Why is Marlborough called Marlborough?

Legend has it that the Mound is the burial site of Merlin and that the name of the town comes from Merlin’s Barrow. More plausibly, the town’s name possibly derives from the medieval term for chalky ground “marl”—thus, “town on chalk”.

Can you visit Marlborough Mound?

However, the mound is on the college’s private property and access for the general public is not possible. So, unusually for a scheduled monument of such importance, it cannot automatically become a new tourist attraction for Marlborough. The trustees of the Marlborough Mound Trust have a difficult job on their hands.

Who owns Marlborough common?

Marlborough Common. Owned by Marlborough Town Council, Marlborough Common was given to the borough by King John (reigned 1196 to 1216) as pasture for livestock. The Common is used for sport and recreation and is a popular spot for dog walking.

Is Marlborough UK a nice place to live?

BRITAIN’S best places to live have been revealed with Marlborough ranked highly in the South West. From job prospects and school rankings to broadband speed and community spirit, the list compiled by the Sunday Times revealed Marlborough and Tisbury as the only two towns in Wiltshire to be named.

Why is Marlborough famous?

Marlborough is about world famous Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand’s largest winegrowing region, and the soils and enviable climate that create it. It’s about fresh seafood sought by the world’s finest chefs. It’s about diverse landscapes, from valleys of vines to sheltered waterways of the Marlborough Sounds.

What is unusual about Silbury Hill?

The largest artificial mound in Europe, mysterious Silbury Hill compares in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids. Probably completed in around 2400 BC, it apparently contains no burial. Silbury Hill is part of the Avebury World Heritage Site, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Can you walk up Silbury Hill?

Visiting Silbury Hill There is no public access to the hill, in order to protect this important archaeological site. However, you can walk around the base of the mound and admire the view of this mysterious monument standing tall above the pretty Wiltshire countryside.

Is Marlborough UK safe?

Crime and Safety in Marlborough Marlborough is among the top 10 safest small towns in Wiltshire, and is the 79th most dangerous overall out of Wiltshire’s 276 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Marlborough in 2020 was 40 crimes per 1,000 people.

Where is Marlborough Castle?

Marlborough Castle, locally known and recorded in historical documents as The Mound, was an 11th-century royal castle located in the civil parish of Marlborough, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire, on the Old Bath Road, the old main road from London to Bath ( grid reference SU18376866 ).

What happened at Marlborough Castle in 1642?

In 1642 Marlborough’s peace was shattered by the English Civil War. The Seymours held the Castle for the King but the town was for Parliament. With his headquarters in nearby Oxford, King Charles had to deal with Marlborough.

What is Marlborough famous for?

Marlborough, in the north east corner of Wiltshire, is the archetypical English market town. In 1086, Marlborough was recorded in the Domesday Book as ‘Merleberge’. In later years it was a place where coins were minted, Tudor kings hunted for deer and coaches heading west from London stopped to feed and water their horses.

Where does the name Marlborough come from?

The town’s name is thought to come from the word ‘marl’, a medieval term for the chalk that underlies the town. The earliest sign of human habitation in what is now Marlborough is a Bronze Age burial mound in the grounds of Marlborough School.