www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Facilities at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre
When you arrive at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, you will be greeted by one of our receptionists at the reception desk shown below. They will help with registering you as a user and introduce you to our facilities.
Access for disabled visitors
The Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre is fully accessible for visitors in wheelchairs and there is a loop system for visitors with hearing difficulties. Please contact us if you would like more information about access.
Accommodation
For details of accommodation near Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre please contact the Chippenham Tourist Information Centre.
Appointments to use archives
We recommend that you contact the archive service, if you know in advance when you would like to visit.
Car parking
There is a large car park, with 60 free car parking spaces, adjacent to the History Centre. Should this become full, there are public pay and display car parks at the Olympiad leisure centre, or at the railway station, both about 550 metres away, in Cocklebury Road.
Copying books and documents
Most records can be copied by one means or another. We will advise on what may be copied, the most suitable method and the cost. You are welcome to take photographs with your own camera, provided you ask permission first and pay a standard fee.
If you wish to publish documents or make lengthy quotations you should first consult a member of staff.
Education and Meeting Room
There is an education and meeting room available for hire on the ground floor of Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
Food and drink
On the ground floor near the main entrance there is a refreshment area with vending machines containing a limited range of chilled snacks and drinks. There are picnic benches outside the front entrance for use when the weather permits. To protect the archives, no eating or drinking is allowed within the search rooms.
You are welcome to eat your own food in the refreshment area, or you may wish to visit the Wiltshire College restaurant known as The Tynings or the North Wiltshire District Council restaurant, which are both open to the public (although booking in advance is advisable). They are also both within walking distance of the History Centre. Alternatively, you may wish to go into the town centre to visit one of the many restaurants and eating places there. Further information is available from the Tourist Information Centre in Chippenham.
Lockers
Secure lockers are available near reception for coats, bags and personal belongings.
Reader's tickets
If you wish to visit the archives and local studies services at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, on a repeated basis, you will need to register with us. Please bring with you a form of identity giving name and address and we will add you to our user database and issue you with a user ticket.
The kinds of identity which we will accept are as follows:
- County Archive Research Network card
- allowance book
- recent bank statement
- driving licence
- recent official bill or invoice
- passport (for overseas visitors)
- Wiltshire Library card
Temporary tickets can be issued for one-off visits.
Smoking
In common with other public properties please note that no smoking is permitted anywhere on the site of Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, including the car park.
Toilets
Located on the ground floor, adjacent to the public entrance.
