Top Things to do in Marlborough
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What to do and see in Marlborough, United Kingdom (UK): The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Marlborough, United Kingdom (UK) including Crofton Beam Engines, Marlborough High Street, The Merchant's House Marlborough, Wilton Windmill, Savernake Forest, St. Peter's Church, West Woods, Wiltshire Walks, Devils Den, Preshute White Horse Hill Figure.
Restaurants in Marlborough
1. Crofton Beam Engines
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
Magnificent 200 year old working steam engines still performing their original job! Amazing industrial archaeology in an unspoiled, rural setting overlooking the Kennet & Avon Canal. The engines are "in steam" on eight weekends per year. Please see our web site for dates and more information.
Reviewed By wrightjw1 - Newbury, United Kingdom
Crofton Pumping Station is a picturesque, historic and unique place for the entire family. The Engineman's Rest Cafe is absolutely fantastic and serves a wide range of drinks, light refreshments and delicious hot meals. The egg mayo Sandwich was scrumptious and the tea was very refreshing. The toilets were very clean and tidy and the buildings were immaculately restored. The tour guide was excellent and had a very rich knowledge of the 200 year old mighty machines. Definitely worth a visit.
2. Marlborough High Street
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 262 reviews
Reviewed By chris w
Great place to shop lovely cafes nice market on Wednesday and Saturday's also a great town to visit.
3. The Merchant's House Marlborough
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By futtock21 - London, United Kingdom
Marlborough's reward for supporting the Parliamentarian side in the Civil War, was that, when it was largely destroyed by fire, taxes were raised to restore and rebuild, including the house belonging to international silk merchant Mr. Bailey which is now a museum. Arriving just after 3pm we found locked the side entrance to the house through which pass those wishing to attend a tour. However on going into the shop at the front we were told we could indeed join the tour which had just started on the first floor. The tour given by an extraordinarily well-informed gentleman, lasted the best part of ninety minutes, including a history of the house and many of its contents, the best of which were a 17th century folding chair for a travelling priest and a cabinet housing an account of the trial of King Charles I. Continuing restoration has revealed trompe l'oeil balustrades on the main staircase and in the dining room a colour scheme based on that seen by Mr. Bailey on his travels in Amsterdam. Our guide was kind enough to engage our daughter by asking her if she could identify bed warmers and cheese graters. Outside there is a garden on a steep gradient beside a kitchen herb garden in front of what was built as a brewhouse but now offices.
4. Wilton Windmill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
Set high above the village of Wilton, about 9 miles south east of Marlborough in Wiltshire, Wilton Windmill is the only working windmill in Wessex and still produces wholemeal, stone-ground flour. We are open every year from Easter to the end of September on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 2pm to 5pm when the windmill building is open for guided tours. The shepherd's hut shop, serving refreshments and gifts and providing a Seating area, is also open at this time, as are the loos. You can visit the Windmill at any time - there is a picnic area with breathtaking views across to the Downs and the building can be viewed from the outside. Dogs are welcome, but please keep them on a lead and pick up any mess before you leave. The Windmill is run entirely by volunteers from the Wilton Windmill Society, so please make a contribution in the donation box by the gate when you visit or make a donation here on the website when you get home. You can also get involved by volunteering or becoming a member. We hope you enjoy your visit. Please do not leave valuables in your car whilst you visit - thieves are known to operate in the area, which is a real shame, but there you go!
Reviewed By sarahpWiltshire - Trowbridge, United Kingdom
We were just down the road visiting Crofton beam engines for heritage day and saw a sign on the roadside advertising Wilton Windmill.
Wilton near Marlborough and not Wilton near Salisbury!
We found it very easily and parked in the field next to the windmill although there is a layby that can be used also.
We arrived just as the open day began at 2pm and were welcomed by the traditional British weather, rain!!
The windmill was open and tours were being made lasting about half hour. Everyone we met were passionate about the windmill and very knowledgible on the workings and history. The windmill is fully working after being restored in 1971.
The interior is arranged over five floors and accessed via steep steps, best to come back down backwards! Not really suitable for young children or in infirm.
As well as the Heritage open day for the windmill there was a summer fete with traditional games, tea tent and live music. We even purchased a loaf of bread made with the milled flour, very tasty, just wish we bought more!!!
5. Savernake Forest
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Doug_421 - Chester, United Kingdom
Within walking distance of Marlborough, via a track behind the BP garage, it’s just an amazing experience to walk through the only privately owned forest in England and where King Henry the VIII met Jane Seymour, his future wife, well one of them. There are short and long walks and as long as you have a sense of direction, you shouldn’t get lost. At times the peace in the forest is unique and you almost expect Henry & Jane to come riding along, I wish!
6. St. Peter's Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By Larry S - Didcot, United Kingdom
Lovely old Church with well kept grounds. Best thing as far as we're concerned is its high quality Arts and Crafts exhibition and accompanying snack bistro/Tea room.
7. West Woods
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By TimB1954 - Marlborough, United Kingdom
Wonderfulness all year but absolutely magical in Blundell season. A must see. Good parking too in woodland setting : good for a picnic.
8. Wiltshire Walks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By onthebeachEllesmere - Ellesmere
Wiltshire is a beautiful county, with magnificent walks. There are stone circles, white horses, many historical places of interest, far reaching views over rolling hills. Savernake Forest is a lovely place to visit for a picnic, canals, rivers, lakes, everything you could wish for.
9. Devils Den
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By SavernakeBreese - Cirencester, United Kingdom
Out of the way, but on an easily walked lane the hardest part is finding close parking. However it is worth the effort. You'll have this enchanting location to yourself. You can touch and even walk through this ancient portal (if you dare). A great spot for picnic with kids, fire their imagination away from the crowds of Avebury.
10. Preshute White Horse Hill Figure
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By GBfromDevizes - Devizes, United Kingdom
This chalk carving is located behind the buildings of Marlborough College, as you leave the town westbound on the A4 route. It is hard to spot on the left, between trees, on a shallow hillside close to the village of Preshute, about half a mile from the main road.
Like all of the other horses in Wiltshire, I drive past this one regularly and several times, when I've pulled over for a break in the locale, I have been asked by visitors " can you direct us to the white horse?"
The horse was cut out in 1804, is 19 meters long by 14 meters tall and sits on a slope of 35 degrees. It was designed and cut by a William Canning, a student of art in the main school that once graced Marlborough's main street prior to the opening of the college. It's not clear why the figure was cut, it may have simply been an art project for Mr Canning set by his tutor.
It was originally a rather simple design with two thick legs rather than the four it now possesses but the additional legs were added in 1873 when the figure was restored and improved by a Captain Reed who had also been a student at the school.
As with most of the other figures, it was covered during the war to prevent it being used as a landmark by enemy planes, a great shame in some respects as it had been fully restored in 1935 to mark the Silver Jubilee celebrations for George V.
Marlborough College now assumes all responsibilities for its upkeep. It's precise grid reference is SU 184682, the only safe place to park is either in the town centre and then walk back, or to turn right just after the bridge that links both sides of the college( if approaching from the east) where you may often find a free space.
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