Royal Wootton Bassett

About

Royal Wootton Bassett in the north of Wiltshire was a Saxon holding in 681 'Wodeton', eventually passing to Lord of the Manor Alan Bassett in 1200 who was granted the right to hold weekly markets by Henry III.

The Town Mayor in 1408 was John Wollmonger at the height of the successful wool trade and hiring fairs and cattle markets continued to be held until 1939.

Katherine Parr one of Henry VIII's wives family home was Vastern Manor.

This Wiltshire town offers a weekly market, monthly farmers market, an abundance of places to eat and drink and an interesting variety of shops.

Jubilee Lake is a natural habitat for a variety of birds, butterflies, ancient trees and wild flowers providing a peaceful setting for anglers and walkers. At Templars Firs a stretch of the former Wilts and Berks Canal hosts a biennial Trail Boat event and the area is rich in flora and fauna. Nearby at Broad Town is Wiltshire's most northerly White Horse figure carved in the chalk hillside in 1863.

For many years Royal Wootton Bassett had close links with the nearby Royal Air Force base at Lyneham, and in October 2011 the town was granted the "Royal" prefix in recognition of the role the town and its people played in the repatriation of UK service men and women killed as a result of war.

A great way to explore the area is to follow the Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade villages and town trail.