Our printed historic trails allow you to take in the town’s past at your own pace: choose the trail that best suits your interest.
Industrial Trail – Trowbridge has been an industrial town since the 14th century with its chief industry being the manufacture of high-quality woollen cloth. The mills produced textiles for Allied uniforms during World War One, and in the ‘Swinging Sixties’ for the designer, Mary Quant. This trail is arranged as a fairly short walk through the town, with a few optional diversions, allowing you to see the industrial buildings as they are today while providing a wealth of information. The trail is also available in French and German.
Public Art Trail – This takes you around the town exploring the public art displayed at various venues including in the Town Hall (recognised to be a piece of art in itself!) hidden treasures in and outside of St. James’ Church, interesting frescoes on the fascias of many of the town’s public buildings, and much more.
Woollen Cloth Trail – This trail explores the rich heritage of the town’s woollen industry, pointing out mill buildings and houses that belonged to wealthy clothiers, as well as warehouses and the iconic Handle House. You’re bound to be both surprised and fascinated at how some of the more simple buildings and dwellings played their part in Trowbridge becoming known as ‘The Manchester Of The West’.
Pevsner’s Palaces – A trail highlighting the wealth of Georgian architecture and other buildings to be found around Trowbridge, some of which are mentioned in The Buildings of England, a massive work by the renowned 20th-century architectural expert, Sir Nikolaus Pevsner. He compared the building in Fore Street now occupied by Lloyds Bank to the neo-classical structures of Genoa (be sure to admire the original ceiling in this building, with its ornate coving and rose).
Printed copies of the trails are available for free from the Information Centre.
Trowbridge Museum also offers guided walking tours around the town. Tours are booked in advance and are very popular, so be sure to book early. We can also cater for larger parties by prior arrangement – ask us for details. Contact the museum for dates by clicking here, or keep an eye on their website by clicking here.
