Malmesbury
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Missing image Malmesbury.mainstreet.arp.jpg The Market Cross, the Abbey and the main shopping street. |
Missing image Malmesbury.market.cross.arp.jpg The Market Cross was built at the end of the 15th Century and was, according to a quote of the time “a place for poor folkes to stand when the rain cometh”. Today it remains one of the finest examples of its kind in England. |
Missing image Malmesbury.abbey.exterior.arp.jpg The main entrance to Malmesbury Abbey (the South Porch) seen from the graveyard. This picture shows the full modern extent of the Abbey, to the right lies only ruins. |
Malmesbury is an old-established south Cotswold town in south west England in the county of Wiltshire. The town is close to Cirencester, Chippenham and Swindon and surrounded by rivers on three sides.
Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England, founded at the start of the 1st century BC. The town is famous for its 12th century Abbey. Some of the original abbey remains, though much was destroyed by a combination of fire and Henry VIII. Although once the centre of the lace-making industry, the industrial revolution has had little effect on the town. The railway station, built in 1877, was closed down in 1960.
Malmesbury is twinned with the German town of Niebüll and partnered with Gien in France.
See also
- Malmesbury Abbey
- William of Malmesbury - Famous historian
- Oliver of Malmesbury - The first man to fly by aid of wings.
- Thomas Hobbes ? A philosopher from Malmesbury
- James Dyson ? An inventor who set up the Dyson factory in Malmesbury