The Visitor Information Centre

Highworth has its very own Museum housed in the Old Lloyd’s bank strong room, not something you find on every High Street!

Here Highworth Historical Society displays exhibits, information, timelines and pictures covering different aspects of Highworth's history.

Find out about the old Railway route linking Highworth and surrounding villages to the great Swindon Railway works, or maybe more about the offical ABBA fan club? Displays change regularly to highlight different eras from Highworths rich and varied history.

There is a digital visual display showing Highworth through the ages. Looking for your Family History? You can find information through the Historical Society’s website.

Visit the Highworth Historical Society Website for more information about the history of Highworth.

“ Highworth has a situation corresponding with its name. On every side you go uphill to it, and from it you see to a great distance all round and into many counties.” – William Cobbett. Rural Rides, September 1826.

The ancient hilltop town of Highworth, standing at 133 metres or 436 feet above sea level, has unrivalled views out over the Upper Thames valley and is the highest town in Wiltshire. Lying close to the borders of Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, it stands at the intersection of a minor Roman road rising at Seven Bridges, near Cricklade, and the salt road running from Droitwich to Salisbury. It is closely encircled by the ancient tithings of Eastrop and Westrop.

This strategic location seems to have been occupied almost continuously for 4,000 years and is mentioned in the Domesday Book at which time it numbered six households and a church.

What's in a Placename?

Highworth derives its name from the Old English wrðe (pron. worth) meaning ‘enclosure or homestead’. The epithet High was added at some point before 1300.

Eastrop and Westrop both derive from the Old English Þrop (pron. throp) meaning ‘hamlet or outlying farm’.

The Highworth Art & Craft Centre is based in the Visitor Information Centre.

Here you can find Art and Crafts created by the most talented Artists and Artisans from Highworth and the surrounding areas. It is the perfect place to find that unique piece for your home, a thoughtful gift or a treat just for you, all handmade with love and care by people with a true passion for what they do. There is stoneware from the local KJP Pottery, wooden items from Treadwell’s Turnings as well as Textiles, Mosaics, Ceramics, Prints, Jewellery and much, much more.

A small Gallery offers an opportunity for local Artists and Photographers to display their work in a permanent venue on Highworth’s historic High Street.

There are scheduled Workshops, where you can learn a new skill (or brush up an old one), and demonstrations. There are 'Meet the Maker' sessions were you can find out first hand what inspires and drives our talented artists and artisans, and talks on various topics.

Visit Highworth is delighted to offer specially devised guided walking tours for individuals and groups covering the fascinating and rich history of Highworth.

Town Tours can be arranged, subject to the availability of one of our guides (who are volunteers), on a day and at a time convenient to you. Please call or email to discuss your requirements.

• Cost: £5 per person, under 16yrs free when accompanied by an adult.
  Booking is essential as group numbers are limited.
• Duration: Tour length is approximately an hour and the route is flat.
• Call Visit Highworth during our opening hours to book or find out more.
  Tel: 01793 764440

The concept of a Visitor Centre to increase tourism to our town began as an idea many years ago. In 2018 the former Lloyds Bank building opposite the Market Square was up for grabs to lease, so a small team of dedicated community volunteers from Highworth Community Partnership Group started the process to get the project off the ground.