Marlborough is one of those names that is instantly recognisable in many countries, yet not many people know its origins are rooted in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside. The market town dates back to at least 2,400BCE when farmers settled for the fertile soil and clear water of what is now the River Kennett. Marlborough’s friendly community regularly welcomes visitors who come to enjoy the intense beauty of the Wiltshire countryside together with its twice-weekly market and charming cottages to rent. Its proximity to places such as Salisbury and Bath make Marlborough a fantastic choice for holidaymakers who want to experience a deliciously authentic slice of Wiltshire life. Read more
Heron's Nest is one of five beautifully crafted Scandinavian lakeside log cabins at Willowbank Lodges, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire. Set within 3.5 acres of private lakes, landscaped parkland, and tranquil countryside, it offers the perfect luxury retreat for singles and couples seeking peace and relaxation. The flexible bedroom layout allows for either a sumptuous super king-size double or twin single beds. Heron's Nest is the perfect base for an unforgettable rural escape.
Bullrush is one of five beautifully crafted Scandinavian lakeside log cabins at Willowbank Lodges, nestled in the heart of the picturesque Vale of Pewsey, Wiltshire. Set within 3.5 acres of private lakes, landscaped parkland, and tranquil countryside, it offers the perfect luxury retreat for couples, families, and friends seeking peace and relaxation. The flexible two-bedroom layout allows each bedroom to be configured as either a sumptuous super king-size double or twin single beds. Willowbank Lodges offers the perfect base for an unforgettable Wiltshire escape.
Situated in the rolling Wiltshire countryside in the village of Upper Chute, Dairy Cottage has stunning views and its own south facing garden. It has been sympathetically renovated to a very high standard with great attention to comfort and detail. It sleeps four people in two double bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom and the other with a shower room. The hotel standard beds can be organised as super king size or twins. The spacious sitting/dining area has beautiful oak beams, a wood burning stove and a Smart TV. The designer kitchen is exceptionally well equipped and the cottage has underfloor heating throughout. There are miles of country walks directly from the door of Dairy Cottage and there is an award winning pub in Lower Chute. The old market towns of Marlborough and Hungerford are close by and the cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury are within easy driving distance as are the World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury.
Formerly the stable block, this recent conversion provides modern well presented self-catering accommodation for families and friends who want to enjoy a taste of country living. Surrounded by glorious Wiltshire scenery in the picturesque village of East Grafton within The North Wessex National Landscape, The Hen House sits on a working farm. An excellent base for exploring the many attractions of the area including world famous Stonehenge, Salisbury, Avebury stone circles, Savernake Forest, Devizes, Marlborough and the Kennet and Avon Canal. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
A beautifully converted holiday home on a working farm in a wonderful part of Wiltshire in the pretty village of East Grafton (AONB). An ideal base for exploring the areas many attractions including Savernake Forest, the Kennet and Avon Canal, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Devizes, Avebury and Marlborough to name a few. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Duck's Cottage is in a quiet spot in the South Wessex Downs AONB and the beautiful Vale of Pewsey. The location is idyllic, being on the family-run arable and livestock Charlton Manor Farm on the edge of Charlton St Peter - one of many picturesque villages in Wiltshire. There are fantastic places to walk and cycle from the door, with attractions like Stonehenge and the stone circles at Avebury within easy reach. Swindon, Salisbury, Winchester and Bath are all under an hour's drive away, giving you the opportunity of mixing days pursuing country activities with days shopping, sightseeing and dining out. Duck's Cottage sleeps six people in three bedrooms and suits families with children (travel cot and high chair available) and friends as well as couples who like a little extra space.
"Coach House" is a 1 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 2 guests in Swindon. Situated at the southern end of the Cotswold Hills, in rural northern Wiltshire and close to the border with Gloucestershire, the friendly market town of Royal Wootton Bassett can be found. The town was granted Royal patronage in 2011, due to...
"The Log Cabin" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Swindon. Situated at the southern end of the Cotswold Hills, in rural northern Wiltshire and close to the border with Gloucestershire, the friendly market town of Royal Wootton Bassett can be found. The town is close to the historic Lydiard Park, Bowood...
"Avebury Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Wiltshire. Step back in time in this traditional rustic thatched cottage with its original features. An ideal base for touring Wiltshire and Somerset.. Ground Floor: Living room: Freeview TV, Woodburner Dining...
"The Gypsy Caravan" is a 1 bed holiday Lodge sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire. Burbage is a peaceful countryside village resting between Marlborough and Collingbourne Ducis, offering a welcoming blend of rural scenery and everyday convenience. The village is known for its friendly atmosphere and easy access to the...
"Lavender Harmony House" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Swindon. A large market town located in the beautiful region of Wiltshire, within close proximity to the pretty Cotswolds. Take time to wander through its quiet courtyards and alleyways or enjoy a vibrant mix of traditional shops and pubs, there is lots...
"Chasewoods Farm Cottage" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 6 guests in Wiltshire. Nestling in the valley of the quaintly named River Og beneath the picturesque Wiltshire Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, only 3 miles from the attractive market town of Marlborough is the pretty little village of Ogbourne St...
"3 Bed Cottage in Lockeridge" is a 3 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Wiltshire. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 3 bedrooms – 1 super-king, 1 double, 1 single - 1 bathroom with shower over bath and WC - Gas hob, electric oven, dishwasher, Smeg fridge freezer, microwave, Krups...
"2 Bed Cottage in Marlborough" is a 2 bed holiday Cottage sleeping up to 5 guests in Wiltshire. Additional information and rulesNo dogs allowed - 2 bedrooms – 2 king-size, 1 with a small, single pull-out bed - 2 bathrooms – 1 en-suite with bath, shower and WC, 1 shower room with WC - Electric oven and induction...
"The Bear Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 1 guests in Wiltshire.
"The Lily Pad apartment & Wrens Nest studio" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 1 guests in Swindon.
"The Peppermill Town house Hotel & Restaurant" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 1 guests in Wiltshire.
"Schoolhouse Restaurant and Hotel" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 1 guests in Swindon.
"The Bear Marlborough" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire.
"Stylish flat in central location with free parking" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Swindon.
"Beanies LorneStreet Four Bed House" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 1 guests in Swindon.
"The Pelican Inn" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire.
"The Barleycorn Inn" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire.
"Circles Guest House" is a 1 bed holiday BandB sleeping up to 1 guests in Wiltshire.
"Comfortable Swindon Town Centre Apartments, FREE Parking, sleeps up to 8" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Swindon.
"Lydiard Park Hotel & Conference Centre" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire.
"Castle and Ball by Greene King Inns" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 1 guests in Wiltshire.
"Studios at 74" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in Swindon.
"The Green Dragon" is a 1 bed holiday Hotel sleeping up to 2 guests in Wiltshire.
"Herongate Apartments" is a 1 bed holiday Apartment sleeping up to 2 guests in West Berkshire.
Popular towns in and around Wiltshire:
AveburyBathBoxBradford-on-AvonBroad HintonCalneCastle CombeChippenhamCorshamCotswolds Water ParkDevizesLacockLongleatMalboroughMalmesburyMarlboroughMerePewseySalisburySalisbury PlainTetburyTrowbridgeUpper ChuteWarminsterWestburySearch within South West England
Is this where Merlin is buried? At first glance, Marlborough appears to be a typical rural market town. And, indeed, that is precisely what it is with a twice-weekly market and an excellent choice of shops and places to eat and drink. However, look into its past, and you will see the epicentre of William the Conqueror’s seat of power, the site of a fierce battle in the English Civil War followed by a tragic fire that wiped out around 250 buildings. The town is on the Roman road between Bath and London, and the Mildenhall Hoard was found just two miles from Marlborough. Possibly the most interesting claim is that Marlborough Mount, a Neolithic barrow, is the final resting place of the mythological Merlin, leading to some people calling it Merlin’s Mount or Merlin’s Barrow. Sceptics may disagree, but there is something undeniably magical about Marlborough.
Walking, Cycling and other Adventures - Wiltshire is a beautiful county with an excellent network of over 8,000 footpaths, bridleways and cycling routes that pass through breathtaking scenery to link pretty chocolate-box villages and vibrant towns. Half of Wiltshire is protected as a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) to help preserve its unique rural charm. A favourite walk is a six-mile route along the Marlborough Downs through the villages of Shaw, Oare and Huish. One of Wiltshire’s famous chalk figures, the Wiltshire White Horse, is a few miles away on Granham Hill near Preshute, with other horses in Westbury and Alton Barnes.
Cyclists will enjoy the variety of routes leading from Marlborough into the North Wessex Downs, some of which are more challenging than others. The Wiltshire Cycleway winds for 160 miles through the county, while those who prefer to ride off-road can use the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath which passes sites such as Caen Hill lock, Pewsey Wharf and Devizes.
Wiltshire is a favourite spot for gliding, paragliding, ballooning and sky diving, so there is ample choice to keep adrenaline junkies happy on holiday. Castle Combe racing circuit is within easy reach for a fun track day, or why not hire a vintage motor from Vintage Classics to explore in beautifully retro style. Visitors who enjoy more sedate pastimes can play golf, kayak, canoe and fish.
Attractions and Day Trips - Wiltshire’s sights and attractions cater for everyone. If you want history, then there is plenty, starting with one of the world’s most famous historic sites, Stonehenge. Salisbury is only ten miles from Marlborough, with a wealth of shops, pubs and cafes as well as its renowned cathedral where guided tours go right up into the tower to give sensational views of the town and the countryside. Other local attractions include Longleat (best seen over two days), Roves Farm, and the Studley Grange Butterfly World and Farm Park. There are stately homes and museums, and places like the National Trust village of Lacock.
Bath, with its Roman Baths, Georgian architecture and excellent shops, is about an hour’s drive from Marlborough, or spend time shopping in the designer outlet at Swindon before visiting the excellent Museum of the Great Western Railway. The Cotswolds are close by, and Blenheim Palace and the historic city of Oxford are both under an hour by car.
There are so many ways to relax and have fun in Marlborough to make it a brilliant holiday destination for all seasons.
