Our Wroughton library contains original scientific, engineering and technology material from the last 500 years and all of our Archive collections.


Opening times, directions and facilities

Wroughton Library & Archives

Opening hours

Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:00-17:00 (excluding bank holidays), by appointment only.

Wednesdays, 10:00-17:00: for groups visits and schools only.

Please contact the Library & Archives to arrange a suitable time:

Science Museum Library & Archives
Science Museum at Wroughton
Hackpen Lane
Wroughton
Swindon
SN4 9NS
Tel: 01793 846222
Email: smlwroughton@sciencemuseum.org.uk

Please be aware that the Science Museum Library & Archives at Wroughton is not a browsing library. Visitors are required to provide some indication of the material that they wish to consult in advance of their visit. This allows staff to provide guidance and prepare materials as appropriate. The Library catalogue is available online at http://unicorn.lib.ic.ac.uk/uhtbin/opac/WEBSCIM

Location

Wroughton Airfield is a former RAF site near the village of Wroughton, to the south of Swindon, Wiltshire

Wroughton Map

The Library & Archives is located on the Hackpen side of the site. Access to the site is via Red Barn Gate on the A4361 Devizes road.

View larger map

Travel

By bus

Bus number 49 (Swindon Bus Station to Devizes via Old Town and Wroughton) passes the main entrance. The current timetable for this service can be found at http://www.swindonbus.info/tts/049.htm>

Visitors arriving by bus should be aware that it takes approximately 25 minutes to walk from the main entrance to the Library & Archives building. Regrettably we are unable to provide transport across the site.

By car

Approaching from Swindon: Follow signs to Wroughton crossing the M4 and pass the Prospect Hospice and the Ridgeway Hospital on the left. Turn right at the Three Tuns roundabout (the Science Museum is signposted here) and continue through Wroughton village centre. Follow the A4361 towards Avebury and Devizes to the top of the hill, then turn left at the Science Museum Store & Library sign. This road leads to the main Museum site entrance.

Approaching from the West or East on the M4: Leave the motorway at Junction 16 for Swindon (West) and follow the B4005 towards Wroughton until you reach a set of traffic lights at crossroads in the village centre. Turn right on the A4361 towards Avebury and Devizes then follow the instructions above.

Please report to Red Barn Gatehouse on arrival.

By rail

Swindon railway station is approximately four miles from the Science Museum main site entrance. The Library & Archives currently provides a free shuttle service for visitors between Swindon Railway station and the site on Tuesdays, which must be booked in advance:

  • Pickups at Swindon railway station at 09.30, 11.00 and 12.30
  • Return at 14.00, 15.30 and 16.30

For more information or to make a booking please contact Ian Wilkes on 07854 965053 or email ian.wilkes@sciencemuseum.org.uk

Visitors arriving by rail to Swindon on Fridays are advised to take a taxi to the Library & Archives and ensure the driver delivers them to the Library building, beyond the main site entrance.

Site and security information

All visitors must report to the Red Barn Gatehouse at the main site entrance on arrival and provide appropriate identification. A photographic pass will be issued for each visitor and security staff will provide directions across the site to the Library building. Please remember to return your pass at the end of each visit.

Library & Archives Special Collections: user registration

Visitors wishing to consult special collections will be issued with a user card. Please provide identification with proof of address on your first visit. Acceptable documents include a current utility bill, driving licence or passport. The user card will be valid for one year.

Reader facilities

  • Enquiries desk
  • Disabled access
  • Hot drinks machine and free water dispenser
  • Lunch area (please note there are no catering facilities on site)
  • Fully refundable coin-operated lockers
  • Toilets (including disabled facilities)
  • Coin-operated photocopier
  • PC and laptop plug-in points
  • General reference materials (including archive listings)
  • Access to electronic resources including J-stor, Times Digital Online and The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
  • A 24-hour notice document supply service for delivery of items from Science Museum Library in London (please note this service only applies to 20th century and non-rare printed material).

Change for all facilities requiring payment or deposit is available at the enquiries desk.

Please note that our collections are for reference only. Any photocopying or photography is subject to copyright restrictions. Please ask for guidance at the enquiries desk.

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