[2][3] AD 681 is usually taken as the starting point for recorded history of Wootton Bassett, then known as Wodeton, it being referred to in that year in a Malmesbury Abbey charter granting land to the Abbot.

[4] Archaeological discoveries in the area tend to confirm the tradition that the original "Wodeton" (Settlement in the wood – i.e. in Bradon Forest) was near the present Dunnington Road.

[17] Suburbs of Royal Wootton Bassett include Noremarsh, Coped Hall, Woodshaw and Vastern (a small hamlet to the south).

Bishop Fowley is shown on Andrews' and Dury's Map of Wiltshire, 1810[18] as being an outlying hamlet southwest of the town; the location is now known as Vowley Farm.

[21] The town falls under the auspices of Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority established in 2009 as part of wider local government changes.

Three electoral divisions – Royal Wootton Bassett North, East, and South & West – each elect one member of the council.

Merged in 1916 to form United Dairies, in 1931 a private siding was opened from Wootton Bassett Junction railway station to allow milk trains to service the plant.

Merged into Unigate in 1958, the plant became a key production site for the St Ivel Shape brand yoghurts, before being sold to Danone for £32m.

[27] From April 2007, the bodies of servicemen and women of the British Armed Forces killed in Iraq and Afghanistan were repatriated to RAF Lyneham 4.5 miles (7.5 km) to the south.

In the summer of 2007, local members of The Royal British Legion became aware of the repatriation, and decided to formally show their respect to the soldiers as they passed through their town.

[29] On Friday 29 January 2010 the town was visited by The Prince of Wales and his wife The Duchess of Cornwall, to lay a wreath at the War Memorial and meet local people.

[30] On 21 December 2009, Prince William presented the town with one of The Sun's "Millie" awards for Support to the Armed Forces, stating: "One of the most remarkable things is that the people are so modest, they refuse to accept any praise".

[35] In 2011, the community of Royal Wootton Bassett themselves made a less sombre tribute as they came together over 5 months to re-record the classic Green Day track, "Wake Me Up When September Ends" from their American Idiot album, in aid of military charities.

The project was called "Wootton Bassett Rocks",[36] and its aim was to raise £1 million for four charities: The Royal British Legion, Combat Stress, The Undentable Trust, and Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association (SSAFA).

[citation needed] In 2009, the far-right English Defence League visited Wootton Bassett,[37] after plans for a demonstration in the town by the Muslim extremist group Islam4UK, led by Anjem Choudary, came under widespread condemnation.

[38] The group eventually called off the plan, claiming that the publicity generated had "successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan" and so "no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place".

The town had previously used unofficial Arms consisting of a chevron between three lozenges: the granted design adapts this to reflect the Royal favour accorded in recognition of the town's role in recent repatriations of fallen servicemen and women, and is: Gules a Chevron Argent between in chief two Lozenges and in base a Lion passant guardant Or.

After just a year, with the completion of the Box Tunnel allowing the line to reach Bristol Temple Meads, this was replaced by the closer Wootton Bassett railway station.

[42] In summer 2015, the Gerard Buxton Sports Ground relocated from Rylands Way to the north side of the Brinkworth Road, just outside the town but walkable and cyclable from most parts.

The main building hosts changing facilities, a bar and tuck shop, kitchen area, meeting and function rooms.

The opening was the culmination of a five-year publicity and fund raising campaign, initiated by local resident Jay Cunningham who felt that the garden and hall were not prominent enough.

[45] The design of the memorial was by Lance Corporal Alan Wilson of the Wootton Bassett Army Cadet Force, chosen by public vote, and then sculpted by local artist Vivien ap Rhys Price.