Corsham

{{Short description|Town in Wiltshire, England}} {{Unreliable sources|date=December 2022}} {{Use British English|date=June 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox UK place |country = England |static_image_name= Corsham.JPG |static_image_caption= Town Hall and Post Office at the High street |coordinates = {{coord|51.434|-2.185|type:city(15000)_region:GB|display=inline,title}} |official_name= Corsham |population = 13,369 |population_ref= (2021 census)<ref name="bua2011">{{cite web |title=Corsham |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/admin/wiltshire/E04012688__corsham/ |website=City population |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> |civil_parish= Corsham <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corsham.gov.uk/|title=About us|publisher=Corsham Town Council|access-date=11 September 2021}}</ref> |unitary_england = [[Wiltshire (district)|Wiltshire]] |lieutenancy_england = [[Wiltshire]] |region= South West England |constituency_westminster= [[Chippenham (UK Parliament constituency)|Chippenham]] |post_town= Corsham |postcode_district = SN13 |postcode_area= SN |dial_code= 01249 |dial_code1= 01225 |os_grid_reference= ST873706 |website= {{Official URL}} }}

'''Corsham''' is a historic market town and [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in west [[Wiltshire]], England.<ref>{{Cite news|first1=Cherry |last1=Maslen |title=Living in Corsham: the unspoilt Poldark location is a period delight|language=en|date= 2019-03-03 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/living-in-corsham-the-unspoilt-poldark-location-is-a-period-delight-nqd03hpq3|newspaper=The Sunday Times |access-date=2021-04-23 }}</ref> It is at the southwestern edge of the [[Cotswolds]], just off the [[A4 road (England)|A4]] national route. It is {{convert|28|mi|km|0}} southwest of Swindon, {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} east of Bristol, {{convert|8|mi|km|0}} north-east of [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]], and {{convert|4|mi|km|0}} southwest of [[Chippenham]].

Historically, Corsham was a centre for agriculture and later, the [[wool]] industry, and remains a focus for quarrying [[Bath Stone]]. It has several notable historic buildings, including the [[stately home]] of [[Corsham Court]]. During the [[Second World War]] and the [[Cold War]], it became a major administrative and manufacturing centre for the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]], with numerous establishments both above ground and in disused quarry and mine tunnels.<ref name="cchist">{{cite web|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Community/Index/71|title=Corsham|website=Wiltshire Community History|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=22 August 2019}}</ref>

The parish includes the villages of [[Gastard]] and Neston, which is at the gates of the [[Neston Park]] estate.

==History== Corsham appears to derive its name from ''Cosa's hām'', "ham" being Old English for homestead, or village. The town is referred in the [[Domesday Book]] as ''Cosseham''.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|ST8670|corsham|Corsham}}</ref> The letter 'R' appears to have entered the name later under [[Normans|Norman]] influence (possibly caused by the recording of local pronunciation), when the town is reported to have been in the possession of the [[Earl of Cornwall]].<ref name=Longstaff>{{cite book | last = Longstaff | first = John G. | title = Notes of Wiltshire Names, Vol. 1 – Place names | year = 1911 | publisher = Library Press | location = [[Bradford on Avon]] }}</ref> The [[Lyons family]] held vast lands in Corsham from the time of the [[Norman Conquest]] in [[1066]] until at least the [[16th century]]. [[Ingelram de Lyons, Lord of Lyons|Ingelram de Lyons]], a Norman nobleman and companion of [[William the Conqueror]], was granted these estates by William as part of the post-Conquest redistribution of land.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}}

Corsham is recorded as ''Cosham'' as late as 1611 (on [[John Speed]]'s map of [[Wiltshire]]). During the [[Anglo-Saxon|Saxon]] era, the Corsham area belonged to the King, and had a large forest, which was later cleared to make way for further agricultural expansion.

There is evidence that the town had been known as "Corsham Regis" due to its reputed association with [[Anglo-Saxon]] [[Ethelred of Wessex]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/place_page.jsp?p_id=11704|title=History of Corsham in North Wiltshire - Map and description|website=www.visionofbritain.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Ramsay | first = James | title = The Foundations of England or, Twelve Centuries of British History | url = https://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=100052033 | year = 1898 | publisher = Swan Sonnenschein & Co. | page = 375 }}</ref> and the name remains as that of a primary school.

One of the towns that prospered greatly from [[Wiltshire]]'s [[wool]] trade in medieval times, it maintained its prosperity after the decline of the trade through the quarrying of [[Bath stone]], with [[underground mining (soft rock)|underground mining]] works extending to the south and west of Corsham. The main [[turnpike trust|turnpike]] road (now the A4) from London to [[Bristol]] passed through the town.<ref name="cchist" />

Numbers 94 to 112 of the High Street are Grade II* [[listed buildings]] known as the "Flemish Weavers Houses". However, there is little cogent evidence to support that name and it appears more likely to derive from a handful of Dutch workers who arrived in the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |website=Wiltshire Community History |title=Question: Flemish weavers |url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Question/Details/21 |publisher=Wiltshire Council |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref> The Grove, opposite the High Street, is a typical example of classic Georgian architecture, as is The Ivy in Priory Street. There are more than 60 listed buildings in the High Street.

==Features== [[File:CorshamPeacock.jpg|thumb|A peacock makes his way along Church Street]] Corsham's small town centre includes the historic High Street and the Martingate Centre, a late 20th-century retail development.

The stately home of [[Corsham Court]] can also be found in the town centre. Standing on a former [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon]] [[Royal Manor]], it is based on an Elizabethan manor home from 1582. Since 1745, it has been part of the [[Baron Methuen|Methuen]] estate. The house has an extensive collection of Old Masters, rooms furnished by [[Robert Adam]] and [[Thomas Chippendale]], and parks landscaped by [[Capability Brown]] and [[Humphry Repton]]. The house is open to the public all year round, excluding December, and is famed locally for its [[peafowl|peacocks]], which also wander about the streets.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.corshamtown.co.uk/index.html | title = Corsham Net – Welcome | date = 6 April 2007 | access-date = 14 July 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070406092426/http://www.corshamtown.co.uk/index.html |archive-date = 6 April 2007}}</ref>

[[Edward Hungerford (died 1648)|Sir Edward Hungerford]], the owner of Corsham Court in the mid-seventeenth century, was the commander of the Parliamentarian [[New Model Army]] in Wiltshire, and his wife, Lady Margaret Hungerford, built what came to be known as the [[Hungerford Almshouses]] in the centre of town.

==Community== The Pound is an arts venue and community hub for north Wiltshire, run by the Pound Arts Trust and supported by [[Arts Council England]], Wiltshire Council, South Gloucestershire Council and Corsham Town Council. Their Rural Touring Scheme take performances to villages in Wiltshire and South Gloucestershire.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Pound Arts Trust Ltd: Annual Report 2013/14|url=http://www.poundarts.org.uk/documents/files/Pound%20Arts%20Annual%20Report.compressed.pdf|access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref>

Pound Arts also organises two annual festivals: the Blue Sky Festival in June, for various art forms including music and comedy;<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hicks|first1=Amber|title=Corsham hosting Blue Sky Festival|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/13216259.Corsham_hosting_Blue_Sky_Festival/|website=Gazette and Herald|access-date=28 June 2016|date=1 June 2015}}</ref> and the Magic and Mayhem Festival in November, featuring magic, burlesque, music hall and other decadent arts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Burlesque dancer Eliza DeLite on way to Corsham's Magic & Mayhem Festival|url=http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/interview-video-burlesque-dancer-eliza-delite-way/story-28206207-detail/story.html|website=Bath Chronicle|access-date=28 June 2016|date=19 November 2015}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Parish==

===Gastard=== The village of [[Gastard]] was a settlement by the 12th century.<ref>Richard Tomkins, ''Wiltshire Place Names'' (1983), p. 54</ref> It has a 20th-century church.

===Neston=== '''Neston''' village was established around [[Neston Park]], a [[Estate (house)|country estate]] whose house was built {{circa|1790}}.<ref name="cchist"/> Neston Park is home of the Fuller family, who give their name to the [[Fuller, Smith and Turner]] brewery in London, known for ''Fuller's London Pride'' [[cask ale]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051219060827/http://www.fullers.co.uk/ir/History The History of Fuller, Smith & Turner P.L.C.] from the brewery's website. Retrieved on 4 October 2006.</ref>

===Pickwick=== '''Pickwick''' was once a separate settlement and now forms the north-western part of the town. The name derives from [[Anglo-Saxon language|Anglo-Saxon]] ''pic'' (meaning a peak or pointed hill) and ''wic'' (village). The Wiltshire [[Hundred Rolls|Hundred Roll]] of 1273 refers to a "William de Pikewicke".<ref name=Longstaff/>

Corsham was the inspiration for [[Charles Dickens]]' novel ''[[The Pickwick Papers]]''; it is thought that he borrowed the name from Moses Pickwick, a coachman who was born in Pickwick, lived in the "Hare and Hounds" inn,<ref name = Flavin>{{cite book | last = Flavin | first = Steve | title = Corsham Born and Bred | year = 1991 | publisher = S.B. Publications | location = [[Market Drayton]] | isbn = 1870708865}}</ref> and ran coaches between Bath and London.<ref>{{cite book | last = Mee | first = Arthur | author-link = Arthur Mee | title = The King's England: Wiltshire | year = 1939 | publisher = [[Hodder & Stoughton]] | location = London | isbn = 0-340-00107-0 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |website=Wiltshire Community History |title=Question: Pickwick |url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Question/Details/22 |publisher=Wiltshire Council |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref>

===Other settlements=== North of the A4, besides Pickwick, are the hamlets of '''Middlewick''', '''Upper Pickwick''' and '''Cross Keys'''.

Settlements now within Corsham's built-up area are '''Hudswell''', '''Leafield''', '''Westwells''' with '''Moor Green''' and Neston further south. In the east of the parish are '''Easton''', '''Thingley''' and '''Westrop''', and in the southeast '''Chapel Knapp''', [[Gastard]], '''Monk's Park''', '''The Linleys''' and '''The Ridge'''.

==Notable buildings== {{main|Listed buildings in Corsham}} Pickwick Manor, on the Bath Road, was noted by architectural historian [[Nikolaus Pevsner]] as an "unusually impressive example of a late 17th century manor house", having remnants of a 14th-century wing.<ref name="Pevsner" /> More recently, the [[Grade II* listed]] house has been the residence of architect [[Harold Brakspear]] and his descendants.<ref name=cchist/><ref>Brakspear, Sir; Harold (b. Corsham, Wilts. 10 March 1870 – d. 20 November 1934). Who's Who 2006 and Who Was Who 1897–2005 (2005). Retrieved 10 October 2006. Available from [http://www.xreferplus.com/entry/5329788 xreferplus.]{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Beechfield is a late [[Georgian architecture|Georgian]] house in Middlewick Lane, just north of the town. It was extended in the early 1970s to provide additional accommodation.<ref name = Pevsner/> The house was split into residential accommodation while part of the grounds were split off in 2002 under the auspices of the Town Council to provide a nature area where local flora and fauna can be seen.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corsham.gov.uk/nature_areas.html |title=Welcome To Corsham Council |publisher=www.corsham.gov.uk |access-date=8 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101102233939/http://www.corsham.gov.uk/nature_areas.html |archive-date=2 November 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Nearby, [[Guyers House Hotel|Guyers House]] is a 17th-century house, now a hotel and restaurant.

[[File:Hartham Park.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hartham Park]] [[manor house]], designed by [[James Wyatt]]]]

[[Middlewick House]], just outside the town, was occupied by [[Camilla Parker Bowles]] (later Queen Camilla) and her first husband between 1986 and 1995, when it was bought by [[Nick Mason]] of [[Pink Floyd]].<ref name="Yilmaz">{{cite web |last=Yilmaz |first=Tanya |date=7 July 2015 |title=Pink Floyd drummer opens his garden for charity |url=http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/13374391.Pink_Floyd_drummer_opens_his_garden_for_charity/ |accessdate=23 November 2015 |work=[[Wiltshire Times]]}}</ref> Further to the north, [[Hartham Park]] is a Georgian estate that includes a rare [[stické]] court. [[Rudloe Manor]], a 17th-century Grade II* listed manor house,<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1022808|desc=Rudloe Manor|access-date=24 July 2023|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> is off the Bath Road west of the town, just outside Corsham parish.

==Governance== For Westminster elections, Corsham is within the [[Chippenham]] constituency, which has been represented since the 2024 general election by [[Sarah Gibson (politician)|Sarah Gibson]] for the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 July 2024 |title=Chippenham – General election results 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001168 |access-date=2024-07-20 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

When the [[Local Government Act 1972]] came into force on 1 January 1974, Corsham came within the areas of [[Wiltshire County Council]] and [[North Wiltshire]] [[Non-metropolitan district|District Council]], electing one county councillor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-general-information/councillor-by-division.htm |title=Councillor by Division |access-date=18 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216083124/http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors-general-information/councillor-by-division.htm |archive-date=16 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> and three district councillors from the Corsham and [[Lacock]] division.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/index/council-democracy/democracy_and_elections/cd_councils-councillors/councillors_by_ward.htm |title=Councillors by Ward |access-date=10 November 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070807145124/http://www.northwilts.gov.uk/index/council-democracy/democracy_and_elections/cd_councils-councillors/councillors_by_ward.htm |archive-date = 7 August 2007}}</ref> On 1 April 2009, Wiltshire became a [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] managed by [[Wiltshire Council]] and the county's district councils were all merged into this body.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/local-government-white-paper.htm |title=Towards One Council |access-date=18 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517004320/http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/local-government-white-paper.htm |archive-date=17 May 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref> From 2009, voters in the area elect three councillors to the unitary authority, one from each of three single-member electoral divisions: Corsham Ladbrook, Corsham Pickwick, and Corsham Without (which extends to neighbouring [[Lacock]], part of [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]], and the rural area south and east of the town).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Maps: Great Britain |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |access-date=20 July 2024 |website= |publisher=Ordnance Survey}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Your Councillors |url=https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Wiltshire Council |language=en}}</ref>

Corsham's first tier of government is Corsham Town Council, which was created as a [[Parish councils in England|parish council]] in 1895. Although Corsham never had its own town charter, in 2000 it became a [[town council]].<ref name="CTC">{{cite web |url=http://www.corsham.gov.uk/history.html |title=Welcome To Corsham Council |publisher=www.corsham.gov.uk |access-date=10 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017114712/http://www.corsham.gov.uk/history.html |archive-date=17 October 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> There are currently twenty councillors.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Councillors |url=https://www.corsham.gov.uk/home/council/whos-who/town-councillors/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Corsham Town Council |language=en-GB}}</ref> ==Population and demography== [[File:CorshamPopulation.jpg|thumb|left|Changes in Corsham's population 1801–2001]]

The first official census of 1801 showed Corsham having 2,402 inhabitants, while that of 2011 recorded exactly 13,000. The increase shown for 1840 is due to the influx of stone workers and the arrival of the [[Great Western Railway]].<ref name="cchist"/> No census was taken in 1941 due to the [[Second World War]], but the jump in population (from 3,754 in 1931 to 9,268 in 1951, an increase of 147%) is attributable to the influx of military personnel.<ref name="census">{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/southwestengland/wiltshire/E35000414__corsham/|title=Corsham (Wiltshire, South West England, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map, Location, Weather and Web Information|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>

The 2001 census demographics of the SN13 postcode area, of which Corsham comprises the major part, did not differ markedly from national figures; the unemployment rate was 2.0 per cent compared to a national 3.2 per cent, and there was a marginally higher rate of retirees (at 23.3 per cent as against 22 per cent). 23 per cent of adults are educated to degree level, against a national average of 20 per cent.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mouseprice.com/AreaGuide/Demographics.aspx?PostCodeDistrict=SN13&PostCodeDistrictName=Corsham&PostCode= |title=Demographic data for SN13 (Corsham) |publisher=www.mouseprice.com |access-date=6 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090825110151/http://www.mouseprice.com/AreaGuide/Demographics.aspx?PostCodeDistrict=SN13&PostCodeDistrictName=Corsham&PostCode= |archive-date=25 August 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> {{Clear}}

==Education== Corsham has four primary schools, an independent preparatory school and a large secondary school. The primary schools, catering for students up to age 11, are:

* Corsham Primary School, split between Pound Pill and Broadwood Avenue, was formed from Lady Methuen's School for Girls (founded 1816), the National School for Girls (c.1840s) and Corsham British School for Boys (c.1840). These schools came under the aegis of the Corsham School Board in 1893 and were finally merged in 1923. It now provides for about 680 pupils.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Corsham Primary School|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/335|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> * Corsham Regis Primary Academy, Kings Avenue, opened in 1943 for the children of incoming military workers. It became a junior school in 1955 when older children transferred to the Corsham Secondary Modern School, and now has about 150 pupils.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Corsham Regis Primary School|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/336|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> * Neston Primary School, Church Rise, Neston, was founded in 1861 as Corshamside School. It now provides for about 200 pupils.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Neston Primary School|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/338|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> * St Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Lacock Road, opened in 1966 and is a [[voluntary aided school]] with about 190 pupils.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=St. Patrick's Catholic Primary School, Corsham|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/339|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref>

Two schools outside the parish take pupils from Corsham: [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]] [[Church of England|CE]] ([[Voluntary controlled school|VC]]) Primary School and [[Shaw, Melksham Without|Shaw]] CE Primary School.

[[The Corsham School]], The Tynings, is Corsham's only secondary school; it was opened in 1972 as a [[comprehensive school|comprehensive]] and is now a large [[Academy (English school)|academy]] with a [[sixth form]]. In July 2024 the school had 1,264 pupils.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Corsham School |url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/136611 |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=GOV.UK: Schools}}</ref>

Heywood Prep School, Priory Street, is an [[Independent school (United Kingdom)|independent school]] providing education from ages 2 to 11, and has about 260 pupils.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heywood Prep |url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/126524 |access-date=6 September 2024 |website=GOV.UK: Schools}}</ref> It is located on two acres of property in the centre of Corsham, near [[Corsham Court]], on a site first mentioned in the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' as a priory donated to an order of monks.{{Citation needed|date=October 2025}} The Grade II Georgian building in [[Bath stone]] is from 1776;<ref name="priorylisting">{{National Heritage List for England|num=1363947|desc=Heywood Prep School – The Priory|access-date=2 May 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> later additions include a barn, used as a dining room and later a science block, and a multi-functional performance hall. The school is part of the Wishford Schools group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Schools |url=https://wishford.co.uk/our-schools-nurseries/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Wishford Education |language=en-US}}</ref>

A school was first endowed in Corsham by Lady Margaret Hungerford, in 1668 as part of the almshouses.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corfe-Castle - Corstone A Topographical Dictionary of England |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/topographical-dict/england/pp685-693 |website=British History Online |publisher=S Lewis, London 1848 |access-date=6 January 2025}}</ref> A new schoolroom was built on the south side of Lacock Road by lord of the manor, [[Paul Cobb Methuen]] in 1816. The building, which is Grade II listed, is still standing and is used as a further education centre by [[Wiltshire College]].<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1363999|desc=Corsham Further Education Centre|access-date=6 January 2025|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>

== Churches == <!-- Corsham Priory redirects here -->

=== Former priory === Corsham Priory was referred to in 1336 as having been given to [[Marmoutier Abbey (Tours)|Marmoutier Abbey]] during the time of [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] (1068–1135) as an [[alien priory]]. An unnamed [[Prior (ecclesiastical)|prior]] was referred to in 1201, but the priory had become inactive by 1294 and its lands passed to [[The Crown]] and eventually to [[King's College, Cambridge]].<ref>{{cite web|website=British History Online|title=Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 3 p394 – Alien houses: Priory of Corsham|editor-first1=R.B.|editor-last1=Pugh|editor-first2=Elizabeth|editor-last2=Crittall|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol3/p394|publisher=University of London|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref> Later a Georgian house was built on the site, which is now part of Heywood Prep School.<ref name="priorylisting" />

===Anglican churches=== [[File:St Bartholomew, Corsham.JPG|thumb|right|Church of St Bartholomew]]

The town of Corsham and surrounding villages are within the jurisdiction of the [[Diocese of Bristol]]. The churches are served by the Corsham & Lacock Churches team ministry, which extends east to [[St Cyriac's Church, Lacock|St Cyriac's, Lacock]] and St Anne's, [[Bowden Hill]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Corsham & Lacock Churches|url=http://corshamandlacockchurches.org.uk/|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref>

==== Church of St Bartholomew ==== <!-- Church of St Bartholomew, Corsham redirects here --> The main parish Church of [[Bartholomew the Apostle|St Bartholomew]], which stands between the High Street and [[Corsham Court]], is partly built on [[History of Anglo-Saxon England|Saxon]] foundations. The present church has 12th-century origins but underwent major [[Victorian restoration]] in 1875–1878 by [[George Edmund Street|G.E. Street]].

Pevsner writes: "A large church with a commanding S tower with spire. It looks as if it were all built for the great house and the estate in the days of Victorian prosperity. In fact Street only restored an old church, but he did it unfortunately thoroughly, and he added the tower."<ref name="Pevsner">{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |author-link1=Nikolaus Pevsner |last2=Cherry |first2=Bridget (revision) |year=1975 |orig-year=1963 |title=Wiltshire |series=[[Pevsner Architectural Guides#Buildings of England|The Buildings of England]] |edition=2nd |place=Harmondsworth |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=0-14-0710-26-4 |pages=191–192}}</ref>

Street's tower replaced an earlier central tower. Around the same time the chancel was restored by [[Charles Francis Hansom|C.F. Hansom]], who also added a north chapel for the [[Baron Methuen|Methuen]] family. The north aisle remains from the early 14th century, and the south aisle from later in that century; the nave has [[Norman architecture|Norman]] arcades and a 15th-century roof. In 1960 the church was designated as Grade I listed.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1021975|desc=Church of St Bartholomew|access-date=3 May 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Corsham Church Guide|website=Corsham & Lacock Churches|url=http://corshamandlacockchurches.org.uk/?page_id=61|access-date=3 May 2016}}</ref>

In the north chancel chapel, the large [[altar tomb]] of 15th-century landowner [[Thomas Tropenell]] is shared with his first wife, Agnes.<ref>[[Thomas Dingley (antiquary)|Thomas Dingley]], [[John Gough Nichols]], Vincent Brooks, ''History from Marble'', vol. 97 (1868), p. 151</ref>

==== Outlying churches ==== The Church of [[Philip the Apostle|St Philip]] and [[Saint James the Just|St James]] at Neston was opened in 1866. Its architecture is [[English Gothic architecture#Early English Gothic|early English]], in [[Bath stone|local stone]]<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/297 | title = Church of St. Philip and St. James, Neston | publisher = [[Wiltshire Council]] | access-date = 5 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232050/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/297 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> to designs of [[John Henry Hakewill|J.H. Hakewill]]. Internal re-ordering was completed in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|title=A history of Neston Church|website=Corsham & Lacock Churches|url=http://corshamandlacockchurches.org.uk/?page_id=1022|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref>

The Church of [[John the Baptist|St. John the Baptist]] at [[Gastard]] was built in 1912 in the [[Gothic Revival architecture|gothic]] style.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/296 | title = Church of St. John the Baptist, Corsham | publisher = [[Wiltshire Council]] | access-date = 5 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064229/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/296 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Roman Catholic=== [[Saint Patrick|St. Patrick]]'s Roman Catholic Church was opened in 1945, replacing temporary centres which had been arranged for the wartime population influx. The building is the former Pickwick school, opened in 1858 on land gifted in 1846 by [[Paul Methuen, 1st Baron Methuen|Lord Methuen]] and his tenants, [[Sir Gabriel Goldney, 1st Baronet|Sir Gabriel Goldney]] and Arthur Knapp; the architect was [[Henry Goodridge]] of Bath. The school closed in 1922 and the building was used for a time as a glove factory, then as a [[gas mask]] factory.<ref>{{cite web|title=Parish History|website=St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church|url=http://stpatricks-corsham.org.uk/our-parish/parish-history/|access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Pickwick School, Corsham|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/345|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

===Monk's Chapel=== <!-- Monk's Chapel, Corsham redirects here --> Monk's Chapel, built near Gastard in 1662, was formerly a [[Religious Society of Friends|Quaker]] meeting-house and was transferred to the Congregational church in 1690.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/292 | title = Society of Friends, Monk's Lane | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232926/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/292 | archive-date = 3 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/293 | title = Monk's Lane Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064119/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/293 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The chapel is a Grade I listed building<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1363968|desc=Congregational Chapel|access-date=4 May 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> and continues in use as of 2016.<ref>{{cite web|title=Monk's Chapel|website=monkschapel.com|url=http://monkschapel.com/|access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

===Other free churches=== The [[Baptist]] Chapel, Moor Green, was founded in 1833.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/289 | title = Baptist, Corsham | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060800/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/289 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Velly, was founded in 1857.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/290 | title = Ebenezer Baptist Chapel, Velly | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053803/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/290 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The [[Congregational Church in England|Congregational]] Church, Pickwick Road, originally met in a [[brewery|malthouse]], and a new building was commenced in 1790. In 1971 it closed and is now used as offices.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/286 | title = Congregational Church, Pickwick Road | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060538/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/286 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Ebenezer Chapel, Priory Street, was formed in 1822/3 when some members of the Congregational Church split over doctrine. The present building opened in 1829 and has been extended since then.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/287 | title = Ebenezer Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160822135557/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/287 | archive-date = 22 August 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1022108|desc=Corsham Baptist Church|access-date=4 May 2016|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> As of 2016, the building is still in use, as Corsham Baptist Church.<ref>{{cite web|title=Corsham Baptist Church|website=corshambaptists.org|url=http://www.corshambaptists.org/|access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref> Zion Hill Baptist Chapel was built in 1859 by a group who separated from the Priory Street chapel.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/291 | title = Zion Hill Baptist Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060239/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/291 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

The [[Particular Baptist]] Chapel, Pound Pill, dates back to about 1824.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/288 | title = Particular Baptist Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030203/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/288 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> The [[Old German Baptist Brethren|Brethren]] met in several locations, beginning in the mid nineteenth century at Pockeridge Lodge, moving to Neston, while another group met in Pickwick. By 1903, both were meeting in Neston and in 1925 they bought the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Station Road.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/332 | title = Primitive Methodist Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055506/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/332 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/295 | title = The Brethren | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054121/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/295 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

A large [[Wesleyan Methodist Church (Great Britain)|Wesleyan Methodist]] chapel was built on Pickwick Road in 1903.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/294 | title = Wesleyan Methodist Chapel | publisher = Wiltshire Council | access-date = 4 May 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035510/https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Church/Details/294 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In 1984 the congregation was joined by the nearby Congregational church (which by then was part of the [[United Reformed Church]]) to form the United Church of St Aldhelm. In 2016 the church continues in use.<ref>{{cite web|title=St. Aldhelm's Church, Corsham|url=http://www.wiltsunitedchurches.org.uk/Corsham.htm|website=Wiltshire United Area|access-date=4 May 2016}}</ref>

==Transport== [[File:Corsham station engine house spring 2007 Ben Croft.jpg|left|thumb|There is a local campaign to reopen the railway station near Station Road]]

Corsham is connected to [[Bradford on Avon]] by the [[B3109 road]], to [[Melksham]] by the [[B3353 road|B3353]], and to [[Chippenham, Wiltshire|Chippenham]] and [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]] by the [[A4 road (Great Britain)|A4 Bath Road]], a former [[Turnpike trust|turnpike]] from London to [[Bristol]]. Junction 17 of the [[M4 motorway]] is about 8 miles (12&nbsp;km) from Corsham. Bus company Faresaver operate local services, as well as buses to nearby towns (including the twice-per-hour X31 between Bath and Chippenham).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.faresaver.co.uk/timetables/64104c6d30f65.pdf | title=Faresaver }}</ref>

The [[Great Western Main Line]] railway from London to Bristol, Exeter and Penzance passes through the town, though [[Corsham railway station|Corsham station]] closed in 1965. Proposals to reopen the station have been put forward since at least 2009,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2009-03-05|title=Support for railway station plan|work=BBC News: England|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/wiltshire/7925800.stm|access-date=2021-10-28}}</ref> and, in 2021, a feasibility study was approved by the Department for Transport.<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 October 2021|title=Wiltshire Council bid for funding Corsham station on track to success|url=https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/wiltshire-council-bid-for-funding-corsham-station-on-track-to-success|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-11|website=Wiltshire Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029094927/https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/wiltshire-council-bid-for-funding-corsham-station-on-track-to-success |archive-date=29 October 2021 }}</ref>

Nearby stations, and most passenger trains, are operated by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]. Some local services call at the nearest [[Melksham railway station|station at Melksham]], {{convert|4.5|mi}} away, but [[Chippenham railway station|Chippenham station]], {{convert|4.7|mi}} away, offers frequent express services and connections.

The eastern portal of [[Box Tunnel]], the longest railway tunnel of its time, built by [[Isambard Kingdom Brunel]] for the [[Great Western Railway]], is at Hudswell on the western edge of the town. [[Corsham Railway Cutting]] carries the main line westward through Corsham to Box Tunnel. In 1971, {{Convert|6.6|ha|acre}} of land in the cutting were designated a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]] for its notable geology. {{clear}}

==Town twinning== [[File:Corsham - Town Hall (geograph 6698670).jpg|thumb|[[Corsham Town Hall]]]]

Corsham has had a [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinning]] relationship with the town of [[Jargeau]], France since 1981,<ref>{{cite news | work = The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald | url = https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7252691.twinning-should-be-for-young-and-old/ | title = Twinning should be for young and old | date = 24 March 2005 | access-date = 15 July 2008 }}</ref> and has an active twinning association.<ref>{{cite web | url =http://corshamtwinning.co.uk |title = Corsham Twinning Association | access-date = 23 December 2010}}</ref> Corsham holds an annual twinning event in which musical and charity events occur, accompanied by French food and wines. There is also a [[boules]] competition for the Peter Henderson trophy which is named in memory of a local doctor and former chairman of the twinning association.<ref>{{cite news | work = The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald | url = https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7404531.festival-marks-french-first/ | title = Festival marks French first | date = 30 June 2000 | access-date = 15 July 2008 }}</ref> As part of the 2008 event, a mock [[Storming of the Bastille]] was staged to celebrate [[Bastille Day]], [[Corsham Town Hall]] standing in for the Parisian prison.<ref>{{cite news | work = ThisIsWiltshire | author = Katie Adams | title = Mock attack on town hall | date = 7 July 2008}}</ref>

==Economy==

===Defence=== The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] has operated a number of locations in the vicinity of Corsham since the [[First World War]] and employs approximately 2,000 people.<ref name=planning>{{cite web | url = http://planning.northwilts.gov.uk/DocsOnline/16198_25.pdf | title = REDEVELOPMENT OF BASIL HILL SITE, CORSHAM | access-date = 4 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Several defence sites in the Corsham area are located underground and were formed from historic [[Bath Stone]] quarries. The largest of the above-ground sites are centred around the Hawthorn area of Corsham.

====Basil Hill site==== {{Main|MoD Corsham}} The Basil Hill site is in Westwells Road and comprises the former Basil Hill Barracks; the site is now designated MOD Corsham and accommodates approximately 2,100 people. It is home to UK Strategic Command's [[Defence Digital]] organisation and also houses the Ministry of Defence's Global Operations Security Control Centre, amongst other units.

====Rudloe site==== {{Main|RAF Rudloe Manor}} [[File:RudloeManorHawkins.jpg|thumb|right|The manor house of RAF Rudloe Manor]] The Rudloe site, bordering Westwells Road and Bradford Road, was one of three sites that comprised RAF Rudloe Manor. Rudloe Manor was established during the Second World War as a non-flying station for administrative and command & control purposes. It was home to HQ Number 10 Fighter Group, RAF Regional Command, Headquarters RAF Police & Security Services, No 1 Signals Unit, Controller Defence Communications Network and 1001 Signals Unit. The main site also served as the primary entrance for the [[Central Government War Headquarters]], variously known as "Turnstile", "Stockwell", "Subterfuge" and "Burlington".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burlingtonbunker.co.uk/history/|title=Burlington Bunker|last=Higgypop|website=Higgypop}}</ref>

By 1998 it had become mostly administrative, housing the RAF Provost and Security Services, which dealt with security and criminal investigation. The sites were taken over by the [[Defence Communication Services Agency]] in about 2000, while the detachment of 1001 Signals Unit of the RAF remained at the Hawthorn site until its privatisation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980702/text/80702w10.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 2 Jul 1998 (pt 10)|publisher=[[HMSO]]|access-date=4 August 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605024028/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/vo980702/text/80702w10.htm|archive-date=5 June 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> RAF Rudloe Manor was then absorbed into Joint Support Unit Corsham.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/r/rudloe_manor_1/index.html|title=RSG: Sites: RAF Rudloe Manor No 1 Site – WW2 10 Group Operations Block & ROC/UKWMO Southern Sector Control |publisher=Subterranean Britain |access-date=4 August 2008}}</ref>

====Hawthorn site==== Hawthorn site, on Skynet Drive, previously accommodated the RAF 1001 Signal Unit detachment of RAF Rudloe Manor. The site supports the [[Skynet (satellite)|Skynet]] military communications satellite constellations, which is now managed by [[Astrium Services]] under a [[Private Finance Initiative|PFI]] arrangement.

====Copenacre site==== The Copenacre site, off the A4 Bath Road about {{convert|1|mi|km}} west of Corsham, was originally an underground stone quarry below land formerly part of the Hartham estate; this was taken over by the Ministry of Defence in 1937 and became the Royal Naval Stores Depot, Copenacre.<ref>{{cite PastScape |mnumber=1536692 |mname=Joint Services, Corsham Copenacre |access-date=30 October 2015}}</ref> The underground stores closed on 30 September 1995.<ref name="cchist" /> The site closed completely in January 2011 and was sold.<ref>{{cite web|title=MoD Copenacre site set for development|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/corshamheadlines/10073084.MoD_Copenacre_site_set_for_development/|website=Gazette & Herald|access-date=5 November 2015|date=27 November 2012}}</ref> In 2016 demolition started to redevelop the brownfield site into housing. Two original mine structures remain incorporated into the development, one being a shaft entrance.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}

====Other units==== The Joint Support Unit provides administrative support and facilities management for all three locations. In 2006 a [[Private Finance Initiative]] contract was let to Inteq for the renewal and expansion of the Basil Hill and Rudloe Site facilities, valued at around £800m.<ref>{{cite news | work = [[Wiltshire Times]] |date = 25 October 2006|url= http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/corsham/display.var.986965.0.800m_to_be_spent_on_military_base.php | title = £800m to be spent on military base | last = Evry | first = Craig | access-date = 2 October 2006 }}</ref>

[[Corsham Computer Centre]] is a Royal Navy data processing facility.

The Services Cotswold Centre in [[#Neighbouring villages|Neston]] is a welfare centre offering temporary accommodation for services families who require it. The centre has 63 family units, a medical centre and other amenities.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/ServiceCommunity/TheServicesCotswoldCentre.htm | title = Services Cotswold Centre, Corsham | access-date = 15 August 2008}}</ref>

[[HMS Royal Arthur (shore establishment)|HMS Royal Arthur]] was a training establishment between 1947 and 1993.

A number of defence-related contractors are co-located or in the vicinity of the MoD sites, such as Chemring Energetics UK Limited<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leafield.co.uk/|title=Leafield Logistics & Technical services Limited|access-date=29 March 2016}}</ref> and [[Serco]] Defence, Science and Technology.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}

===Quarries=== {{See also|Bath Stone#Mines}} Underground extraction of [[Bath Stone]] continues in Corsham on a smaller scale than previously. [[Hanson plc]] operates Hartham Park Quarry in the Hudswell district, south-west of Pickwick, and Monk's Park Quarry near Gastard.<!-- I don't know how many quarries are in Corsham -->

Disused quarries have been redeployed for other purposes; apart from defence usage, there is a [[wine cellar|wine storage facility]] at Eastlays, near Gastard run by Octavian Vaults,<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.octavianvaults.co.uk/corsham-cellars/| title = Corsham Cellars at Octavian Vaults| access-date = 18 September 2015| archive-date = 13 September 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150913085731/http://www.octavianvaults.co.uk/corsham-cellars| url-status = dead}}</ref> and storage of [[magnetic media]] for [[off-site data protection]] at Neston.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wansdyke.co.uk/storage-and-retrieval.html |title=Storage and Retrieval |publisher=Wansdyke Security Limited |access-date=16 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415154849/http://www.wansdyke.co.uk/storage-and-retrieval.html |archive-date=15 April 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref>

===Film and television=== Another use for the quarries is the [[film industry]]. Underground scenes from the first episode of ''[[Blake's 7]]'' were filmed at Eastlays,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.monkton-farleigh.co.uk/sc_eastlays1.htm | title = Secret Underground Cities | access-date = 30 June 2008}}</ref> and disused tunnels form part of the studio complex of Corsham Media Park, a specialist business park that opened in 2001 adjacent to [[RAF Rudloe Manor]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=4rfv.co.uk|title=£50 Million Media Park opens|date=11 September 2001|url=http://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=2943|access-date=16 April 2008}}</ref>

Period drama location filming occurs in Corsham, as in neighbouring [[Lacock]] and [[Atworth]] parishes. [[Neston Park]] hosted major outdoor film sets for the [[Lark Rise to Candleford (TV series)|2008 BBC television adaption]] of ''[[Lark Rise to Candleford]]'', and the BBC also filmed scenes for a 2008 version of ''[[Tess of the D'Urbervilles]]'' in Church Street and [[Corsham Court]] grounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/corshamheadlines/display.var.2187261.0.town_switches_centuries.php|title=Town switches centuries|publisher=[[Gazette and Herald]]|date=10 April 2008|access-date=16 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/search/display.var.2110944.0.lark_rise_returning.php|title=Lark Rise returning|publisher=[[Gazette and Herald]]|author=Scott McPherson|date=11 March 2008|access-date=16 April 2008}}</ref>

[[Corsham Court]] has also been used as a period location in productions such as ''[[Barry Lyndon]]'' (1975),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/BarryLyndon.html |title=Film locations for Barry Lyndon (1975) |publisher=www.movie-locations.com |access-date=10 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716220534/http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/b/BarryLyndon.html |archive-date=16 July 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[The Remains of the Day (film)|The Remains of the Day]]'' (1993), ''[[A Respectable Trade]]'' (1997) and ''[[Wives and Daughters (1999 TV series)|Wives and Daughters]]'' (1999).

In 2014, scenes for the new adaptation of ''[[Poldark (2015 TV series)|Poldark]]'' were filmed in the town's High Street, meaning Corsham then featured in every series until the drama ended in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westcountrynow.com/main/film_tv/filmtvhome.cfm |title=Tv & Film locations, from castles to manor houses, the moors to seascapes, city streets to villages: www.visitsouthwest.co.uk |access-date=10 November 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080107210252/http://www.westcountrynow.com/main/film_tv/filmtvhome.cfm |archive-date = 7 January 2008}}</ref>

==Media== Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC West]] and [[ITV West Country]]. Television signals is received from the [[Mendip transmitting station|Mendip]] and local relay transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Mendip|title= Full Freeview on the Mendip (Somerset, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Corsham|title= Freeview Light on the Corsham (Wiltshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=24 October 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Wiltshire]] on 104.3 FM, [[Heart West]] on 102.2 FM, and [[Greatest Hits Radio South West]] on 107.5 FM.

The local newspapers are the [[Gazette and Herald]] and [[Wiltshire Times]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/towns/corshamheadlines/ |title=Corsham Headlines - Gazette and Herald |access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-sw/wiltshire-times/|title=Wiltshire Times|date=19 October 2013|website=British Papers|accessdate=24 October 2023}}</ref>

==Sport==

Corsham has a [[non-League football]] club [[Corsham Town F.C.]], founded in 1884, who play at Southbank. They finished first in the [[Western Football League Premier Division]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.corshamtownfc.co.uk/ClubHistory.htm | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020207190234/http://corshamtownfc.co.uk/clubhistory.htm | url-status = dead | archive-date = 7 February 2002 | title = Corsham Town Football Club – Club History | access-date = 13 July 2008 }}</ref>

Corsham RFC play at their Laycock Road ground, next door to the football club. Their 1st XV compete in [[Counties 1 Southern South]], Tribute [[Dorset & Wilts 2 North|Dorset & Wilts]] Central, the [[Dorset and Wilts Rugby Football Union|Dorset & Wilts]] Cup and the Bath Combination Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Corsham RFC |url=https://corshamrfc.rfu.club/ |access-date=2026-01-27 |website=corshamrfc.rfu.club |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Notable people== * [[Decca Aitkenhead]] (b. 1971), journalist, columnist for [[The Guardian]] * [[Felix Aylmer]] (1889–1979), actor, President of Equity 1950–1969 * [[Edwin Bezar]] (1838–1936), soldier, one of the last surviving veterans of the Crimean War and the New Zealand Wars * [[Jennifer Biddall]] (b. 1980), actress, best known as [[Jessica Harris (Hollyoaks)|Jessica Harris]] in ''[[Hollyoaks]]'' * [[Queen Camilla]] (b. 1947) and her first husband [[Andrew Parker Bowles]], lived at [[Middlewick House]] * [[Harold Brakspear]] (1870–1934), restoration architect and archaeologist, lived at Pickwick Manor and Parkside in High Street * [[Richard William Enraght|Revd Richard Enraght]] (1837–1898), religious controversialist, curate of St Bartholomew's Church, Corsham, 1861–1864 * [[Sir Gabriel Goldney, 1st Baronet]] of Beechfield (1813–1900), [[Member of Parliament|MP]] for [[Chippenham]], and the later [[Goldney baronets]] * [[Edward Hasted]] (1732–1812), historian, master of Corsham Almshouse<ref name="cchist" /> * [[Elizabeth Hurley]] (b. 1965), actress, attended St Patrick's Primary School 1973–74<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/1509198.hurley-school-celebrates-anniversary/ | title = Hurley school celebrates anniversary | work = [[Wiltshire Times]] | date = 29 June 2007 | access-date = 12 July 2008 }}</ref> * [[Kris Marshall]] (b. 1973), actor, best known for playing [[Nick Harper (My Family)|Nick Harper]] in ''[[My Family]]'' and lead detective [[Police ranks of the United Kingdom#Rank insignia|DI]] [[Humphrey Goodman]] in ''[[Death in Paradise (TV series)|Death In Paradise]]'' and ''[[Beyond_Paradise_(TV_series)|Beyond Paradise]]'' * [[Nick Mason]] (b. 1944), musician, [[Pink Floyd]], lives at Middlewick House * [[Baron Methuen]], family seat is [[Corsham Court]]<ref name="cchist" /> * [[Gavin Schmidt]], climatologist, [[Goddard Institute for Space Studies|GISS]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Nasa Expert Returns to His Home Town |newspaper=[[Bath Chronicle]] |date=27 August 2009 }}</ref> * [[Jim Smith (cricketer, born 1906)|Jim Smith]] (1906–1979), England Test cricketer, brother of the below * [[William Smith (cricketer, born 1900)|William Smith]] (1900–1990), cricketer, brother of the above * [[Rini Templeton]] (1935–1986), artist, studied at Bath Academy in Corsham c. 1956 * [[Michael Tippett]] (1905–1998), composer, lived at Parkside in High Street, 1960–70<ref name="cchist" />

==Gallery== <gallery> File:corshamhigh.jpg|The historic High Street is typical of a [[Cotswolds|Cotswold]] town File:Corsham map 1773.jpg|A 1773 map shows Neston's earlier name of ''Corsham Side''<ref>courtesy [[Wiltshire Council]] Libraries & Heritage</ref> File:Corsham_High_Street_looking_north.jpg|The southern portion of the High Street is pedestrianised </gallery>

==See also== Neighbouring [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]]es (anticlockwise from the north): * [[Biddestone]] – small village north of Hartham * [[Colerne]] – medium-sized village northwest of Corsham and Pickwick * [[Box, Wiltshire|Box]] – village west of Corsham; parish includes part of Rudloe * [[Atworth]] – Neston Park Estate extends south beyond Atworth village * [[Lacock]] – historic village and abbey, largely owned by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]], east of Gastard * [[Chippenham, Wiltshire|Chippenham]] and [[Chippenham Without]] parishes – market town north-east of Easton Nearby sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): * [[Box Mine]] (near Rudloe and Box Tunnel) * [[Colerne Park and Monk's Wood]], and [[Honeybrook Farm]] (near Biddestone and Colerne) * [[Corsham Railway Cutting]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== *{{cite book |last=McCamley |first=Nick |title=Secret underground cities: an account of some of Britain's subterranean defence, factory and storage sites in the Second World War |publisher=Pen and Sword Books |date=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927225721/http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/product.php?productid=188&cat=0&page=1 |url= http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/product.php?productid=188&cat=0&page=1 |isbn=0-85052-733-3 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |df=dmy-all}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} *{{wikivoyage-inline}} *[https://www.corsham.gov.uk/ Corsham Town Council] *[https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Community/Index/71 Corsham at Wiltshire Community History] from [[Wiltshire Council]] *[https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/image_galleries/historic_corsham_photos_gallery1.shtml Historic Corsham photos] at BBC Wiltshire * [http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/c/corsham/ Subterranea Britannica] – entry on the Corsham bunkers * [https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml Wiltshire's Secret Underground City: Burlington] – articles, interactive map and video tour from BBC Wiltshire

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[[Category:Corsham| ]] [[Category:Towns in Wiltshire]] [[Category:Civil parishes in Wiltshire]]