Wiltshire’s 5 Largest Towns

A Profile of Wiltshire’s Five Largest Settlements

© Stuart Mitchell

Swindon

• Population: 209,000 (2011)

• Location: North East Wiltshire, M4 corridor

• Origins: Saxon (Swindon Old Town)

• Governance: Borough of Swindon Unitary Authority

• Etymology: Saxon swine (pig) + dun (hill)

• Demonym: Swindonian

• Attractions: – National Monuments Record Centre

– Steam (Great Western Railway) Museum

– Outlet Village in the Old Railway Engine Works

Salisbury (New Sarum)

• Population: 41,500 (2011)• Location: South East Wiltshire, confluence of 5 rivers south of

Salisbury Plain• Origins: Neolithic Hill Fort (Old Sarum)• Governance: Wiltshire Unitary Authority• Etymology: Corruption of possibly Celtic sorbio (dry) and/or Saxon

searu (trick) + dun (hill fort), changed to Saxon borough• Demonym: Sarumite• Attractions:

– Salisbury Cathedral & Spire– Stonehenge World Heritage Site– Salisbury International Arts Festival

Chippenham

• Population: 34,000 (2011)• Location: North West Wiltshire, on the Bristol Avon• Origins: Roman (or earlier)/Saxon (town)• Governance: Wiltshire Unitary Authority• Etymology: Cippa (a name) or Saxon ceap (market) +

hamm (settlement)• Demonym: Chippenhamites• Attractions:

– Castle Combe village nearby– Lacock Abbey & village nearby– Surrounding countryside – woodland, Marlborough

Downs, Cotswolds, Salisbury Plain

Trowbridge

• Population: 32,500 (2011)• Location: West Wiltshire, on the Kennet & Avon Canal• Origins: Bronze Age• Governance: Wiltshire Unitary Authority• Etymology: Old English treow (tree) + brycg (bridge) or

Trowle (a nearby village) + bridge• Demonym: Trowbridgians• Attractions:

– Trowbridge Museum – Trowbridge Village Pump Festival– Textile Heritage including The Handle House

Melksham

• Population: 22,000 (2011)• Location: West Wiltshire, on the Bristol Avon• Origins: Saxon Royal Estate (earliest known)• Governance: Wiltshire Unitary Authority• Etymology: Old English meoloc (milk) + ham

(settlement)• Demonym: Melkshamites• Attractions:

– Regency buildings including The Roundhouse– Party in the Park in July– The Spa – Regency housing, springs, pump rooms & baths

Useful Links

• Visit Wiltshire

• Salisbury Cathedral

• Stonehenge Guide

• Wiltshire Map

• Wiltshire Tourist Guide

• Solicitors Melksham

• Trowbridge Village Pump Festival

• Wiltshire Council