Calne Heritage Centre

Calne has a proud manufacturing history, and one of its most famous local names was the Horsebrook Iron Works, better known simply as Maundrell’s. Located at the junction of The Green and Horsebrook, where Edreds Court now stands next to Maundrell House, the foundry grew from a nineteenth century smithy into a thriving business that built everything from farm tools to bacon factory machinery for C&T Harris. Maundrell put the Progress Elevator on his stationery to highlight the machinery that defined his work. Courtesy of G. Carr. The Rolls Royce of Farm Elevators Copy of original image. Edited by author for clarity. The foundry’s defining creation came around 1900, when Edward Ward Maundrell perfected a design for a hay and straw elevator, an agricultural conveyor built to lift loose or baled crops to build ricks and fill storage lofts. Drawing on his earlier days making Progress bicycles in Calne (one of which is on display at Calne Heritage Centre), he branded these rugged mach...

We are pleased to announce that we have copies of The Mayors of Calne , written by our Vice Chair, Tim Havenith. This book follows fifty years of Calne’s civic life, beginning with the first mayor elected in 1836 under the Municipal Corporations Act and ending with the opening of the new Town Hall in 1886. It traces the people who shaped the borough through everyday decisions, public celebrations, moments of crisis, and the steady work of building a modern civic identity. It includes a full and detailed history of Calne Town Hall, from the long debates that led to its construction to the building of the tower and clock. The book also explores how justice was carried out in the Town Hall, including the work of the magistrates, the courtroom, and the holding cells, showing how law and order were handled in the centre of the town. The story reaches beyond Calne as well. The borough council wrote to Queen Victoria after the attempts on her life, responded to national events, and supported ...

New stock at Calne Heritage Centre   Celebrate the rich history of our town with the official Calne Heritage Centre commemorative mug! Featuring the iconic vintage artwork of Harris Bacon & Wiltshire Sausages, this high-quality ceramic mug is a tribute to Calne’s legendary "Pig City" roots. Whether you're a local history buff or just looking for the perfect gift, this mug blends local pride with classic design. Product Details Design: Features the "Harris Bacon" vintage pig illustration and the official Calne Heritage Centre logo. Quality: Durable white ceramic, perfect for your morning tea or coffee. Purpose: All proceeds go directly toward supporting the Heritage Centre and preserving our local history. Price: £8.00 each Where to Buy: Available now at the Calne Heritage Centre. Drop in during our opening hours to pick yours up and take a piece of Calne’s heritage home with you! Supporting our past, one brew at a time.

Calne Heritage Centre will close for the winter at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday 20th December 2025 and reopen at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday 4th March 2026. During the closed period visits can be arranged by appointment and the Centre will still be available to hire for meetings. We will also continue to deal with local history queries by phone, letter or email. If you wish to make use of any of these services, please ring Sue Boddington on 01380 828851 or email the Centre on calneheritage@gmail.com

Discover thoughtful gifts made with care: • 2026 Calendars • Local Books & Art Prints • Place Mats & Coasters • And More At Calne Heritage Centre we're open Wed-Sat, 10-4 and closing for the year on 20 December at 4pm.