Marlborough Property Finders
Regional Information for South Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire & Wiltshire
Adam Lock
Marlborough is a thriving market town in the North Wessex Downs area of north east Wiltshire.
It is situated on the old main road from London to Bath and is said to have the second widest high street in the U.K.
The town is on the River Kennet and is close to ancient forests, stone circles, long barrows and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Ridgeway, long distance path runs close to its northern edge.
Marlborough offers a wide variety of shops from small independents to larger chains; from butchers and bakers to clothing and gifts; anything you could want (well, nearly). There are twice weekly markets held in the High Street plus the occasional visiting market from France or Germany as well as organic farmers markets. Every July there is the Marlborough Jazz Festival held across various venues in the town. Also in July is the Marlborough Summer School held at Marlborough College. People come from all over the world to stay in the college and take classes in pretty much anything you could think of. There are the Mop Fairs held over two weekends in October. These were historically for the hiring of agricultural workers but now are just fun fairs. Again at the college and in October is the Feast of Food which promotes the best of Wiltshire’s produce.
There is quite a café culture in Marlborough with everyone having their favourite place to sit with a latte and catch up with the gossip. The Polly Tearooms is one of the oldest having been first opened in 1912. Restaurants range from the chains; Pizza Hut, Prezzo etc to Michelin star establishments. The Harrow At Little Bedwyn just outside Marlborough is one such example.
Although not strictly a commuter area London can be reached by rail from Swindon, Pewsey or Bedwyn stations in about an hour via First Great Western trains, First Great Western Access to the M4 takes 15 minutes.
With a population of roughly 8,500, Marlborough is considered a very desirable place to live. Properties range from red brick terraces, small thatch cottages, large Victorian houses, modern homes and retirement developments. Demand usually outstrips supply which keeps prices slightly above the national average.
Information on schools can be found at the Department for Education
Keeping fit isn’t an issue either. There is a good leisure centre with gym in the town. Plenty of cycle paths and all that open space for walking or horse riding.