Wootton Bassett

Settlement in Wiltshire

England

Wootton Bassett

27 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett Behind the sham timbering is a sixteenth century timber framed house <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1022696?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1022696?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
27 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett Credit: Jonathan Thacker

Wootton Bassett is a small market town located in the county of Wiltshire, England. It is situated approximately 6 miles west of Swindon, and lies close to the border with Gloucestershire. The town has a population of around 11,000 people.

Historically, Wootton Bassett was an important market town due to its strategic location on the old London to Bristol road. The town grew in prominence during the 17th and 18th centuries, with a market being held every Wednesday. Today, the market tradition continues, attracting locals and visitors alike.

One of the town's notable features is its charming High Street, lined with historic buildings, independent shops, and traditional pubs. The town is also home to St. Bartholomew's Church, a Grade I listed building dating back to the 13th century. It serves as a focal point for the community and has a beautiful interior with intricate stained glass windows.

Wootton Bassett gained national recognition for its role in honoring fallen British soldiers. From 2007 to 2011, the town became known for its moving tributes during military repatriation processions. Thousands of people lined the streets to pay their respects to the soldiers as their hearses passed through the town. This tradition ended in 2011 when the repatriations were moved to RAF Brize Norton.

Overall, Wootton Bassett is a picturesque market town with a rich history and a close-knit community. Its location, historic charm, and the legacy of its military tributes make it a popular destination for visitors seeking a taste of traditional English life.

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Wootton Bassett Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.536872/-1.9148866 or Grid Reference SU0682. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

27 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett Behind the sham timbering is a sixteenth century timber framed house <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1022696?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1022696?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
27 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett
Behind the sham timbering is a sixteenth century timber framed house LinkExternal link
Town Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett Now a museum. Dates from about 1700 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1363658?section=official-list-entry" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1363658?section=official-list-entry">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Town Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett
Now a museum. Dates from about 1700 LinkExternal link
Fundamental Motherhood, Royal Wootton Bassett A sculpture created by D. Landsown in 1967.
Fundamental Motherhood, Royal Wootton Bassett
A sculpture created by D. Landsown in 1967.
Borough Fields: October 2022
Borough Fields: October 2022
Royal Wootton Bassett: war memorial Many war memorials appeared in British towns and cities after the South African War of 1899-1902 (known popularly as the Boer War), but most were constructed after the First World War, known to contemporaries as the Great War (1914-19). These were updated after the Second World War (1939-45), usually by adding a plaque with the names of those killed in that conflict. Almost every town and village in Britain has a memorial erected after the Great War, the commonest types taking the form of a cross, an obelisk or a statue of a soldier. Some occupy a prominent public space; others stand in the local cemetery or can be found inside the local church. Memorials usually commemorate the inhabitants of a particular locality, the former pupils of a school, or the members of a military unit or branch of the armed forces. Other memorials, often bronze plaques placed indoors, commemorate the employees of a private company or public institution.
Royal Wootton Bassett: war memorial
Many war memorials appeared in British towns and cities after the South African War of 1899-1902 (known popularly as the Boer War), but most were constructed after the First World War, known to contemporaries as the Great War (1914-19). These were updated after the Second World War (1939-45), usually by adding a plaque with the names of those killed in that conflict. Almost every town and village in Britain has a memorial erected after the Great War, the commonest types taking the form of a cross, an obelisk or a statue of a soldier. Some occupy a prominent public space; others stand in the local cemetery or can be found inside the local church. Memorials usually commemorate the inhabitants of a particular locality, the former pupils of a school, or the members of a military unit or branch of the armed forces. Other memorials, often bronze plaques placed indoors, commemorate the employees of a private company or public institution.
Town Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett: October 2022 Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.

In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest. 
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest. 

There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.

In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.

In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)

Read more at Wikipedia <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listed_building">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Town Hall, Royal Wootton Bassett: October 2022
Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings. Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included. In England and Wales there are three main listing designations; Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important. Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest. Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest. There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations. In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings. Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance. Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II. In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are: Grade A (2.3%) Grade B+ (4.7%) Grade B (93%) Read more at Wikipedia LinkExternal link
Scaffolding on a building in the town centre
Scaffolding on a building in the town centre
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: October 2022
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: October 2022
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (I)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (I)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (II)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (II)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (A)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (A)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (B)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (B)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (C)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (C)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (D)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: stained glass window (D)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: Mothers' Union banner
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: Mothers' Union banner
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (III)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: altar (III)
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: pulpit
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: pulpit
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: font
St Bartholomew, Royal Wootton Bassett: font
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Wootton Bassett is located at Grid Ref: SU0682 (Lat: 51.536872, Lng: -1.9148866)

Unitary Authority: Wiltshire

Police Authority: Wiltshire

What 3 Words

///outs.that.custard. Near Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.536872,-1.9148866
Traffic Sign: GB:575;GB:516
Traffic Sign Direction: backward
Lat/Long: 51.5368954/-1.9113996
Bus Stop
Bus: yes
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 51.5343417/-1.9185672
Mini Roundabout
Lat/Long: 51.5397284/-1.9141551
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5363738/-1.912866
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5358487/-1.9104251
Railway: buffer_stop
Lat/Long: 51.5362445/-1.9127605
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5360791/-1.911297
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5357382/-1.9088025
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5358673/-1.9095435
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5359521/-1.9102904
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5360058/-1.9108805
Railway: switch
Lat/Long: 51.5367714/-1.9115987
Wootton Bassett Junction
Railway: junction
Lat/Long: 51.5356637/-1.9082988
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5362216/-1.9130212
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5359037/-1.9130346
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5354274/-1.9130534
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5351196/-1.9130668
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5338699/-1.9131204
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.5325051/-1.9131808
Traffic Sign: GB:575;GB:516
Traffic Sign Direction: forward
Lat/Long: 51.5355819/-1.9158456
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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