Royal Wootton Bassett is a small market town in Wiltshire, England situated only 4 miles away from Swindon. The town could trace its history to the Saxon age to a Saxon settlement called “Wodeton”. In the Domesday Book, however, it shows that Wodeton is a manor with a Norman lord which has passed on to Alan Bassett in 1200AD.
It was Bassett who obtained permission to hold a market every week, a market that opens every Wednesday at present. His name was added to the name of the town because of his effort to expand the town. The prefix “Royal” was granted to the town to acknowledge the role played by the town and its people to the repatriation of the men and women who died in the war.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Royal Wootton Bassett
The busy High Street of the town still contains structures from the 15th and 16th centuries that have been converted to adapt to the needs of modern day needs. The town’s most well-known landmark, the old Town Hall which is now a museum, dates back to the 17th century. Royal Wootton Bassett is considered a commercial centre within itself. It has a farmers market every month, a weekly market, and a profusion of places to eat and drink. The town also has an impressive variety of shops which includes big brands such as Peacocks and a healthy mix of independent store.
Things to See and Do in Royal Wootton Bassett
A walking tour around Royal Wootton Bassett which starts in front of the Town Council building featuring the delightful mix of the old and the new in its architecture and buildings is a walk through time. Jubilee Lake, on the other hand, provides a tranquil atmosphere for walkers and anglers with its variety of wildflowers, age-old trees, butterflies and birds.