Wiltshire Through the Ages

Historical highlights from the region

1227

Salisbury receives its city charter under the name ‘New Sarum’. Sailsbury doesn’t become its official name until 2009.

1258

The main body of the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (better known today as Salisbury Cathedral) is finished.

1632

Architect Christopher Wren is born in East Knoyle.

1666

Pioneering archaeologist John Aubrey records the first detailed plan of the prehistoric monument Stonehenge.

1841

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s Box Tunnel opens between Bath and Chippenham.

1843

The Great Western Railway opens a works at Swindon.

1918

Sir Cecil Chubb gifts Stonehenge to the nation.

1938

Archaeologists discover a male skeleton underneath a toppled stone at Avebury. Objects found with the man suggest that he worked as a barbersurgeon in the 14th century.

1943

The village of Imber (above) is evacuated to allow training for Operation Overlord.