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  Past and Present |
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Past and Present |
      
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Mention Calne to most people and their first thought is of bacon, sausages and pork pies!
While other north Wiltshire towns were built on wool Calne was built on pork. Certainly up until the 18th Century Calne was famed for its twenty or more woollen mills, but as they fell into decline, bacon curing took over. Harris of Calne patented a process for bacon curing and before long were world renowned for their produce. The railway came to the town just to serve them. Now both the railway and Harris have gone. The gap in the centre of town where the factory once stood has closed up with the building of the new library and shop complex. The library had its opened on 3rd August 2001 but it was more than a year before the shops were filled. |
| Away from the modern shops, Calne has several fine pieces of architecture. The Green is a quiet corner of the town with some of the best, there are Georgian town houses, plus two schools and a couple of factories that have been converted in to houses. Look from The Green towards the church tower, follow the road round past small stone built cottages and as you reach the A4 before you are a couple of buildings whose proportions give some idea of Calne's former status as a market town. |  |
The town hall is now mostly used for recreational purposes and functions while business proper is carried on just across the road in Bank House, where you will also find Calne's tourist information outlet. |
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There is plenty to see and do in the area, the World Heritage Site of Avebury, The Ridgeway the Marlborough Downs and Bowood House are only minutes away. Drive if you must, but better to hire a bike or pull on your walking shoes. If you're into Golf, there are several Clubs around the town.
 yourguide@zetnet.co.uk |
Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in yourguide to Calne is correct, neither the guide nor its contributors can be responsible for any loss due to errors or omissions.