Trowbridge

Modern-day Trowbridge is a rather uninspiring mid-sized English town, but one with a surprisingly rich history.
The Kennett and Avon canal runs to the north of Trowbridge and played a large part in the development of the town as it allowed coal to be transported from the Somerset Coalfield. The town was an also a major British centre in the textile industry in south west England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and was even described in 1820 as "The Manchester of the West". The textile industry is now mostly all long gone, but evidence remains by way of buildings and a decent little local museum.

By car

From M4
Coming from the east, travelling west get off at junction 17 and take the A350 south. At Semington take the A361 west

By train

Trowbridge station is on the Wessex Main Line which runs from Bristol to Southampton.

• Farleigh Hungerford Castle

  phone: +44 1225 754026
  address: Farleigh Hungerford village, nr Trowbridge, BA2 7RS
  The remains of this very grand castle are in the Frome valley just 3 miles out of Trowbridge. The castle dates from the 14th century and was occupied by the Hungerford family for 300 years. It contains some rare medieval wall paintings. The surrounding village is the epitome of rural southwestern English charm.

• Trowbridge Museum

  phone: +44 1225 751339
  address: The Shires, Court Street
  Exhibits here focus mostly on Trowbridge's history as a major British textile town. This was also Issac Pitman's home town and there is an exhibit about his life and times.

Mini Golf
Civic Centre

The town has few restaurants. The Assam Indian restaurant is good value and is bring-your-own.
The smart cafe La Dolce Vita manages to be sophisticated and homely too, good for families with well behaved children (and adults!).

Town Centre

• Café Italiano

  phone: +44 1225 760600
  address: 5 Mill St, BA14 8BE
  Italian. Small family owned restaurant/cafe. Great food! Good prices.

• Tale of Spice

  phone: +44 1225 776591
  address: 51-52 Castle Street, BA14 8AU
  Indian restaurant. Local chain

St. Stephens Place

• Chiquito

  phone: +44 1225 762666
  address: Unit 4B, St. Stephens Place, BA14 8AH
  Tex Mex chain restaurant.

• Dean’s Diner

  phone: +44 1225 777369
  address: 2 St Stephens Leisure Park, St Stephens Place, BA14 8TQ
  American themed diner. Small chain resturant

• Frankie & Bennys

  phone: +44 1225 719404
  address: St. Stephens Place, BA14 8AH
  American Italian themed chain resturant

• Nandos

  phone: +44 1225 767206
  address: St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH
  Afro-Portuguese chain restaurant specialising in spicy chicken

• Prezzo

  phone: +44 1225 754569
  address: Unit 5, St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH
  Italian chain restaurant, modern style

• Valeroso Lounge

  phone: +44 1225 781103
  address: 3A St Stephens Place, BA14 8AH
  Bar/Lounge/Restaurant chain

Plenty of local watering holes

• Rose & Crown

• The Stallards

• Premier Inn Trowbridge

  phone: +44 871 527 9444
  address: St Stephen's Place

• The Moonraker Hotel and Restaurant

  phone: +44 1225 777393
  address: Trowle common

• Bath - one of England's most popular cities for visitors is just 10 miles to the west and easily reached by train, bus or car.
• Bradford on Avon - a lovely little town just a couple of miles to the west and on the way to Bath.
• Salisbury - with its magnificent cathedral and the ancient settle of Old Sarum is about 30 miles to the south.
• The world-famous standing stones at Stonehenge and Avebury are less than hour's driving to the southeast and east respectively.