The first reference to "Wodeton" was in the year 681, when it was a Saxon settlement in a clearing in a wood. "Wodeton" turned to "Wootton" which it remained until Alan Bassett, a Norman who became Lord of the Manor in about 1200, added his own name. The town is mentioned in the Domesday Book, and has held a weekly market since the year 1219. As far as we know, it took a couple of hundred more years before Wootton Bassett elected it's first Mayor, John Wollmonger, who also ran the market and acted as chief magistrate and coroner. It was around this time that the town also sent two MPs to parliament, and later acquired the infamy of being known as a 'Rotten Borough' for its dubious electoral practices. Henry VIII's last wife, Katherine Parr, owned Vastern Manor in Wootton Bassett, where he had allegedly kept a mistress. It was Henry who instructed the town to record its births, deaths and marriages (you have to wonder why!) and the parish church, St Bartholomew's and All Saints, has records dating back to 1594. The town's curious Town Hall, which is an upper storey supported on 15 pillars, was built at the end of the 17th century, a gift from the Hyde family (Earls of Clarendon). The first Earl of Clarendon, Edward Hyde, was MP for Wootton Bassett. He went on to be adviser to both Charles I and Charles II and was instrumental in the restoration of the monarchy. The Earl's daughter, Anne, married the king's brother and heir, James Duke of York, and was mother to both Queen Mary and Queen Anne.
Accountant
David Merritt & Associates Ltd
Care Home
Dentist
Doctor
New Port Surgery
Tinkers Surgery
Golf Club
Inn
Market
Performing Arts
Wootton Bassett School of Dance
Pub and Bar
Beaufort Arms
Borough Arms
Curriers Arms
Five Bells
Town Local
Waggon & Horses
Waggon & Horses
Woodshaw Inn
Restaurant
Chillies CuisineCurriers Arms
Ganges Indian Cuisine
Waggon & Horses
Wiltshire Hotel
Woodshaw Inn
School
Noremarsh Junior School
Wootton Bassett Infant School
Solicitor
Awdry Bailey & Douglas
Bevirs Solicitors
Taxi
Vet
Sports Clubs
Wootton Bassett RUFC (Rugby Union)
Shops
Places to Stay near Wootton Bassett
Marsh Farm Hotel (0.52 miles)
This delightful 50 bedroom, grade II listed, country farm house hotel is conveniently located just 2 miles from junction 16 of the M4 Motorway and 3 miles west of Swindon. Standing in 2 acres of grounds ... More | visit website
The Wiltshire (1.14 miles)
School House Hotel (1.27 miles)
Formerly a Victorian school, this Grade II listed hotel is close to Swindon, minutes from the M4 (J16), yet set in the Wiltshire countryside on the borders of the Cotswolds.
Business travellers will welcome all the ... More | visit website
Express by Holiday Inn Swindon West (2.03 miles)
Boasting a convenient location to the west of the city, just off junction 16 of the M4, this newly refurbished hotel is ideally placed for Swindon’s business parks and main industrial areas. In addition to its ... More | visit website
Lydiard House (2.31 miles)
Lydiard House Conference Centre set within an elegant grade 1 listed mansion house, overlooking 260 acres of parkland.Situated on the outskirts of West Swindon and very close to junction 16/M4, this beautiful house provides a ... More | visit website
Pear Tree at Purton (2.76 miles)
Formerly the Vicarage, this elegant Cotswold stone hotel is set in seven acres on the outskirts of the Saxon village of Purton which nestles in the Vale of the White Horse between the Cotswolds and ... More | visit website
Ibis Swindon (2.86 miles)
De Vere Swindon (2.97 miles)
Campanile Swindon (3.58 miles)
Campanile Swindon is ideally located in a quiet business park close to the centre of Swindon. It is well situated for the business traveller to Swindon being just 5 minutes from junction 16 of the ... More | visit website
Hilton Swindon (3.70 miles)
The Hilton Swindon is conveniently located, directly off junction 16 of the M4 and can easily be reached from the M5 and M6. The hotel has modern meeting facilities located on a dedicated floor with ... More | visit website
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