Town GuideOctober 2015 - September 2016

V I B R A N T • T R E A S U R E D • H I S T O R I C

www.discovermalmesbury.life

Welcome to your

Town GuideSimply unfold and begin to...

VibrantTreasured

and Historic

V I B R A N T • T R E A S U R E D • H I S T O R I C

Produced by Malmesbury Town Team in partnership with Malmesbury Town Council

Photos courtesy of Robert Peel • Design by www.frontroommarketing.com

Malmesbury Town CouncilCharter 880ad

Useful maps, top attractions, festivals, events, culture, fascinating history, suggested walks and much more.

Bus ServiceFor bus timetables and maps,

please visit: www.connectingwiltshire.co.uk

Town HallAt the heart of Malmesbury

Tourist Information Centre Lots of useful information and helpful staff with local knowledge. Malmesbury Town Hall, Cross Hayes, SN16 9BZ Tel: 01666 823748

www.discovermalmesbury.life @malmesburylife

malmesburylife

Station Road Car ParkThe perfect spot to leave your car whether it’s just for a couple of hours or the full day. Plus recycling facilities and a great river walk!SN16 9JT

2 hours FREE parking inStation Road car park

TaxisAbbey Taxis: 01666 826072

Peter Woods Taxis: 07730 884807

Home of Malmesbury Town Council and hired by clubs, associations, businesses and individuals, the Town Hall serves Malmesbury and parishes beyond. Open for Council business or bookings from 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday, except for Bank Holidays.

Malmesbury Town Hall, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 9BZ. Tel: 01666 822143 www.malmesbury.gov.uk

Useful Contacts

www.discovermalmesbury.life

@malmesburylife

malmesburylife

Get Social!

Go Discover!PastAs England’s oldest borough and Queen of Hilltop Towns, Malmesbury is rich in history. The skyline, complete with 12th century Abbey is instantly recognisable. Home to kings, flying monks, philosophers and our Warden and Freemen, there’s a lot to discover!

PresentFull of vibrant energy and well established as home to famous & popular musical, cultural and festival events. A busy calendar and bustling local High Street makes Malmesbury the perfect town for residents and visitors.

FutureAn exciting town with big ideas; new and enterprising concepts are home grown right here. From Dyson HQ to skateboarding in the Abbey, TV show inventors, award winning art projects, start-ups and promising young enterprise – it’s all happening.

Cinderella Pantomime26 - 28 November 2015 www.athelstanplayers.org

Westonbirt Enchanted Christmas27 November to 20 December 2015 www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-christmas

Malmesbury Christmas Late Night Shopping 4 December 2015 www.discovermalmesbury.life

Malmesbury Abbey Skate 17 - 19 February 2016 www.malmesburyabbey.com/skate

Badminton Horse Trials4 - 8 May 2016 www.badminton-horse.co.uk

The Cotswolds Show and Food Festival2 - 3 July 2016www.thecotswoldshow.co.uk

Malmesbury Carnival and Festival July to September 2016www.malmesburycarnival.co.uk

Festivals and Events

@malmesburylife malmesburylife

www.historyweekend.com

BBC History WeekendMalmesbury 15 -18 October 2015

SAVEthe DATES!

WOMAD28 - 31 July 2016 www.womad.co.uk

Fieldview Festival4 - 7 August 2016 www.fieldviewfestival.co.uk

BoondocksCheck the website for informationwww.theboondocksfestival.co.uk

Malmesbury Philosophy FestivalCheck the website for informationwww.discovermalmesbury.life

www.discovermalmesbury.life

Movies @ Malmesbury www.malmesbury.gov.uk/cinema

Malmesbury Abbey Music Societywww.mamsmusic.co.uk

Malmesbury Acoustics www.malmesbury-acoustic- sessions.co.uk

Regular Events

Artisan and Farmers’

MarketEvery Friday

Malmesbury

9am to 3pm - Market Cross

Local & fresh produce, foods and more!

Every Friday - Artisan and Farmers’ Market Market Cross 9am to 3pm

The Abbey

Market Cross

Abbey House Gardens

Athelstan Museum

Top Attractions

Need a bed for the night? Accommodation right in the heart of the town. Great for friends, family and visitors.

Bed & BreakfastEuclid Villas

01666 822388Kinfield

01666 825041The Lodge at the Rookery

01666 829363Whychurch Farmhouse

01666 822156

CampsitesBurton Hill Caravan and Camping Park

01666 826880Whychurch Camping

01666 822156Self-CateringBraxted Cottage

01666 825288

HotelsThe Kings Arms

01666 823383The Old Bell Hotel

01666 822344

Hungry and searching for somewhere?Eat your heart out with a tasty selection of cafés, pubs, restaurants and takeaways.

RestaurantsEuropa Cuisine01666 823227

Rajah01666 826677

The Birdcage01666 825505

The Kings Arms01666 823383

The Old Bell Hotel 01666 822344

The Spice Merchant 01666 823330

Pubs & Wine BarsThe Parting Glass 01666 826464

The Rose and Crown01666 822575

The Smoking Dog01666 825823

The Three Cups01666 823897

The Whole Hog01666 825845

CafésAmanda’s Bistro01666 829356

Capers Café & Deli01666 824744

Jackdaws Café01666 238017

The Abbey Kitchen01666 826666

The Summer Café01666 822639

Waitrose ‘Eat In’ 01666 825025

Fancy a spot of retail therapy?The town centre showcases a collection of unique, independent shops exclusive to Malmesbury plus many High Street names.

Retail Therapy

www.discovermalmesbury.life

The Triangle this way

Tourist Information Centre

The Co-operative Food Supermarket

Gifts, Fashion & Jewellery• A.R. Woodward Jewellers

• Amano

• ASM Outfitters

• BeauBelle Lingerie

• Boho & Company

• Clarks

• French Grey

• Lula & Sailor

• Mistral

• Paul Newton Goldsmith

• Sassy & Boo

• Spoilt For Choice

• The Cherry Tree

• The Workbox

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Banks• Barclays

• HSBC

• Lloyds

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Food & Drink• Halls Cotswold Bakers

• Karen’s Sweet Treats

• Leonard Walker Butchers

• Premier Express

• The Co-operative Food, High Street

• The Old Bakehouse

• Thomas of Malmesbury Butchers

• The Wild Food Company

• The Co-operative Food Supermarket

• Waitrose Supermarket

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Everything Else• A4 Stationers

• Cotswold Stitchcraft

• David Brooks Antiques

• E & S Shops

• Flowers Galore

• Great British Gardens

• H J Knee

• J & M Flooring

• Malmesbury Dry Cleaner

• The George Veterinary Group

• The Grooming Room

• The Old Kit Box

• WH Smith

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Leisure & Activities • CH White & Son Cycles

• Game Expert

• Grant Barnes & Son Saddlery

• Malmesbury Pottery

• Miles Morgan Travel

• The Sports & Leisure Shop

• The Activity Zone Leisure Centre

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Health & Beauty• 9A Barbers

• Boots

• Clearcut

• Cuttin’Um Palace

• Glow Holistic & Beauty

• Haine and Smith Opticians

• Hair&Nails@44

• J M Forss Opticians

• Lloyds Pharmacy

• Salon Hair Design Studio

• Salon Forty Seven

• The Oxford Practice

• The Hair Studio

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• Dorothy House Hospice Shop

• Oxfam

• Sue Ryder

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2hoursFREEparking inStation Roadcar park

MARKET CROSS

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OXFORD STREET

ST DENNIS ROAD

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ABBEY ROW

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31 Waitrose Supermarket

The Activity Zone Leisure Centre

Fascinating History

 

 

 

 

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Build your own walk, here’s a few ideas:

Visit www.discovermalmesbury.lifefor more walks.

C800BC

Iron Age hill fort discovered

c.671-675

Aldhelm becom

es Abbey’s first Abbot

709

St. Aldhelm dies

937

Athelstan becomes first

king of all England

1005

Elmer the Flying M

onk took flight from

the Abbey with

homem

ade wings

1086

Malm

esbury heads list in W

iltshire D

omesday Book

1095

The ‘Father of English H

istory’, William

of M

almesbury w

as born

1180 Building at the Abbey is completed 1480 The Abbey spire falls

down 1490 Malmesbury Market Cross built 1588 Thomas Hobbes born in

Westport area of Malmesbury 1539 Malmesbury Abbey dissolved by Henry VIII 1643

Mal

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bury

cha

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nds

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ivil

War

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ynno

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V I B R A N T • T R E A S U R E D • H I S T O R I C

www.discovermalmesbury.life@malmesburylife malmesburylife

In the Area• Daniel’s Well

• St Aldhem’s Mead Park

• Silk Mills

• St John’s Almshouses

• St John’s Bridge

• War Memorial

• Bowling Green

• Conygre Mead

• King Athelstan’s Tomb

• Goose BridgeBowood House and Gardens

Nr Chippenham, SN11 0LZ

Castle Combe Village and Race CircuitNr Chippenham, SN14 7BW

City of BathSomerset, BA1 1LY

Cotswold Water ParkSouth Cerney, GL7 5TL

Dyrham ParkNr Bath, SN14 8HY

Highgrove Royal GardensTetbury

Lacock AbbeyWiltshire, SN15 2LG

Longleat House, Safari and Adventure ParkWarminster, BA12 7NW

Westonbirt AboretumGloucestershire, GL8 8QS

Roman AmphitheatreCirencester, GL7 1XW

StonehengeAmesbury, SP4 7DE

STEAM Museum of the Great Western Railway

Swindon, SN2 2EY

Lydiard House and Park

Swindon, SN5 3PA

The AbbeySeen from miles around this 12th century Abbey is the jewel of the town with over 65,000 visitors every year. The impressive architecture, rich history, religious prominence, and exciting events calendar make it a popular destination. You’ll even find a Café and Bookshop inside!

Hannah TwynnoyA well-known tale dating back to 1703, Hannah is rumoured to be the first person in Britain to be killed by a tiger after it escaped from a travelling circus. Hannah’s tombstone, found in the Abbey grounds records the extraordinary event.

The Old Bell HotelBuilt to accommodate scholars studying at the Abbey and reputed to be England’s oldest hotel, this Grade 1 listed building stands on foundations dating back to 1220.

Market CrossDating back to 1490, the Market Cross stands on an 11th century graveyard. Intended as a sheltered civic meeting place, the Market Cross remains a social centre for events, gatherings and a weekly market.

Abbey House GardensWith over 1,300 years of history, the first ‘King of all England’ buried somewhere in the gardens and two saints thrown down the well, the gardens have many stories to tell. Tourists and residents alike are drawn to the tranquil haven and the rare and beautiful views have given it the reputation as one of the great gardens of the world.

Town Hall and Information CentreThe Town Hall is a charming and impressive building dating from the early 19th century, now a great local resource for business, community and council groups alike. Home to Movies @ Malmesbury, the Athelstan Museum, the John Bowen Gallery, Tourist Information Centre and Jackdaws Café.

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Great Walks!

Station RoadCar Park

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TouristInformation Centre

Town Hall &Museum

2hoursFREEparking inStation Roadcar park

Artisan and Farmers’

MarketEvery Friday

Malmesbury

9am to 3pm - Market Cross

Local & fresh produce, foods and more!

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Athelstan MuseumNamed after the first 'King of all England', Athelstan Museum tells the history of a town built to a Saxon road plan on the site of a 4,500 year old hill fort and the surrounding area. You’ll find it in our bustling Town Hall.