The Warminster Thing

Between 1964 and 1977, the small market town of Warminster in Wiltshire became one of the world’s most active UFO hotspots. Thousands of witnesses reported strange sounds, lights, and craft. The phenomena attracted researchers from around the globe and made Warminster famous.

The Beginning

On Christmas Day 1964, residents of Warminster reported hearing strange sounds: droning, rattling, and what some described as aerial whining. Birds fell from the sky. The sounds seemed to come from above but had no visible source. This marked the beginning of the Warminster Thing.

The Sightings

From 1965 onward, visual sightings accompanied the sounds. Witnesses reported glowing orbs, cigar-shaped craft, and triangular objects over Warminster and nearby Cradle Hill. Some objects hovered silently; others moved at impossible speeds. Sightings occurred day and night.

The Skywatches

The phenomena attracted amateur researchers who organized regular skywatches on Cradle Hill and other locations. These gatherings drew hundreds of people who often witnessed unexplained lights and objects. The skywatches became a social phenomenon in their own right.

Arthur Shuttlewood

Local journalist Arthur Shuttlewood became the primary chronicler of the Warminster events. His books, including “The Warminster Mystery,” brought international attention to the phenomena. Shuttlewood remained convinced that extraterrestrial intelligence was involved.

The Military Connection

Warminster is near several military installations, including the School of Infantry on Salisbury Plain. Some attributed the phenomena to military testing. However, many sightings involved craft that defied known technology, and the military denied responsibility.

The Decline

Activity decreased after 1977, though occasional sightings continued. Whether the phenomena genuinely ceased or simply attracted less attention remains debated. Warminster’s UFO legacy endures in local memory and the annals of ufology.

Assessment

The Warminster Thing remains one of the most significant UFO flaps in British history. The sheer number of witnesses, duration of activity, and variety of phenomena reported make it a crucial case for understanding the UFO phenomenon.