Marlborough, an area rich in history. One historian has called it the “land of the living dead”, the soft chalk hills surrounding Marlborough once the home of prehistoric man, who has left his mark with ancient tumuli and tombs that remain a magical landscape for visitors.
Marlborough history:
King John was married in Marlborough, granted it a charter creating a borough whose Mayors date back to 1204. Marlborough was even the seat of England’s Parliament around this time, laws were passed here – ‘the ‘Statutes of Marlborough’ – some of which are still in effect today.
Centuries later Cromwell captured Marlborough from the Royalists and built the parish church of St Mary’s, whose bells chime out from its tower. The ‘Battle of Marlborough‘ was re-enacted last in July 2019, and maybe will be again.
And the High Street, the widest in the country, holds its own fascination with The Merchant’s House, the home in 1653 of silk merchant Thomas Bayly, plus the hustle and bustle of shops, pubs and restaurants galore.
On The Green nearby is the house where William Golding, Nobel prize-winning author of Lord of the Flies grew up, one reason why Marlborough has its own Marlborough Literary Festival
Marlborough also boasts it’ own annual music festival – MantonFest, held normally on the Saturday nearest to the end of June. Been going every year since 2010, MantonFest is now a regular annual event, and probably the largest event held every year in or around the town.
And to give Marlborough a royal touch there is Marlborough College, where the Duchess of Cambridge was a student before going to university, meeting and marrying Prince William, the future King.
The River Kennet, a rare chalk stream, flows through the town and surrounding villages, some overlooking Savernake Forest, itself a former royal hunting ground now accessible to all. There is a very good history of Savernake and the Forest on the website of Savernake Parish Council. It is written by renowned local historian John Chandler.
The town lies in the heart of the western section of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Marlborough also boasts many listed buildings, details of some of the notable examples can be found here.
There are many places to eat, drink or indulge in ‘retail therapy’ in Marlborough, as there are entertainment venues, the recently opened ‘Parade Cinema‘ being one. Click here to visit a section listing where to find a good coffee, to eat, drink and/or stay in and around Marlborough.
To find out where to eat, drink, spend money in shops, see a film, listen to music (or find what’s on) visit any of the sections below. Click on each to visit that section.
Below is a guide to the town and key places of interest in the surrounding area. Click on each of the listed sections to discover more…
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