Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society
Analysis
Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Devizes. It was registered in March 2000, 26 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03885649). It says it provides services, sponsors or undertakes research and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society reported income of £637k and spending of £718k, spending 113% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £331k to £637k (+93%), an average of +18% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 141%. Over the whole period it spent 104% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society sits at the 93rd percentile: it is larger than about 93% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Suleymaniye Community Association (£637k), Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust (£638k) and Book Works (UK) Limited (£636k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 56%, donations and legacies 30%, trading 9.1% and investments 5.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £66k. Charitable activities took 67% of spending and raising funds 6.6%. Reserves of £34k would cover about 0 months of spending at that rate. It employed 13 people.
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 19%
- Legacies 10%
- Charitable activities 56%
- Trading 9.1%
- Investments 5.0%
In the charity's own words
The WANHS objects are to educate the public by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, research and publication on the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. An accredited and designated museum, library and art gallery with temporary exhibitions are open to the public throughout the year and an education service provides activities for all ages.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Suleymaniye Community Association | London | £637k |
| Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust | Surrey | £638k |
| Book Works (UK) Limited | London | £636k |
| Keats - Shelley Memorial Association (Incorporated) | London | £638k |