Churches of Interest
1. St Mary’s the Virgin, High Street. Now Marlborough’s
main parish church. Norman origin with a fine arched doorway to the west
entrance remaining. The building was severely damaged in the great fire
of 1653. The flat ceiling and single arcade in the nave date from the
Cromwellian period when it was rebuilt after the fire. Carved stones,
among which is dated above AD300 of the goddess Fortune, which was from
Cunetio, the Roman settlement which existed on the site of nearby Mildenhall.
2. St Peter’s, High Street. Redundant since 1974, many services are still held here and it is a centre for activities such as concerts, drama and exhibitions. Throughout the year there is a permanent display and retail outlets for local artists and craft workers. Dating mostly from the 15th century and extensively restored in 1860, the church’s graceful arcades and stone vault of about 1470 over the chancel remain.
3. St George’s, Church, Preshute. Originally Norman with a 15th century tower, it was entirely rebuilt in 1854. The 12th century of black Tournai (Belgian) marble is believed to have stood the old chapel of St Nicholas in Marlborough Castle. Some of King John’s children were baptised in it. A fine brass of 1518 is in the floor of the south aisle.
4. St Thomas More, George Lane. In 1937 Father Anthonioz became the first resident Catholic priest in Marlborough since the reformation. He opened the little chapel of St Thomas in Elcot Lane. It was soon too small to accommodate everyone and after World War II the site of the old George Inn was acquired and a new church completed there in 1959.
5. Christchurch, New Road. John Wesley preached in the town in 1745 and 1747 but there is no evidence of a Methodist church until 19 members bought this site and built their church in 1816. The church was extended in 1872, rebuilt completely in 1910 and is now a joint Methodist/United Reformed Church.
6. St John the Baptist, Mildenhall. Originally Norman, it is remarkable because of its regency box pews and twin-canopied pulpits.
Buildings of Interest
7. Marlborough College. Founded in 1843 as a public school primary intended for the sons of clergy but now co-educational. Near the site of the Norman castle the Seymours had built a family mansion which was replaced in the early years of the 18th century by the existing house. This later became the Castle Inn, a famous staging post and now a central building of the College. Also notable are the Chapel, built by Bodley and Garner in 1886, and memorial Hall by WG Newton in 1924.
8. 42-47 High Street. Reputed site where the Great Fire of 1653 started.
9. The Priory and the Garden. Adjoining the River Kennet. Through the arch in the modern brick building is a fine 1820 house built on the site of a 14th century friary.
10. The Merchants House, High Street. Built in 1656 its original owner was a silk merchant whose affluence is reflected in the lavish decorative treatment of the building. A rare painted balustrade is in the Staircase Hall. The Great Panelled Chamber has its original floor-to-ceiling oak panelled and stone fireplace with a decorative widen overmantel. Open by arrangement with the manager. Gift shop open daily 10-5.
11. Town Hall. Designed in 1882 but not built until 1900-02. This interior has a high standard of Victorian plasterwork and oak panelling and is one of the last buildings to have a constructed roof of such massive timbers.
12. 13-15 Silverless Street. Two small timbered cottages which were built after the Great Fire. Good examples of medieval jettied (over-hanging) upper stories, a style that persisted into the late 17th century.
13. 10-11 Kingsbury Street. Two mid-18th century houses which narrow and enclose the street like a theatrical wing.
14. Dormy House, Kingsbury Street. The lower part of the street boasts mainly 17th century buildings with plaster fronts over timber frames. Dormy House is an attractive example.
15. The Green. Site of the early Saxon community and where Marlborough was originally founded. Many of the cottages date from the rebuilding after the Great Fire but the cellars of some cottages may be of Saxon origin.