Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Malmesbury is a beautiful hilltop town in a unique setting surrounded by picturesque views, and Malmesbury is so much more. A rich and rewarding history, a lively town centre with interesting independent shops and great places to eat, drink and stay. A packed programme of arts and local events, a thriving community and a wonderful place to spend time.

Malmesbury, England's Oldest Borough

It is no surprise Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England. You can feel the stories of the past as you explore the town and surrounding countryside. In Saxon times Malmesbury was at the centre of European History. Our streets still follow the original Saxon plan. By the time of the Norman Conquest, Malmesbury was the most important town in Wiltshire – and Eilmer, one of our monks, had already become the first human to fly. Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury, perhaps the world’s greatest philosopher was born here, as was Hannah Tywnnoy, the first person to be killed by a Tiger. In the 1830’s Malmesbury was named in parliament as ‘the most rotten borough in England’. There are so many stories to discover…

Enjoy visiting the original Market Cross, the stunning Norman Abbey with its remarkable original carvings and turbulent past, the free Athelstan Museum, and discovering the past and present while browsing through our engrossing High Street and charming streets populated with hundreds of attractive listed buildings.

How to Explore Malmesbury

See the Malmesbury Visitor Guide or pick up your free copy and information at the Tourist Information Centre in Malmesbury Town Hall. For free themed trails and historical information at the places it happened, log onto Explore Malmesbury on your smartphone or PC (paper based trails are also at the Tourist Information Centre). Highlights include our Saxon, Witch Trial, and Artist’s View trails and the Malmesbury River Walk, which follows the two branches of the River Avon which surround the town. There are guided walks from the Town Hall each Thursday afternoon at 2:30pm from April to September. Walkers and cyclists using Malmesbury as a base are also well catered for.

Annual events include the WOMAD festival at nearby Charlton Park in July, Carnival during August and early September, and Wessex Week in October. Discover Malmesbury, will help you plan ahead.

And take time to immerse yourself in our community. Set in beautiful countryside with Bath, Bristol, the national arboretum at Westonbirt, Highgrove, Avebury and the Cotswolds all in easy reach, Malmesbury is a great base for a longer stay. Choose from a full range of accommodation choices - prestigious and characterful hotels, historic pubs, quaint B&B’s, short lets and campsites – email tic@malmesbury.gov.uk for the latest information.

Digital Malmesbury Gift Card

Love using your phone to pay? Well now you can with the new digital Malmesbury gift card! As one of the first towns in the UK to use this technology, enjoy sending a digital gift card in seconds this Christmas! Find out more.