Pictures of Malmesbury Abbey

a Abbey in the town of Malmesbury, in the county of Wiltshire

Malmesbury Abbey Picture Tour Hotels near Malmesbury Abbey Submit a history of Malmesbury Abbey Nearby Attractions Nearby Towns Malmesbury Abbey Reviews Submit pictures Malmesbury Abbey Map Add to favourites

About Malmesbury Abbey

Malmesbury Abbey is built on the site of a former Saxon monastery of AD700, by the 12th-century it was an important Benedictine Abbey and a noted seat of learning. At that time it possessed the second largest library in Europe and one of its community was the 12th-century historian William of Malmesbury.

One of the most spectacular parts of the church is the porch, this is medieval and is outstanding for its carvings of the Apostles.

Historically, the abbey was closed at Henry VIII's Dissolution of 1539. It was later purchased together with all its lands by wealthy merchant William Stumpe. William was a generous man, he gave the abbey back to the town to be continuously used as the parish church.

Storms of 1500 caused considerable destruction to the church, it lost its tower and spire, over two thirds of the nave and most of the transept. Further damage was caused in 1550, when the western tower collapsed causing the loss of three of the western bays of the nave. Thus, the church we see today is only half of the original building. Further damage was inflicted during the English Civil War when the abbey was the scene of a massacre. Bullet marks left from this time can still be found in the walls of the building.

One of the most interesting legends concerning the abbey is that of 1020 when a monk named Oliver made an early attempt at man powered flight from the tower of the abbey, wearing a pair of man-made wings. Despite being crippled by the fall, Oliver lived for over half a century. He is believed to have foretold the Norman invasion after seeing Halley's Comet.

Today, the town continues to be dominated by the abbey remains which show some of the finest surviving Norman work in the south of England. The abbey is also noted as the first English church to possess a church organ.

Malmesbury Abbey, sitting within a beautiful churchyard scattered with the graves of centuries, makes an interesting and inspiring visit for everyone.
Please see below for other recommended attractions and towns to visit near Malmesbury Abbey.

Planning a visit? Please help support this website by booking your hotels near Malmesbury Abbey and uploading your pictures. Please leave a review of this attraction.
Distances and directions shown below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Malmesbury Abbey

Abbey House Gardens	(0.1 miles, 0.1 km)	Pictures
Westonbirt Arboretum	(5.3 miles, 8.5 km, direction W)	Pictures
Bowood House & Gardens	(11.1 miles, 17.8 km, direction S)	Pictures
Lacock Abbey	(11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction S)	Pictures
Dyrham Park	(13.8 miles, 22.2 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Avebury Manor & Garden	(14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction SE)	Pictures
The Alexander Keiller Museum	(15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Painswick Rococo Gardens	(15.1 miles, 24.3 km, direction N)	Pictures
Barbury Castle Country Park	(15.3 miles, 24.7 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Silbury Hill	(15.4 miles, 24.8 km, direction SE)	Pictures

All attractions in Wiltshire
Complete A to Z of attractions in England

Recommended towns near Malmesbury Abbey

Malmesbury, a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire (0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
The town stakes its claim to be the oldest borough in England on the fact that it was granted a charter in the year 924 by King Edward
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Crudwell, in the county of Wiltshire (3.8 miles, 6.2 km, direction NE)
Visitors will find this a restful place, there is a serene atmosphere, pleasant properties in lovely country lanes, and a nice friendly village inn.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Ewen, in the county of Gloucestershire (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction NE)
Leafy lanes, tree lined roads and thatched country cottages form the character of this delightful hamlet through which an infant river Thames courses on its way through the lovely Cotswolds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Castle Combe, a Picturesque Village in the county of Wiltshire (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW)
As recently as 2001 it was awarded the title of 'Most Picturesque Village' by British Heritage Magazine's 2001 Traveller's Choice Awards.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Chippenham, in the county of Wiltshire (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction S)
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Nailsworth, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction NW)
Nailsworth is a handsome town that has a history stretching back to beyond Roman times.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Eastcombe, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction N)
Eastcombe is a beautiful hilltop village nestling in the heart of the Cotswolds.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Wotton under Edge, in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction W)
This charming Cotswold village boasts a finely restored 14th-15th century church which retains some good brasses and an old Organ...
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cirencester, a Historic Market Town in the county of Gloucestershire (10.9 miles, 17.5 km, direction NE)
Originally known in Roman times as Corinium Dobunorum, the town of Cirencester in those far off day's was the second largest town in England.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

Cricklade, a Historic Market Town in the county of Wiltshire (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction E)
Lying in the northern reaches of Wiltshire, the historic town of Cricklade has many visual delights.
Info | Pictures | Hotels

All towns in Wiltshire
Complete A to Z of towns in England

Nearby travel help

M4 Junction 17	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)
Kemble Station	(7.2 miles, 11.6 km, direction NE)
Chippenham Station	(8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction S)
M4 Junction 16	(10.9 miles, 17.6 km, direction E)
Bristol International Airport	(30.0 miles, 48.2 km, direction SW)
Southampton Airport	(54.5 miles, 87.6 km, direction SE)
Malmesbury Abbey to London	(85.2 miles, 137.1 km, direction E)

Accommodation & Hotels near Malmesbury Abbey

Hotel Name
Old Bell Hotel	(0.1 miles, 0.2 km)
Whatley Manor	(2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction W)
The Rectory Hotel	(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction N)
The Close Hotel	(4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction NW)
The Ormond At Tetbury	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)
The Royal Oak Inn, Tetbury	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction NW)
The Priory Inn	(4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW)
Best Western The Hare & Hounds Hotel	(4.8 miles, 7.6 km, direction NW)
Stanton Manor Hotel & Restaurant	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)
Bell House Hotel & Restaurant	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction S)
All of our hotels are available to book online & with special discounts