Books can be purchased directly from the WBR office at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham or you can email dorothy.treasure@wiltshire.gov.uk or tel 01249 705508 to place an order. There may be a small additional charge to cover p&p.
Civic Pride – The Public Buildings of Wiltshire Towns
by James Holden
£20.00. Introductory price £15 (plus £2.50 p&p) until Dec 25th 2024.
Hot off the press! This new book in the Wiltshire Buildings Record series on building types puts the spotlight on Wiltshire’s fascinating collection of public buildings. James Holden’s ‘Civic Pride – The Public Buildings of Wiltshire Towns’ covers new ground, being a study of the prominent but often unregarded civic buildings of the county. These historic buildings which grace our towns exhibit a wide range of styles and building materials. Speaking about the book, James said “Many of us are familiar with the county’s grand town halls, like the Guildhall in Salisbury, but who has come across the charming Carnegie library in Calne or the homely police station in Corsham or the Modernist splendours of the Euclid Street council offices in Swindon?” This book is generously illustrated and describes them all, with their history, why they look like they do, and why they should be seen as a source of pride. Published by Hobnob Press on behalf of WBR.
Wiltshire Nonconformist Chapels and Meeting Houses – a Guide and Gazetteer
by James Holden
£20.00.
Wiltshire is particularly lucky in the variety and quality of its chapels, which range from tiny country meeting houses of traditional gable-ended design to large town churches with Classical facades and space for 1,000 or more worshippers in their galleried interiors. This book documents them. Introductory chapters describe the development of nonconformity in the county and the way chapel design has evolved in the three centuries since the first were built. These are followed by a gazetteer describing each of the almost 500 chapels still standing with details of their appearance and history. With 250 photographs in addition to the authoritative text, this book provides the definitive guide to the history and design of these fascinating buildings. Published by Hobnob Press on behalf of WBR. Generously grant-aided by the Marc Fitch Fund. ISBN 978-1-914407-28-4
Wiltshire Gate Lodges – a Guide and Gazetteer
by James Holden
£8.00
Gate lodges are amongst the most attractive of all small buildings, full of architectural style to reflect the grand country houses whose entrances they guard. Not much studied, this subject is a serious omission from architectural history. This book fills the gap for Wiltshire, with a comprehensive study of the county’s 300 plus lodges. The lodges to the great estates are described in context of estate history; a tour of the county highlights many of the most interesting other lodges including those to cemeteries, and an insight is provided into the life of the gate lodge keeper. With this copiously illustrated book, the reader will be equipped not only to understand much more about their history and architecture but also to set out to explore these fascinating and often delightful buildings.
Wiltshire Almshouses and their Founders
by Sally M Thomson
£10.50
This is the first comprehensive study of almshouses in Wiltshire. Almshouses had their origins in medieval ‘hospitals’, leper colonies and Bede Houses. After the Reformation, provision for the poor, especially the elderly was provided by almshouses, built by private individuals. The book includes the histories and architecture of 77 known almshouses, illustrated with photos, maps and plans. The generous founders are described, illustrated by portraits and church memorials. Further details can be downloaded here.
The following books aim to examine single building types. The first four – by Pamela Slocombe – were compiled from material in the extensive archives of the WBR, now covering over 17,000 sites. The books are small, A5 sized, suitable to take with you, and are packed with information. They are fully illustrated. The books make readable guides to what is characteristic of the county and are intended for owners, local historians and other researchers. The introductory sections give some historical background and suggest maps, categories of documents and other sources which may assist in studying an individual building.
Wiltshire Farmhouses and Cottages 1500 to 1800
by Pamela M Slocombe
£6.00
This popular book covers the typical building materials, plans, features, fixtures and fittings which are to be found in buildings of this type in the county of Wiltshire.
Wiltshire Farm Buildings 1500 to 1900
by Pamela M Slocombe
£5.00
The traditional buildings of Wiltshire farms are illustrated included in this volume, including large threshing barns, stables, cowsheds, dairies, brewhouses, wagon sheds and pigsties. It covers their layout, building materials and fittings and shows how to date them by the changes which took place through the centuries.
Wiltshire Town Houses 1500 to 1900
by Pamela M Slocombe
£6.00
Wiltshire has many interesting towns – Salisbury, Marlborough, Devizes, Warminster and Bradford-on-Avon to name a few. In this book we see examples of the distinguished houses of the gentry, professional men and wealthy tradesmen and the more vernacular houses of associated craftsmen and workers. Period details which assist with dating are illustrated.
Medieval Houses of Wiltshire
by Pamela M Slocombe
£6.00
Medieval houses are not uncommon. They can be found throughout the county in communities large and small. Many of the early houses are timber-framed and still intact – with well over 100 of cruck construction. Sometimes they can only be identified by their roof structure as extensive changes have often been made at lower levels. The book also covers doorways, fireplaces, windows and many other features.
The next two books are directories compiled from information collected by various people. They cover all periods from the medieval to the late 20th century. It is evident that there were long periods when particular families were occupied in the building trades. Master masons and carpenters gradually gave way to architects as building firms increased in size. The second book gives additional entries for many people listed in the first book and adds new names. The WBR welcomes further news of work in the county by named architects or building craftsmen.
Architects and Building Craftsmen (with work in Wiltshire)
Edited by P M Slocombe
£3.00
Architects and Building Craftsmen (with work in Wiltshire) part two
Edited by P M Slocombe
£3.00
The Dovecotes and Pigeon Lofts of Wiltshire
by John and Pamela McCann
£5.00
This in-depth study of historic dovecotes describes and illustrates all the surviving Wiltshire examples. The county is exceptional in retaining also many pigeon lofts and nest-holes in houses and other buildings and typical examples are described. The introduction covers the history of pigeon-keeping and how dovecotes were designed and used.
Wiltshire Village Reading Rooms
by Ivor Slocombe
£8.00
This book is an exploration of an important social movement of the 19th century. The rooms were set up by the clergy and gentry to entertain working men and boys in a teetotal setting. By the early 20th century a reading room was to be found in most rural communities, often purpose-built. The many surviving examples are identified and illustrated.