They also developed the quality of their produce, in response to the growing competition from elsewhere in England, and abroad. In the twentieth century, life became tougher and tougher for all British industry - particularly the traditional ones. So, because Trowbridge's wool industry survived past the cottage industry stage, there aren't as many pretty cottages here as in some neighbouring towns. Along the way, Trowbridge picked up several other enterprises to fill the gaps left by the decline in wool. Every town in the West Country can't be a tourism honeytrap.
Somebody has to do the real work - making things.
Still, Trowbridge does have a Hotel Bythesea, despite the fact that the town is a good 25 miles away from the nearest bit of briny. But it's not as fraudulent as it sounds. The Hotel takes its name from Bythesea Road, on which it stands. The road takes its name from Henry Bythesea, who built a housing development here, at the beginning of the nineteenth century.