The timber-framed Yelde Hall

This evocative image from 1916 shows the Yelde Hall in Chippenham, one of the best-preserved examples of medieval civic architecture in Wiltshire. The whitewashed building with exposed timber framing and the distinctive bell-tower is an icon of the town’s historic core.

Dating back to the 15th century, the Yelde Hall served various roles over the centuries—council chamber, courtroom, and even a jail. Its architecture reflects a time when towns were governed from multipurpose halls at the heart of the community.

By the time this photo was taken, World War I had disrupted everyday life, but buildings like the Yelde Hall stood as enduring witnesses to centuries of local history and resilience.

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