Top 10 Charming Market Towns

Not so big as to be overwhelming, but with plenty to keep you busy, these historic towns along the Great West Way offer an easy insight into everyday life in England. 

Henley-on-Thames 
As its name suggests, the history of Henley is intrinsically tied to the River Thames. It is one of the most famous market towns along the Great West Way thanks to Henley Royal Regatta - a summer rowing competition dating back to 1839. It’s become synonymous with traditional Englishness, due to its popularity among royals and aristocrats. As such there’s a strict dress code: think striped blazers and smart hats. But rowing courses through the veins of this town just like the river itself, and it plays host to other regattas and races throughout the year. At the fascinating River & Rowing Museum you can learn about the sport from its very beginnings to its contemporary Olympic champions. Kids will love the ongoing Wind in the Willows exhibition, which brings a touch of magic to the story of the Thames. 

Henley-on-Thames have a charter market every Thursday and a farmers market every 2nd Saturday, 4th Thursday and 5th Sunday (when applicable) of the month.

Corsham 
On the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, not far from Bath, this handsome town feels like an escape to another time. With its golden stone cottages, 17th-century almshouses and parading peacocks, it has frequently appeared on screen, with recent credits including Harry Potter and Poldark. There’s also a lively contemporary arts scene - check out Pound Arts for exhibitions, stand-up comedy, theatre and cinema - and lots of modern places to eat and drink (try the sourdough pizzas at Mother & Wild). Corsham Court is also a must-visit for art lovers due to its significant collection of paintings, including an unusual portrait of Queen Elizabeth I from 1610, depicting the troubles of her reign. 

Corsham have a market every Tuesday with the Corsham Creative Market happening every 1st Saturday of the month. 

Marlborough 
One of this storied Wiltshire town’s claims to fame is Marlborough College. The public school’s alumni include Victorian designer William Morris and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. While the school’s beginnings go back to the 1800s, its grounds include the Marlborough Mound, thought to date back thousands of years. The town’s motto - Ubi nunc sapientis ossa Merlini (‘Where now are the bones of wise Merlin?’) - echoes local folklore that Arthurian legend Merlin is buried inside. Nearby you can view a relic of a similar age: West Kennet Long Barrow, a Neolithic tomb. Relatively modern by comparison, The Merchant’s House on the High Street was once lived in by a wealthy silk merchant, Thomas Bayly - the 17th century interior gives an authentic feel for how he might have lived. 

Marlborough hold a market every Wednesday and Saturday.

Devizes 
Sitting pretty by the Kennet and Avon Canal, Devizes is a great place to embark on a relaxing boat trip. But there’s plenty to explore on terra firma too. You could start with a gentle nature walk along the towpath, or an architectural stroll through the town centre - Devizes boasts more than 500 listed buildings. Make sure you check out Wiltshire Museum, especially if you plan on visiting Stonehenge or Avebury. Its award-winning Prehistoric Wiltshire gallery holds gold and other treasures dating back to when the mysterious monuments were constructed. Beer drinkers will find a refreshing pitstop in the Wadworth Brewery - take a tasting tour to learn how this Victorian brewery has incorporated the latest brewing technology to make its much-loved beers and ales, like the marvellously malty Bishop’s Tipple. You might even get to meet their resident shire horses, who still deliver beer to local pubs in the traditional way. 

Devizes have a farmers' market every 1st Saturday of the month as well as an indoor market every Thursday and Saturday.

Newbury 
This lovely little town in west Berkshire makes a wonderful base if you want to explore the local biking, hiking and horseback trails. Bowdown Woods, The Ridgeway National Bridle Route and the North Wessex Downs AONB are all within easy reach. (It’s also just a 10-minute drive away from Highclere Castle, where Downton Abbey was filmed.) Newbury offers a great variety of places to refuel after your exertions, whether you fancy afternoon tea at a cute café or a sensational sushi feast. It also has some excellent options for evening entertainment, notably the highly acclaimed Watermill Theatre, which stages productions from Shakespeare to brand new talent. 

Newbury have a market every Thursday and Saturday.

Hungerford
Hungerford lies within the North Wessex Downs AONB, with the Kennet and Avon Canal running through it, so it’s the perfect starting point for country rambles or serene boat rides. It’s a nice spot for a fishing trip, too. Another major draw is Hungerford Arcade, which is home to a collection of antique shops - more than 100 dealers flaunt their findings, from fine silver and clocks to Art Deco ceramics and retro clothing. Elsewhere there’s an independent bookshop, a florists and much more to explore. 

Hungerford have a market every Wednesday.

Marlow 
Right on the River Thames, with a rich backdrop of ancient woodland, this Georgian town has long offered respite from the heady commotions of the capital. Due to its location, Marlow also has a strong rowing heritage, producing five times Olympic gold medalist Sir Steve Redgrave. Take his lead and explore on water - hire your own canoe or take an art cruise on a vintage Dutch barge. Remember to snap a photo of the town’s much-loved Suspension Bridge as you go, and look out for regal-looking swans - you might even see the Queen’s Swan Marker, out tagging cygnets as part of the crown’s conservation efforts. When it comes to dining, The Hand and Flowers is not to be missed - it was the UK’s first gastropub to be awarded two Michelin Stars. 

Marlow have a traditional market every Wednesday and Saturday as well as a farmers' market every Sunday.

Bradford on Avon 
You could spend hours on a sunny afternoon just enjoying the riverlife along the Kennet and Avon Canal in Bradford on Avon, as locals parade their fluffy pooches and narrowboat owners sit out on their decks with a glass of something sparkly. Luckily it’s all very compact so you don’t have to wander far to see the rest of the sights. The 14th-century monastic Tithe Barn is right by the water. Gaze up at its incredible timber cruck roof and imagine the highly skilled medieval masons who built it. Then enjoy an idyllic walk into town, where you can spot signs of previous visitors in the architecture, from the Romans to the Victorians. The timber-framed buildings in The Shambles, for example, mark the site of the original Tudor marketplace. 

Bradford on Avon have a market every Thursday as well as a country market ever 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month and a farmers' market every last sunday of the month.

Chippenham 
This Saxon town came into its own with the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1841, making cities like Bath, Bristol and London easily accessible. Today it’s a bustling commuter town, with locals enjoying the benefits of living so close to the Cotswolds AONB at weekends. It’s great for shopping, making it a convenient stop-off if you need to pick up essentials during your Great West Way adventure. It also has two traditional market days - Friday and Saturday on the High Street - where you can buy fresh produce, clothes and more. The town also stages some quirkier events, including the annual Pancake Race on Shrove Tuesday. 

Chippenham have a town market every Friday and Saturday as well as Chippenham Multi Markets on every 3rd Sunday. 

Malmesbury
A wander off the Great West Way you’ll find Malmesbury - England’s oldest borough. It’s Gothic 12th-century abbey is worth the detour alone (see if you can find the grave of barmaid Hannah Twynnoy, who has the dubious honour of being the first person killed by a tiger in Britain - while working in a pub called The White Lion on Gloucester Street). You can learn more about the town’s colourful history at the Athelstan Museum, a labour of love for its local custodians. And when you’re not out enjoying the gentle beauty of the Cotswolds, there are plenty of cultural pursuits to keep you busy, from pottery workshops to acoustic gigs and artisan craft fairs. 
 

Malmesbury have a artisan and farmers' market every Friday.

For more ideas of things to do on your Great West Way journey, visit our See & Do and Explore pages.