Trowbridge
Trowbridge is the county town of Wiltshire in the West Country of England.
Understand
Modern-day Trowbridge is a rather uninspiring mid-sized English town, but one with a surprisingly rich history.
The Kennett and Avon canal runs to the north of Trowbridge and played a large part in the development of the town as it allowed coal to be transported from the Somerset Coalfield. The town was an also a major British centre in the textile industry in south west England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and was even described in 1820 as "The Manchester of the West". The textile industry is now mostly all long gone, but evidence remains by way of buildings and a decent little local museum.
Get in
By car
From M4 Coming from the east, travelling west get off at junction 17 and take the A350 south. At Semington take the A361 west
By train
π Trowbridge station is on the Wessex Main Line which runs from Bristol to Southampton.
Get around
See
- π Farleigh Hungerford Castle, Farleigh Hungerford village, nr Trowbridge, BA2 7RS, β +44 1225 754026. daily 10AM-6PM. The remains of this very grand castle are in the Frome valley just 3 miles out of Trowbridge. The castle dates from the 14th century and was occupied by the Hungerford family for 300 years. It contains some rare medieval wall paintings. The surrounding village is the epitome of rural southwestern English charm. adults Β£4.10, children Β£2.50, concessions Β£3.70.
- π Trowbridge Museum, The Shires, Court Street, β +44 1225 751339, e-mail: c.lyall@trowbridge.gov.uk. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 10AM-4:30PM. Exhibits here focus mostly on Trowbridge's history as a major British textile town. This was also Issac Pitman's home town and there is an exhibit about his life and times. Free.
Do
Mini Golf Civic Centre
Buy
Eat
The town has few restaurants. The Assam Indian restaurant is good value and is bring-your-own.
The smart cafe La Dolce Vita manages to be sophisticated and homely too, good for families with well behaved children (and adults!).
Town Centre
- π CafΓ© Italiano, 5 Mill St, BA14 8BE, β +44 1225 760600. Italian. Small family owned restaurant/cafe. Great food! Good prices.
- π Tale of Spice, 51-52 Castle Street, BA14 8AU, β +44 1225 776591. Indian restaurant. Local chain
St. Stephens Place
- π Chiquito, Unit 4B, St. Stephens Place, BA14 8AH, β +44 1225 762666. Tex Mex chain restaurant.
- π Deanβs Diner, 2 St Stephens Leisure Park, St Stephens Place, BA14 8TQ, β +44 1225 777369, e-mail: trowbridge@deansdiner.co.uk. American themed diner. Small chain resturant
- π Frankie & Bennys, St. Stephens Place, BA14 8AH, β +44 1225 719404. American Italian themed chain resturant
- π Nandos, St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH, β +44 1225 767206. Afro-Portuguese chain restaurant specialising in spicy chicken
- π Prezzo, Unit 5, St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH, β +44 1225 754569. Italian chain restaurant, modern style
- π Valeroso Lounge, 3A St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH, β +44 1225 781103. Bar/Lounge/Restaurant chain
Drink
Plenty of local watering holes
- Rose & Crown.
- The Stallards.
Sleep
- Premier Inn Trowbridge, St Stephen's Place, β +44 871 527 9444.
- The Moonraker Hotel and Restaurant, Trowle common, β +44 1225 777393.
Connect
Go next
- Bath - one of England's most popular cities for visitors is just 10 miles to the west and easily reached by train, bus or car.
- Bradford on Avon - a lovely little town just a couple of miles to the west and on the way to Bath.
- Salisbury - with its magnificent cathedral and the ancient settle of Old Sarum is about 30 miles to the south.
- The world-famous standing stones at Stonehenge and Avebury are less than hour's driving to the southeast and east respectively.