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Highworth is a market town and civil parish in the Borough of Swindon, England, about north-east of Swindon town centre. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 8,258. The town is notable for its Queen Anne and Georgian buildings, dating from its pre-eminence in the 18th century. It also has a 13th-century church, St. Michael and All Angels. The parish includes Sevenhampton village and the hamlets of Hampton and Redlands.
Highworth was a Cavalier stronghold in the English Civil War,http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/civil_war_england.htm English civil war Highworth but on 17 June 1645 Sir Thomas Fairfax captured it and Roundhead troops garrisoned it until October the next year. The occupation coincided with a severe outbreak of Bubonic plague. Traders moved their business to Swindon, and Highworth market did not recover until the end of the 17th century. Highworth benefited from the economic boom in the Napoleonic Wars and Industrial Revolution, and many of the houses in the town centre date from this time. From 1894 to 1974 there was a Highworth Rural District but the town is now part of Swindon unitary authority. Highworth was once larger than neighbouring Swindon, when Highworth's population exceeded 12,000.
Between 1894 and 1974, the parish was part of Highworth Rural District.
The Old Manor House in the High Street, parts of which date back to the late 15th century, is a Grade II* listed building.
The A361 road forms a north–south route through Highworth, while the B4019 is on an east–west axis passing through the suburb of Hampton.
The church was remodelled in the late 15th century. The font is from c.1500, and the elaborate pulpit is from the 17th century although much restored. Restoration in 1861–1862 by J. W. Hugall included the rebuilding of most of the crossing, including the chancel arch and north arch; his south window in the chancel mimics the triple lancet that it replaced, and three other windows were made by William Wailes. The 1935 east window is by Harold Brakspear. The 1937 east window by Townshend and Howson depicts St Michael and a dragon. The church was designated as Grade I listed in 1955.
The Warnford chapel on the south side of the chancel has memorials from the 17th to 19th centuries, described by Historic England as "an imposing array ... chiefly significant for their contrasting styles of inscriptions". Late medieval wall paintings depicting Saint Eligius were uncovered and then destroyed during the 1860s restoration. Three tracings made in 1861 are held by Wiltshire Museum.
The tall west tower with full-height diagonal buttresses carries a clock and a ring of eight bells, two of them cast in 1689 by Henry II Bagley. The buttresses are capped with bear and staff emblems, for John Dudley, 1st Duke of Northumberland; they are modern copies of the originals, which in 1955 were said to be stored in the tower. The diocesan architect Charles Ponting, writing in 1898, called the tower "fine" and noted that only the west aspect is faced with ashlar, while the other sides are in rubble stone. Until the 17th century there was also a crossing tower. Julian Orbach, in his updating of Nikolaus Pevsner's architectural guide, notes similarities to St Mary's Church, Purton, also in north Wiltshire, which has two towers and a hall-like interior.
In 2018–2019, the church was closed for ten months for internal modernisation. The pews and tiled floors of 1862 were removed, although the tiles were retained in the sanctuary and in the Warneford chapel, and some pews were moved into the chapel. Underfloor heating was installed to replace the 1890s system made by Skinner and Broad, iron-founders of Bristol, which used cast iron pipes. The 1932 rood screen by Brakspear was moved beneath the tower, the heating, lighting and organ were replaced, a kitchen installed, and a toilet block added on the north side.
South Marston church was anciently a chapelry of Highworth, until a separate parish was created for it in 1889. Sevenhampton was also a chapelry of Highworth.
The benefice and parish of Highworth with Sevenhampton were united with those of Inglesham in 1940. Hannington was added to the benefice in 1956, and at some point Broad Blunsdon came under the responsibility of the same clergy. Inglesham church was declared Redundant church in 1980 and is now in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust, although St Michael's parish manages the churchyard. Today, the name of the parish continues as 'Highworth with Sevenhampton and Inglesham'.
The Highworth United Reformed Church is on the High Street. Highworth Community Church, an independent church founded in 1981 as part of the charismatic movement, meets at various venues including Highworth Warneford School.
Local radio stations are BBC Radio Wiltshire on 103.6 FM, Heart West on 97.2 FM, Greatest Hits Radio South West (formerly Sam FM) on 107.7 and Swindon 105.5, a community based radio station, broadcasts from its studios in Swindon on 105.5 FM.
The Swindon Advertiser and Gazette and Herald are the local newspapers that serve the town.
Highworth Cricket Club are in the Wiltshire County Cricket League and South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Village League (Sundays). The club play at the Elms Recreation Ground.
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