Marlborough
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Template:Dablink Marlborough (pronounced "Maulbruh" - /ˈmɔːlbɹə/ in the IPA) is a market town in the English county of Wiltshire on the Old Bath Road, the old main road from London to Bath. It received its town charter in 1204. The high street is the widest in England, allowing ample space for a local market which is held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The town is best known as the location of the leading public school, Marlborough College. The college is built beside the Mound. This was used as the motte of a castle. No remains of the castle can be seen today. There are speculations that the Mound is actually of much more ancient construction, adapted in medieval times as a motte, and possibly a similar feature to Silbury Hill. Legend has it that the Mound is the burial site of Merlin and that the name of the town, Marlborough comes from Merlin's Barrow.
In 1267 at a Parliament held in Marlborough by King Henry III, the Statute of Marlborough was passed. It is the oldest piece of British law which has not yet been repealed.
Although once served by two different railway lines, the town no longer has any direct direct rail access. However the nearby village of Great Bedwyn acts as a railhead, either by connecting bus or by park and ride.
Nearby places
Towns and cities: Devizes, Calne, Hungerford, Newbury, Swindon
Villages: Aldbourne, Avebury, Burbage, Great Bedwyn, Mildenhall, Pewsey, Ramsbury, Collingbourne Ducis
Places of interest: Avebury, Crofton Pumping Station, Silbury Hill, Wilton Windmill
External links
- Marlborough website (http://www.marlboroughwilts.co.uk)
- Marlborough College (http://www.marlboroughcollege.org)
- Wiltshire county website entry (http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom2.php?id=155) - includes a wealth of historical information