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
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 Charlton Manor Farm on the edge of Charlton St Peter - one of the most picturesque villages in all of 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 older children (aged 10 and over welcome) and friends as well as couples who like a little extra space.
A newly 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
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 an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, 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
The Burrow is a welcoming holiday rental in the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire. It is on a family-run arable farm at the end of a country lane with no passing traffic to disturb the peace. The three-bedroom cottage sleeps six people and is ideal for families. It is one of two well-appointed holiday cottages on Conygre Farm, which you can book together to accommodate up to 13 people. The village of Easton Royal with its 16th-Century thatched pub is a mile away, and the cottage is convenient for Avebury, Stonehenge and Silbury Hill, with stunning walks from the front door.
The Warren is an ideal holiday cottage for families, sleeping seven people in three bedrooms with an indoor swimming pool and a games room. It's one of two holiday properties on the family-run Conygre Farm in the Vale of Pewsey, with direct access to stunning walks and gentle cycling routes around the North Wessex Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Stonehenge, Avebury and Silbury Hill are all nearby, while the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bath, Oxford, Salisbury and Winchester are all within an hour's drive.
A beautifully presented barn conversion set amongst glorious Wiltshire countryside within easy reach of world famous attractions including Stonehenge, Avebury's World Heritage Site, Marlborough and the White Horses of Wiltshire. A haven for wildlife and a wonderful self-catering retreat to getaway, relax and unwind amongst nature.
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.
