up over 250 years.

Castle Combe Circuit is a motor racing circuit in Wiltshire, England, approximately 20 miles from Bristol. The circuit is based on the perimeter track of a former World War II airfield, and was opened for racing in 1950. Races include a home-circuit championship with classes for Saloon cars, Sports and GTs, and Formula Ford. Racing clubs from around the UK include the track in the events for their championships, including the 750 Motor Club, and BRSCC.

The only motor museum in Wiltshire. The majority of the exhibits are cars from the 1920s onwards plus a collection of motorcycles, mopeds and bicycles. There is also interesting memorabilia, the Jack Spittle Model Lorry Collection plus a reconstructed 1930s style garage complete with vehicles.

The Manor House Golf Club is nestled in 365 acres of Cotswold countryside, bordering the village of Castle Combe. The championship 18-hole golf course also houses The Clubhouse for food and drink, The Loft, our state of the art gym and The Waterfall Lodge suitable for overnight golf breaks. The Manor House Hotel enjoys a beautifully secluded setting alongside the village of Castle Combe, film location for Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse, but is just a short drive from the world famous city of Bath