Discover Calne

Calne lies on the old coaching route from Bristol to London, which runs through some of the most beautiful countryside in Wiltshire. It is a county blessed with a history that has been thousands of years in the making.

A Glimpse Into the Past
For a small town Calne packs in a lot of history. It’s story begins around AD 978, and covers Medieval England and the Industrial Revolution, right through to the present day. It’s a story of drovers’ trails and coach roads, the rise and fall of canal and rail travel, and woollen broadcloth. It is where the traditional English technique of producing ham and bacon, the Wiltshire Cure, was invented.

Calne has always been a town of discovery. Did you know that Joseph Priestley “discovered” oxygen here whilst working at nearby Bowood House? Shortly afterwards, Jan Ingenhousz built on the work of Priestly and “discovered” photosynthesis. 

Calne is a great place from which you can discover the timeless wonders of Wiltshire. It’s on the edge of the North Wessex Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a great example of Wiltshire’s timeless beauty. Nearby is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Avebury, yet another part of our pre-historic landscape which includes Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow.

A Glimpse Into the Future
Now it’s becoming even easier to discover Calne. VisitWiltshire is leading on developing the old coaching route as a new touring experience. It will be called the Great West Way and will be for curious travellers searching for the real England. 

Your Guide to Discovery
It’s never been easier to discover Calne’s thriving past than by visiting the unique Calne Heritage Quarter. This is the quaint area of Calne where you will find blue plaque and art trails amongst the beautiful, historic buildings and cobbled streets. 

There are 11 blue plaques to be found within Calne’s historic Heritage Centre which indicate some of the events that helped to shape Calne, and some of the interesting people who have lived in the town.

In addition, the art trail includes some symbolic sculptures which draw attention to Calne’s heritage. Two of these sculptures are from the local sculptor, Richard Cowdy. The first is the sheep bronzes that symbolise Calne as a centre for the wool industry. The second is the ‘Two Pigs’ which reflects Calne’s long-standing association with the Harris business which dominated the town for well over a hundred years until its factories were demolished in 1984/5. 

A Few People & Places

Dr. Joseph Priestley
One of the founding fathers of chemistry, Dr. Joseph Priestley (1733-1804) at the nearby estate of Bowood House, isolated oxygen and discovered its properties in 1774. 

Dr. Jan Ingen Housz
A Dutchman, Dr. Jan Ingen Housz (1730-1799) discovered photosynthesis in 1779. He died at Bowood and is buried in the crypt at St. Mary's church. 

St. Mary’s Church 
St. Mary’s Church dates from c. 1160-70, and Norman work survives in the nave and part of a doorway, later moved to the north porch door. 

Calne Heritage Centre
Situated in the heart of Calne’s historic Heritage Quarter, it tells the story of aspects of Calne’s history in a series of attractive wall panels. 

The Harris Family
In the 18th century Calne, the Harris family invented the traditional English process of curing bacon and ham which is now known as the Wiltshire Cure.

Bowood House & Gardens
The grade I listed Georgian house is home to the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne  with 100 acres of beautiful parkland, designed by Capability Brown. 

Atwell Wilson Motor Museum
The museum has an impressive collection of classic cars, as well as lorries, motorcycles, mopeds, push bikes, plus a large collection of motor memorabilia. 

Cherhill White Horse
Cut into the chalk in 1780, the Cherhill White Horse is a hill figure on the Cherhill Down, 3.5 miles east of Calne.

Avebury World Heritage Site
Avebury is a Neolithic henge monument containing three stone circles, around the village of Avebury. It contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world.

REME Museum
Located at MoD Lyneham, it preserves the heritage of the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) by providing a unique interactive visitor experience.