Daylight through the yearLongest day (Jun 21): 16 h 37 min4:51 am – 9:29 pmShortest day (Dec 21): 7 h 51 min8:11 am – 4:02 pm
Sun todaySunrise –Sunset –
People12,444 residentsin the Bowerhill, Atworth & Whitley census areaMedian age 44.85,011 households77% of homes owner-occupied39% owned outright12% social rented, 10% private rentedSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Work and commuting3.6% unemployment rate63% of adults are economically active, 6,128 in work, 25% retiredMain industries: retail and wholesale 15%, health and social work 12%, manufacturing 11%Getting to work: 35% work from home, 56% go by car, 7% walk or cycle57% of those who travel work within 10 km of homeSource: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
Education and languages33% of adults hold a degree or higher13% have no qualifications, 6% an apprenticeshipMain language: English 98%Source: Office for National Statistics, Census 2021
ClimateWarmest month July: highs 22°C, lows 12°CColdest month January: highs 8°C, lows 2°C779 mm of rain a year, 20 days with 10 mm or morewettest month December50 days of air frost, 15 summer days above 25°C in a typical yearSource: Met Office HadUK-Grid 1991-2020 averages, 2 km grid (highs and lows from the 12 km grid)
Nearby landmarksSilverlands Lakelake · under a mileCorsham Lakelake · 3.3 miDaniel's Woodwoodland · under a mileThe Rookerywoodland · 1.1 miNocketts Hillhill · 3.6 miCat's Hillhill · 3.9 miSource: Ordnance Survey Open Names
Parks and green spacesWhitley Golf Coursegolf course · under a mile · 20 haThe Commonpark · 2.0 mi · 9 haKing George Fieldplaying field · 1.0 mi · 5 haMelksham Cricket Clubplaying field · 1.3 mi · 3 haMelksham Housesports ground · 1.4 miWestmead Open Spacepark · 4.0 mi · 30 haSource: Ordnance Survey Open Greenspace
Earthquakes43 of magnitude 2 or more within 50 miles since 19708 of magnitude 3+, 1 of magnitude 4+Largest: magnitude 4.0 on 25 Feb 197446 mi away, NewportMost recent: magnitude 2.0 on 9 Sep 202435 mi away, Wentwood, GwentSource: British Geological Survey earthquake database
Flood riskRivers and sea: areas at High risk within 500 m of the centrea 1 in 30 chance of flooding in any year, or greaterAlso medium, low risk areas nearbySource: Environment Agency, Risk of Flooding from Rivers and Sea
Air qualityNO2 5.8 · PM2.5 6.0 · PM10 10 µg/m³annual mean concentrations, 2024Within UK limits, above the WHO guideline for PM2.5Source: DEFRA modelled background pollution maps 2024, 1 km grid
Broadband61% of premises can get gigabit-capable broadband96% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more)0.1% cannot get a decent connection (below the 10 Mbit/s universal service obligation)5,785 residential premises in the census areaSource: Ofcom Connected Nations, July 2025
Elevation40 m131 ft above sea levelLand within 1 km ranges from 33 to 45 mSource: Ordnance Survey, OS Terrain 50
Local servicesHospitalBft Southmead Melksham Hospital1.7 miGP surgeryPes@Specsavers Melksham Bsw Ccg5 surgeries within 2 miles1.2 miPharmacyGompels Pharmacy5 pharmacies within 2 miles1.2 miDentistBath Road (Dental Surgery)1.1 miSource: NHS Organisation Data Service
SchoolsWithin 2 mi7 schools6 primary, 1 specialPrimaryRiver Mead Schoolages 2-11, 261 pupils1.0 miPrimaryShaw CE Primary Schoolages 4-11, 189 pupils1.0 miSecondaryMelksham Oak Community Schoolages 11-18, 1,058 pupils2.2 miCollegeWiltshire College and University Centre5.0 miUniversityUniversity of Bath8.3 miSource: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools
Getting aroundAirportBristol Airport BRS25 miRailway stationMelkshamunder a mileBus stationChapel Knapp Farm1.9 miFerryNetham Lock Ferry Terminal18 miBus stops50 within a mileSources: Department for Transport NaPTAN; OurAirports
Distances in these cards are measured from the centre of the SN12 postcode district.
