Malmesbury, Wiltshire

Malmesbury in Wiltshire is a beautiful hilltop town surrounded by picturesque views. Its unique setting offers so much more, with a rich and rewarding history, lively town centre, interesting independent shops, great places to eat, drink and stay. Malmesbury is the ideal place to stop and explore on your Great West Way journey, with easy walking routes to discover other parts of Wiltshire, plus key transport links to embark further along the Great West Way route into the Cotswolds, or towards Bath and Bristol.

A Historic Market Town on the Great West Way

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, with the streets still following 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…

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.

Malmesbury Abbey and Key Heritage Attractions

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

Exploring the Town Centre of Malmesbury

See the latest Malmesbury Visitor Guide, which showcases several independent businesses, including cafes, restaurants, pubs and local shops in Malmesbury centre, all as a way of celebrating the many delights found in the idyllic town and the benefits of shopping locally.

Walkers and cyclists using Malmesbury as a base are also well catered for, with a range of historic paths to explore during your visit to this Wiltshire town. 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 starts at the centre of the pretty town, passing the impressive Malmesbury Abbey, and follows the two branches of the River Avon which surround the town. There are also guided walks from the Town Hall each Thursday afternoon at 2:30pm from April to September.

Lower Moor, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

Just outside Malmesbury is Lower Moor, one of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s stunning landscapes and the perfect place for a walk all year round. Made up of 4 reserves, each offers fascinating contrasts with lakes, woodland, meadows, and ancient boardwalks.

Malmesbury Accommodation

There is plenty of accommodation in Malmesbury, perfect for families of all ages. Whether you wish to unwind in a luxury country house hotel, or historic accommodation in the centre, Malmesbury is the perfect place to enjoy a rural retreat in Witlshire.

The Old Bell Hotel

Centrally located next to Malmesbury Abbey is The Old Bell Hotel, said to be the oldest hotel in England dating back to 1220! Hints of its heritage can be found throughout the property, blended perfectly with contemporary design in the hotel’s interior decoration.

The hotel offers the perfect location, with shops and restaurants just around the corner. And better yet, The Old Bell is completely pet-friendly!

Planning Your Visit to Malmesbury

Malmesbury offers an exciting programme of annual events, perfect for all ages! From festivals and craft fairs, to walking trails within National Landscapes. Malmesbury’s annual event calendar includes the Food Festival in May, Malmesbury in Bloom throughout the summer, Carnival during August and early September, and Wessex Week in October. Discover Malmesbury, will help you plan your visit to Malmesbury during these events.