The 8 best things to do in Marlborough
News at Jones Robinson | 29/10/2021
Located in the picturesque rural northwest of Wiltshire, Marlborough has the advantage of modern facilities combined with the natural beauty of the countryside. This means that there are a wide variety of attractions to visit in and around town.
As a local estate agent with offices in Marlborough, Newbury, Devizes, Didcot, Lambourn, and Hungerford, and the surrounding areas, we not only help you buy and sell a property, we are also well placed to provide local recommendations and commodity advice.
Whether you have lived here for a while, have just moved, or considering re-locating to the area we have put together a helpful guide of the 8 best things to do in Marlborough.
Savernake Forest
Entry Fee: free entry, no parking charges
Location: Postern Hill, Savernake Forest, Marlborough, SN8 4ND
Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/savernake-forest
If you are into your history as well as long walks, the Savernake forest offers both in one place. Located just south of Marlborough, the forest dates back over a thousand years. It is also home to one of the country’s oldest trees, the Old Bellied Oak and is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI) as well as a registered important historic park.
If you enjoy nature and animals, you will find a whole host of wildlife amongst the forest, from birds and butterflies to insect and plant life.
The Merchant’s House
Entry Fee: £7.50 per adult, £1.00 for children under 16
Location: The Merchant’s House, 132 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1HN
Website: https://www.themerchantshouse.co.uk/
Other info: The Merchant’s House is closed until March 2022 but can be booked in advance for re-opening. However, group visits of over 6 people may be possible over the winter period, call to enquire.
Built during the commonwealth period, 1653-1656 this next attraction is ideal for history lovers. The Merchant’s House is a rare example of a middle-class silk merchant’s house.
It is fitted out with nationally acclaimed paintings and decorative features, which are all on display for you to view during the tour. From limestone-carved fireplaces to servant rooms, this house along with its 17th-century style garden gives visitors a good view of the past.
St Peter’s Church
Entry Fee: free – donations welcome
Location: High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1HQ
Website: https://stpetersmarlborough.org.uk/web/
Other Info: October – April tours need to be arranged by appointment
Located on the High Street, this is on the site of a former Saxon church which was reconstructed in 1460 in the perpendicular gothic style you see today.
St Peter’s Church is a hub of activity for the community. There are always events going on including musical concerts. The church itself features wall memorials to historic figures as well as leading local residents.
With its beautiful stained-glass windows and vaulted ceiling, there is the added bonus of getting a bird’s eye view of the town. By walking up the 139 steps of the church tower you will reach one of the highest points in Marlborough. This provides you with a full 360-degree outlook of the whole area.
The Parade Cinema Marlborough
Entry Fee: Adult tickets from £12.50
Location: The Parade, Marlborough SN8 1NE
Website: https://www.theparadecinema.com/
The Parade Cinema Marlborough is the town's first independent, community-focused cinema in 50 years.
Located in a beautiful Georgian building, the cinema has a fantastic choice of the latest movies for you to sit back and enjoy with a great selection of food and drinks from the cinema’s fully licensed bar and a café.
And, for private parties, there is also additional upstairs seating that links to a balcony!
Marlborough White Horse
Entry Fee: Free
Location: Granham Hill, Marlborough, SN8 4DN
Website: https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/things-to-do/marlborough-white-horse-p441453
Although not as old as the Uffington Horse in Oxfordshire, near Wantage, which dates back to the Bronze Age, the Marlborough White Horse is the smallest of its kind in Wiltshire and is located on Granham Hill.
This site was once occupied by Mr Greasley’s academy and back in 1804, schoolboys from the academy cut this horse into the hillside. The horse measures 62 feet long and 47 feet high and is certainly a site to visit.
Marlborough High Street
Entry fee: Free, parking charges may be applicable
Location: High Street, Marlborough
Website: https://www.marlboroughwiltshire.co.uk/
If you want to see Marlborough’s history all you need to do is look at the High Street. Here, you can see buildings from a variety of eras, from the Chantry Priest’s house at no. 99 (dating back to the late 1400s) to the many listed buildings which date back to the 17th century.
Marlborough is also renowned for having the 2nd widest High Street in the UK and at the head of the street is the focal point, the beautiful Victorian town hall.
The Northside is filled with shops and inns with elegant porches, supported by columns. On the Southside of the High Street, you will see some little alleys which lead down to the River Kennet.
Here are just a selection of the great, independent retailers/restaurants that call Marlborough home:
- White Horse Bookshop
- Eversfield Organic, Marlborough Farm Shop
- Dan's at The Crown
- Coffi Lab, Marlborough
- Nova Fine Art
West Woods
Entry Fee: Free, no parking charges
Location: West Woods, Marlborough, SN8 4DY
Website: https://www.forestryengland.uk/west-woods
Located just outside Marlborough is another forest to explore. The West Woods is made up of almost 1,000 acres of beech forest, so plenty to explore with the kids.
In April and May, residents flock to the site to view a carpet of bluebells on the forest floor. However, these forests can be visited any time and you may even spot a deer or badger if you are quiet.
Avebury Henge
Entry fee: Free however car park fees apply
Location: Avebury, Marlborough, SN8 1RF
Website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/avebury/
You may have heard of Stonehenge, which is located approx. 15 miles from here. But Avebury Henge is another Neolithic monument containing three stone circles.
In fact, this attraction contains the largest megalithic stone circle in the world and is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The stones have been dated back to approximately 2850 BC and 2200 BC and the larger circle was originally made up of around 100 stones.
So, there you have it, these are our top 8 things to do in Marlborough! As a local estate agent in Marlborough, we are perfectly placed to provide local commodity advice as well as help and advice if you are considering buying or selling in the area.
How Jones Robinson can help
Established more than 21 years ago, you can be assured that we are the experts when it comes to buying and selling property.
We will be able to advise you where it is best to advertise your property, the best times to sell a house and how to add value to your home.
We are always open and honest about the sales process. Whether this is your first house sale or your 10th we are always happy to go through the full sales process with you.
This will ensure that you know exactly what to expect. We are also always at the end of the phone or email should you have any questions or queries.
As a local estate agent in Newbury, Lambourn & Hungerford, Didcot, Marlborough, Devizes, and surrounding areas we can also support you with recommendations for any local commodities or ideal locations for your new home.
To find out more about how we can support you through your house sale contact us today.