Welcome to Trowbridge

Trowbridge is located on the River Biss, in the county of Wiltshire, approximately 104 miles west of London and 12 miles south-east of Bath.

The town has a population of around 31,200. Administratively it is within the local government district of West Wiltshire which covers an area of approximately 517 sq kms and which has a population of around 122,000.

This one time centre of the weaving trade is now the administrative centre for the county. There are some notable historic buildings, including the partly 14th-century Church of St.James, as well as some fine 18th-century stone houses. The town, which is renowned as the birthplace of the shorthand inventor Sir Isaac Pitman, is a good base for visitors touring the Cotswolds and the Wiltshire Downs.

The town's history dates from the 10th  century, although there is evidence that the land on which the town stands was farmed as far back as 3,000 years ago. The town received a charter in 1200, giving it the right to hold a market. By the 14th century Trowbridge was a centre of the wool industry; there was also a leather tanning industry. The wool industry continued until the 19th century, when the town was  described as 'the Manchester of the West', and there was also a brewing industry.

Historically, the town's economy was based upon the wool industry, tanning and brewing. Today,Trowbridge's industries include light engineering, food processing, call centres and bedding. It is also home to both Wiltshire County Council and West Wiltshire District Council offices, the biggest employers in the town.

The name Trowbridge derives from 'Tree Bridge' and refers to the original bridge across the River Biss.