Visitor Guide 2019

A RICH
Industrial Heritage
> Caen Hill Locks, Kennet & Avon Canal
In 1840 Isambard Kingdom Brunel chose to site the
factory for his Great Western Railway in Swindon.
Today, the Grade II listed buildings of the former
railway works make a fitting home for STEAM
Museum. Here you can step back in time, try out the
interactive exhibits, and discover the story of the men
and women who built and operated this iconic line.
For the chance to ride aboard a vintage steam train –
or, even better, learn to drive one – head to Swindon &
Cricklade Railway.
Waterways, too, were a vital means of travel in years gone by. For
much of its 87-mile course, the beautifully restored Kennet & Avon
Canal runs through Wiltshire. During the Industrial Revolution it
was a key means of transport for goods and materials; today it
makes a peaceful and unhurried way to enjoy the county’s timeless
scenery. Colourful narrowboats are a traditional way to travel.
But you can also walk or cycle along the towpath. Try your hand
at paddleboarding. Or take to the water in a canoe. In the course
of your journey along and around the canal you will come across
some amazing examples of industrial archaeology. Crofton Beam
Engines, just outside Marlborough, for example, still capable of
performing their original job, even at 200 years old. Nearby Wilton
Windmill, the only working windmill in Wessex, where you can buy a
bag of Wiltshire flour to take home. Or the flight of 29 locks at Caen
Hill on the edge of Devizes – an astonishing feat of engineering. For
further inspiration, view our Kennet & Avon Canal film here:
visitwiltshire.co.uk/videos
Many Wiltshire towns owe their modern day prosperity to the
production of woollen broadcloth in centuries past. With the
exception of Wilton Carpets the textile industry is long gone.
22 #timeforwiltshire