A friendly way to explore the local area’s past together – no lectures, no stuffy rooms, just walking, talking, pub chats, and stories you won’t find in the guidebooks.
• Up to four sessions a month (walks repeated, one weekday, one weekend), with town walks and pub/cafe evenings.
• Choose a membership, a flexi pass, or just drop in.
• Fascinating tales, good company, and plenty of surprises.
• Extensive information and/or notes received after each meeting
A friendly regular meet-up for curious locals who love stories from the past, hidden landmarks, and great company.
Next meetings
Tuesday 15 September 2026, 7pm
Wine Monkey (Borough Parade), Chippenham
Who built Chippenham?
Together, we’ll explore how the town came together via the people that built and designed our familiar streets, interesting houses and public buildings of the past couple of centuries.
Who were Downing and Rudman, and Frank Field?
Which buildings are dated and why?
Where did the architects and designers come from?
Who planned our public buildings?
This friendly, relaxed and interactive club session will take in builders, contractors, architects, planning decisions and more, and will look at who ultimately decided the town's aesthetic and feel as it grew. Join us to explore the topic together.
£10pp members & first time attenders (no obligation to continue attending).
£14 drop-in (if you've been before & decided not to become a member)
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
Tuesday 29 September 2026, 7pm
Wine Monkey (Borough Parade), Chippenham
Destroyed Chippenham (part 2)
In Part One of Destroyed Chippenham, we took a deep dive into two prominent streets in Chippenham - Timber Street and River Street - where very few original buildings survive.
Part Two will pick up on the same theme - investigating buildings, houses and streets that used to be familiar in the town and have now disappeared. We'll explore what we remember and what's been obliterated from the town landscape, via well-known buildings and much missed streets.
£10pp members & first time attenders (no obligation to continue attending).
£14 drop-in (if you've been before & decided not to become a member)
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
Forthcoming meetings
Tuesday 27 October 2026, 7pm, Wine Monkey - Historical Murder Club #2
Tuesday 10 November 2026, 7pm, Wine Monkey - Was Chippenham a non-conformist hot spot?
Tuesday 24 November 2026, 7pm, Wine Monkey - What's the deal with the Wilts & Berks canal?
Tuesday 8 December 2026, 7pm, Wine Monkey - How did the railway change Chippenham?
Past topics include:
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Are there secret tunnels under Chippenham?
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Just who were the Awdrys anyway?
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Why did Chippenham have two riots?
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Chippenham myths and legends
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How much of Chippenham did John Provis build?
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What was life like at the steam laundry?
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Did women's suffrage reach Chippenham?
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Where are Chippenham's lost pubs?
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The many faces of the Grammar School
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What stories does Greenways have to tell?
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What was made in Chippenham?
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Chippenham's Greatest Hits
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Who lived at Rowden Hill House?
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What's the deal with Chippenham Clift?
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Historical Murder Club
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Are there tales from the workhouse?
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What businesses were there on Factory Lane?
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Who were Chippenham's greatest MPs?
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Destroyed Chippenham (Part 1)
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Educating Chippenham
Prices
Taster meeting - £10pp (no obligation to continue attending).
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
1 meeting per month (walk or cafe) member - £10pp per month
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
2 meetings per month (walk or cafe) member - £20pp per month
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
3 meetings per month member - £30pp per month
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
Flexi pass member (six meetings of your choice, 6-month expiry) - £60pp
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
Drop-in meeting - £14pp (for previous attenders who have chosen not to become a member).
Booking essential.
Contact Lucy Whitfield to book your spot.
Members will also receive subject-themed materials after each meeting has concluded. It is possible to just receive the materials and not attend in person - please ask.
Lucy will provide payment information when booking is made.
It is also possible to pay in cash in person, on the day.
Accessibility
Walks will always go at the pace of the slowest attender. Wheelchairs and other mobility aids welcome.
Lucy is also happy to use assisted hearing devices, large and dyslexia-friendly fonts, and make other adaptions for inclusivity.
Going forward, it is hoped to offer online membership for those unable to attend in person - please stay tuned.