Pictures of Marlborough

in the county of Wiltshire

Marlborough--Savernake Forest, Wiltshire.

Take a picture tour of Marlborough

About Marlborough

Dramatic chalk downs extend from Berkshire into rural Wiltshire, they are particularly rich in pre-historic remains and shelter a wealth of charming market towns and pretty villages, featuring buildings from almost every period of British architectural history.

Marlborough is a market town situated on the old coaching route between London and Bristol, lying between the towns of Hungerford and Calne. The town grew up around an 11th-century Royal castle, it was granted a charter in 1204 by King John who had been married in the castle chapel.

Today, this lovely old town oozes with atmosphere as you walk down a wide High Street lined with Jacobean and Georgian buildings, with projecting upper floors over colannaded walkways. Some of the buildings have bays of mullioned windows, with doorways leading out onto cobbled pathways. Mostly, the buildings date from the middle of the 16th-century when a fire destroyed much of the High Street.

The delightful High Street is flanked at either end by a Church - at the west end lies the lovely Perpendicular Church of St.Peter and St.Paul. In spite of the fact that this church is now redundant, from the exterior it looks very much as it did when Cardinal Wolsey was ordained there in 1498. It is however preserved through a local trust and is open as a tourist centre. The chancel and sanctuary remain as they were at the end of the 19th-century, in the North aisle there is a cafe for visitors, and there is an Arts and Crafts shop. Events are regularly held here, these include a farmers market, art exhibitions and concerts.

St.Mary's Church at the opposite end of the High Street remains Marlborough's parish church. This was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, but the only visible part of the Norman church is the West Door. Parts of the church still show the result of damage from the turbulent days of the Civil war when refuge was sought here by Marlborough's Parliamentarian troops, bullet's found in the framework of the bells when the Tower was being restored in 1884 are a legacy of this time. The church was almost completely rebuilt following the fire of 1653 thus, this is the church we see today.

The town is famous for its college which was founded in 1843, the college buildings stand beside Castle Mound, where there have been discoveries of Stone Age and Roman remains. On the down-lands surrounding the town lie the Iron-Age Hillfort of Banbury Castle, and the White Horse, one mile south-west, is believed to have been cut in 1804.

Marlborough is a lively town where there is much of interest. It has notable hotels, one the Ivy House is a handsome Grade II listed building originally built for the Earl of Aylesbury in 1707 as Marlborough Academy, a school for boys. It is built around a cobbled courtyard, and retains many of its original features.

This town is perfect for exploring the beautiful surrounding Wiltshire countryside, Savernake Forest, Silbury Hill, Stonehenge, and Avebury Stone Circles are all within easy reach. For those that wish it, there is a Sundial Trail which is worth following, it picks out the foremost historic and picturesque sites in the area.

Marlborough offers a good selection of shops, plenty of inns, cafe's and restaurants. It hosts a number of annual events, these are normally published in the town Library and the Tourist Information centre.

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Hotels & Accommodation in Marlborough

	Castle and Ball High Street Marlborough, Wiltshire, Wiltshire, England (0.3 miles, 0.4 km) Situated in the centre of Britain's widest high street, the Castle and Ball occupies a site where an inn has stood since the 15th century. Some of the hotel's surviving original oak timbers predat... More info and book online.. Price from £40.00
	The Inn With The Well Malborough Road, Ogbourne St. George, Marlborough, Wiltshire, England (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N) The Inn with the Well gets its name from the original well set in the restaurant floor. Bullet proof glass has been used to provide a safe cover for the well, allowing you to stand on top and look dow... More info and book online.. Price from £47.00
	Parklands Hotel High Street, Ogbourne St George, Nr Marlborough, Wiltshire, England (3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction N) This 12 bedroom hotel in Og Valley is family run and centrally located for Marlborough, Swindon, Hungerford, Lambourn and the surrounding area. All bedrooms are en suite. Some are on the ground f... More info and book online.. Price from £65.00
	Landmark Hotel Station Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, Wiltshire, England (6.6 miles, 10.6 km, direction N) This hotel is set within the rural village of Chiseldon, just 5 minutes from junction 15 of the M4 motorway in the heart of the Marlborough Downs. Each individually decorated bedroom is named afte... More info and book online.. Price from £65.00
	The Pelican Inn Bath Road, Foxfield, Nr Marlborough, Wiltshire, Wiltshire, England (7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction E) Located just off the A4 in peaceful countryside surroundings, this 17th century inn has undergone a major transformation in May 2007 to offer the best in refreshment, food and accommodation. Enjoy... More info and book online.. Price from £80.00

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Nearby travel help

Pewsey Station	(5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction S)
Bedwyn Station	(6.2 miles, 10.0 km, direction E)
M4 Junction 15 (Badbury Roundabout)	(7.4 miles, 11.9 km, direction N)
M4 Junction 16	(10.2 miles, 16.5 km, direction NW)
Southampton Airport	(36.3 miles, 58.4 km, direction SE)
Bristol International Airport	(42.8 miles, 68.9 km, direction W)
Marlborough to London	(69.4 miles, 111.6 km, direction E)