Museum launches new book telling the story of Westbury

A new historical book offering a captivating look at Westbury’s history from prehistoric times to the present day has been released by Westbury Museum. 

The book, A Westbury Timeline, traces the evolution of Westbury, beginning with its Jurassic origins. The story includes two pliosaurs—fearsome marine predators—discovered in local clay pits during the 1980s and 1990s, and evidence of early human activity dating back to the Neolithic period (4000–1800 BC).

There are details of Roman villa sites found in the area, the story of the Battle of Ethandun, fought in Edington near Westbury in 878, where Alfred the Great defeated the Danes—the first important step on the road to a united England; and what Westbury was like at the time of the Domesday Book in 1086.

The book also covers the outbreak of the plague in 1603–04 and of smallpox in 1767, Westbury during the Civil War, and the origin of the town’s famous White Horse.

The story is told of when the railway arrived in 1848, when the swimming baths opened in 1888, when the town opened its first hospital in 1897, and its cinema in 1920. It also includes news of when cricketing legend WG Grace played at Westbury, when Buffalo Bill came to town, and Westbury during the First and Second World Wars.

In more recent times, the book covers the opening of the cement works in 1961, the West Wilts Trading Estate in 1962, and the High Street in 1963.

Museum volunteers Liz Argent and Sally Hendry, who co-authored the book, explained the inspiration behind the project. “It started with our timeline posters on the stairs to the museum,” said Liz. “We expanded on that with more research and photos, and we’re thrilled with the result. We hope people will enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

Priced at £5, the book is available at the museum and will also be on sale at the town’s Christmas fair on Saturday. All profits support the museum’s work, which includes exciting plans for 2025, such as a return of the popular photography exhibition and a focus on Westbury during WWII.

“The museum is always looking for volunteers,” added Liz. “If you’d like to get involved or learn more, visit our stall at the fair or pop into the museum. We’d love to hear from you!”

The museum, located on the first floor of the town library, will close for a winter break on Friday 20th December, reopening in February.

Pictured: Liz Argent and Sally Hendry with the new A Westbury Timeline book