Here’s a quick run through of some of the town’s more significant dates and events: the name ‘Marlborough’ first pops up in the Domesday Book of 1097.
In 1204 the town was granted a Royal Charter by King John (yes, he of Robin Hood fame) so enabling Marlborough to achieve market town status and in 1498 Cardinal Wolsey was ordained in St Mary’s - one of the two churches which stand at either end of Marlborough’s wide High Street. Because the people of Marlborough were against King Charles I, preferring instead to support Parliament, the town was sacked and burned following a fierce battle in 1642.
The legacies of the violent historical past can in fact be seen in Marlborough’s architecture. Some of the town’s buildings (St Mary's church in particular) still bear the scars of the 1642 battle.
This part of the world has many attractions for visitors, not the least of which is Savernake Forest (good Sunday morning walking just a five-minute drive away) established by William the Conqueror as a royal hunting ground - King Henry VIII being the last monarch to use it for that purpose.
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, then motor west on the A4 for 20 minutes or so. And low and behold you find yourself in front of, or close to, a couple of World Heritage sites - Avebury Henge and Silbury Hill. Avebury’s stone circle is a prehistoric and massively atmospheric monument of unknown purpose; Silbury is Europe’s largest prehistoric man-made mound, but again, why is it there and who built it? Literally over the road from Silbury Hill is West Kennet Longbarrow – a burial chamber that dates back to 3700 BC and one of the biggest of its kind in Britain. All strange stuff!
And whilst on the mysteries of the very dim and distant past, due south of Marlborough are the 780 km2 of Salisbury Plain famous principally for a landmark that’s known the world over - Stonehenge. (Some feel that Stonehenge doesn’t quite have the character of Avebury henge though...)
Or if you simply enjoy beautiful English countryside, the Vale Of Pewsey is just 20 minutes away. The only problem is, how are you going to find the time to pack it all in? The simple answer – stay for a week.
And when you get in touch with (or visit) any of the businesses on this website, please mention that you found them through www.marlboroughwiltshire.co.uk. Thank you.