Trowbridge, Wiltshire's county town, began life as a settlement on a ridge of stony subsoil by the river Biss. Its growth to urban status started with the building of a castle early in the 12th century.

The town was well developed when the wool trade took off, and shared in the general wealth associated with weaving mills. When the wool trade died out industry was replaced by a factory making steam engines, some breweries and a bed making firm.

Trowbridge has been the county town since 1893. To visitors this may seem a little strange, with Salisbury being the cathedral town, Swindon being the largest, and Devizes being more central but the reason for this is due to its accessibility. Because of the Salisbury plain, all the main railway lines ran east to west in the south of the county, hence Trowbridge was the more accessible as it could be reached by rail.

The Trowbridge Musuem is a popular tourist attraction and has many exhibitions about the town's past, and the history of other towns in the area. It is a great place to learn about local events in a fun and interesting way. The museum is located in Salters Mill, the last woollen mill to close in the town in 1982.

Trowbridge boasts a busy and thriving shopping centre, which is one of the best for its size in the county but as times and needs change there are now plans to redevelop certain areas of the town and introduce more big-name stores and leisure facilities.

Trowbridge is home to the well-known Knees department store, which was established in 1879, the company also has another shop in Malmesbury. There is a local saying: "if you can't get it anywhere else, try Knees they're bound to have it" as the shop seems to stock almost anything.

Trowbridge has has an annual music festival, the Trowbridge Pump Festival which takes place at Stowford Manor Farm, which is about two miles outside the town. The festival features internationally known folk and roots acts as well as many other bands and celebrates its 32nd year in 2005.