The Lansdowne Strand

I'd guess that people passing through Calne on the main road these days are most likely to notice the finest building in the town centre, the Lansdowne Strand Hotel, opposite the library. It dates from the 16th century but has a Late Georgian frontage. It was an important point for coaches on the way to and from Bath to refresh the horses. It has thirteen bays with an unbroken parapet, and elements of the brewery it used to have can still be seen in the rear courtyard.

You can make out the word Strand at the top of the picture but the lamp fitting still has the engraving of an earlier name, Lansdowne Arms Hotel. Before that it was called the Catherine Wheel, and was a likely stopping off point for Charles Dickens after he'd stopped at Beckhampton. It is known that he travelled beyond Chippenham and named The Pickwick Papers after the village Pickwick a few miles west of Chippenham.

The building in the background with the clock is the Town Hall.

Lens: Pentax 16-45mm

Alternative:
One In A Crowd