Historic buildings have been opened up throughout Wiltshire for visitors to take part in what is England’s largest festival of history and culture – Heritage Open Days.
In Trowbridge, St James Church tower, the Town Hall and Parade House were among the buildings to open first on Saturday, August 12.
The Town Hall is a Grade II-listed Victorian building in Market Street, commissioned in 1887 and opened in 1889 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee
Local mill owner and Justice of the Peace Sir William Roger Brown funded the building for the benefit of residents of the town.
It served as the headquarters of local government and the then Trowbridge Urban District Council.
The building originally housed a library, court holding cells alongside a grand ballroom which hosted dances and major musical acts, including performances by Rod Stewart, the Who and The Small faces.
Following a public meeting the building underwent a major multimillion pound refurbishment under the future high streets fund.
The historic staircase and the Grand Hall attracted many visitors at the Heritage Open Day 2026.
Another building attracting more than 400 visitors was the Grade I-listed Parade House in Fore Street.
This building for most of the 20th century incorporated the headquarters of Ushers Wiltshire Brewery.
When Ushers left it was vacant for almost two years and plans were submitted to carve it up for bedsits.
That’s when residents Simon and Carey Tesler bought it to save it from being a house of multi occupancy, restoring the property to its former glory.
Bells rang out at St James Church on Saturday with David Parsons arranging Peals on Wheels bringing heritage visitors to the historic church.
The tower of St James and the 160ft spire is modelled on Salisbury Cathedral.
Unlike the cathedral it holds a ring of 12 bells housed on two levels in a metal frame beneath the clock behind the louvers.
St James peal of bells is the only 12 in Wiltshire ringing for services and occasions and importantly they act as a form of open reach for the church.
Heritage Open Days is England’s largest annual festival celebrating history, architecture, and culture.
Over 10-day event, historic buildings, monuments and cultural sites usually closed to the public or that charge admission open their doors for free.
The festival is organised by the National Trust, supported by Postcode Lottery players, and delivered by thousands of volunteers.
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