Wiltshire


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>With alleyways, coaching inns, half-timbered cottages and a church at each end of the wide high street, Marlborough retains much of its original rustic charm. Yet it also has a refreshingly forward feel, thanks to an arts and indie retail community lively enough to keep you connected to the 21st Century. The town is also famous for former residents Pete Doherty and Chris De Burgh (not together) and the independent, co-ed boarding school, Marlborough College, the Princess of Wales’ former alma mater.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="2560" height="1706" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-scaled.jpg" alt="Bunce's cafe in Malborough Wiltshire" class="wp-image-34310" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/09/slide-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Bunce&#8217;s</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s oodles of choice here, from <a href="https://rickstein.com/restaurants/rick-stein-marlborough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rick Stein’s</a> fish restaurant, to the fabulous <a href="http://www.buncesbakehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bunce&#8217;s</a>, which makes a great pitstop for brunch or cake. <a href="https://coffilab.co.uk/locations/marlborough-coffee-store/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coffi Lab</a>&nbsp;will make your tail wag with joy – it’s smartly decorated, dog-friendly and serves excellent coffee and pastries. You’ll also go ga-ga for updates about the&nbsp;<a href="https://coffilab.co.uk/locations/marlborough-coffee-store/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guide dog puppies</a>&nbsp;they sponsor.</p>



<p><a href="https://dansrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dan’s At the Crown</a>&nbsp;is open for modern European lunches, dinners and Sunday Lunch, while&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theparadecinema.com/page/food-and-drink" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parade Cinema’s cafe-bar&nbsp;</a>serves nachos, pizzas, coffee and cocktails until 15 minutes before the last film goes on air. Or for a slap-up steak and a good stomp, try <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/pubs-inns/review-the-white-horse-inn-compton-bassett/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse Inn</a>, in nearby Compton Bassett.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<p>If Carrie Bradshaw lived in Wiltshire, she would shop in Marlborough. We love&nbsp;<a href="https://willowandwolfboutique.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willow and Wolf</a>&nbsp;for independent West London-style looks and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.curateshop.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curate</a> for East London designer-style. The delightful <a href="https://www.luellafashion.com/sassy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sassy and Boo</a> sells everything from the softest cashmere knits to sequin trousers. You can’t beat Mayther for cards and wrapping papers, while mums should check out&nbsp;<a href="https://radishloves.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radish Loves</a>&nbsp;for independent childrenswear. Bookworms will love <a href="https://www.whitehorsebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Horse Bookshop</a>, a thriving indie, plus you’ll find Mint Velvet, Jigsaw, The White Company, Space NK and Waitrose. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, the broad high street throngs with shoppers out for the regular markets, selling all kinds of stuff from locally produced meat and vegetables, to pots, plants, pashminas and pottery.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-courtyard-2.jpg" alt="The Farm at Avebury " class="wp-image-33298" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-courtyard-2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-courtyard-2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/04/The-Farm-at-Avebury-courtyard-2-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Farm at Avebury</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s tons going on for sport-minded folk, from <a href="https://www.marlborough-hockey.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hockey</a> to <a href="https://marlboroughathletics.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">athletics</a> and a popular <a href="https://www.marlboroughrunningclub.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running club</a>. For a boutique gym, try Fitness Space, where you’ll find classes, PT, yoga and even fit camps for keen beans. <a href="https://www.marlboroughpilates.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough Pilates</a> also comes highly recommended, and offers everything from beginner sessions to foam roller classes and mat work. Just down the road, <a href="https://www.thefarmatavebury.co.uk/upcoming-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Farm at Avebury</a> (above) offers a great range of workshops and classes in their gorgeous barn – recent offerings include a yoga and sound healing retreat, menopause retreat and tranquil flow yoga.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Community vibes are strong here, with the Victorian-built&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marlborough-tc.gov.uk/mtc-town-hall" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough Town Hall</a> acting as a hub for a multitude of events and activities. Every year, Marlborough’s famous high street is transformed into a giant funfair, with rides taking over the centre of town on two weekends for the Little Mop and Big Mop Fairs. Given mops are a tradition stretching back over 800 years, when King John granted permission, it’s little wonder the extravaganza is adored by locals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<p>Walks abound in this stunning party of the county, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forestryengland.uk/savernake-forest" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Savernake Forest</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/the-ridgeway/">The Ridgeway</a> and up to the white horse, carved out of the chalky escarpment at Cherhill Down. <a href="https://www.themerchantshouse.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Merchant’s House</a>&nbsp;in the centre of town was rebuilt following the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653, and brings back to life a family who lived through one of the most tumultuous periods in history. A 15-minute drive takes you to <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avebury</a>, the world’s largest prehistoric circle, where you can walk amongst the vast stones.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough-1000x667.jpg" alt="The Parade Cinema Marlborough" class="wp-image-30775" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough-788x525.jpg 788w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2023/04/The-Parade-Marlborough.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/marlborough-college-summer-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough College Summer School</a>&nbsp;has an incredible range of day and residential courses for all ages, with cinema and theatre under the stars.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marlboroughlitfest.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough LitFest</a>&nbsp;runs annually and always attracts famous and fascinating speakers &#8211; given that William Golding and John Betjeman once lived here, that’s perhaps not a surprise. For film fans, indie cinema&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theparadecinema.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Parade Cinema</a>&nbsp;(above) is open from 9.30am every day in a converted Georgian building off the high street. It has a cool cafe-bar and courtyard too, where you can dissect the drama over a glass of Pinot.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nbsp-average-house-price">&nbsp;AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE</h2>



<p>Properties in Marlborough had an overall average price of £458,710 over the last year, according to Rightmove. Terraced properties sell for an average price of £303,071, detached properties for an average of £731,337, with semi-detached properties fetching £426,714.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Marlborough-Knight-Frank.jpg" alt="Marlborough Knight Frank Best Places to Live" class="wp-image-34883" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Marlborough-Knight-Frank.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Marlborough-Knight-Frank-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wilts/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2024/10/Marlborough-Knight-Frank-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This Grade II Listed house is bang on Marlborough&#8217;s famous high street.<a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/high-street-marlborough-wiltshire-sn8/hng012213237" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> On the market with Knight Frank, offers in excess of £900,000</a></figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://stmarysunderfives.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary’s Under Fives</a> is very central – you’ll find it next to St Mary’s Infant School on Ducks Meadow. The curriculum is based upon the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, and due to&nbsp;their outside space, they ensure that EYFS framework is followed both indoors and out.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.avenue-nursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Avenue Day Nurseries</a>&nbsp;have three branches just outside Marlborough, at Savernake, Mildenhall and Aldbourne. You’ll also find <a href="https://www.stfpewsey.co.uk/page/?title=About+Little+Saints&amp;pid=58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Saints Nursery&nbsp;</a>in nearby Pewsey, which forms part of St Frances School. The Bluebird Nursery at&nbsp;<a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/st-margarets-prep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Margaret’s Prep in Calne</a>&nbsp;takes children from the age of two – a blessing for parents wanting to get in the system early doors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Of course, the most famous school in town is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marlboroughcollege.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marlborough College</a>, the independent school where the Princess of Wales once studied. No prizes for working out that<a href="http://marlboroughstmarys.wilts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;St Mary’s CE Primary School</a>&nbsp;in Duck Meadow is a Christian school, but did you know it also has a school dog, Woody? Just outside Marlborough is another outstanding CE Primary, <a href="https://www.preshute.wilts.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Preshute Primary School</a> in the village of Manton.</p>



<p>Great local preps include&nbsp;<a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/st-francis-school-pewsey/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Francis School</a>&nbsp;in Pewsey and&nbsp;<a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/st-margarets-prep/#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Margaret’s Prep</a>&nbsp;in Calne. If you don’t mind hopping in the car for a little longer, you can reach both <a href="https://www.pinewoodschool.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pinewood&nbsp;</a>(day and boarding, age 3-13) and <a href="https://www.cricklademanor.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cricklade Manor Prep</a> within 25 mins. For secondary, <a href="https://www.stjohns.excalibur.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St John’s Academy</a>&nbsp;in Marlborough has an outstanding Ofsted rating. The town is also well placed for <a href="https://wilts.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/national-school-reviews/dauntseys-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">D</a><a href="https://www.dauntseys.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">auntsey’s</a>&nbsp;in West Lavington and <a href="https://stmaryscalne.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Mary’s Calne</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Marlborough College is said to be where Merlin is buried, under a big prehistoric mound in the grounds. That’s also how the town derived its name: Merlin’s Barrow = Marlborough.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The nearest main station is Swindon, which is 23 minutes by car – from there it’s around 55 minutes by train to London Paddington. Driving to London takes 1 hour 49 mins via the M4, which is only eight miles north.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;</em><a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/"><em>Top 300 Best Places to Live</em></a>.</p>


Marlborough

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