The Market Town of Malmesbury in the Southern Cotswold in the County of Wiltshire, England
Malmesbury is a market town in the southern Cotswolds in the county of Wiltshire, England. It sits on top of a plateau ringed by the River Avon and is called the “Queen of Hilltop Towns”. This town became known in the Middle Ages as a hub for learning because of the Malmesbury Abbey.
The town's history goes as far back as 500 BC. From recent excavation, it was found out that it used to be the site of an Anglo-Saxon fort in the Iron Age and a fortified settlement of Alfred the Great to ward off the Vikings. Athelstan, the first king of the English who died in 939 was buried in popular Abbey; The Town also hosts The Oak Bell, built in 1220, it is the oldest hotel in England.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Malmesbury
There is a range of choices of places to eat and drink in this culinary destination. There are restaurants, pubs, inns, tea rooms, delis and cafes offering a wide selection of menus for all types of budget. Europa & San Remo, The Birdcage, The Dining room at Whatley Manor, The Vine Tree, The Horse Guards and Thomas of Malmesbury are only some of the great places to eat in this town.
The honey-stoned streets of the town are crammed with a charming collection of 17th and 18th-century inns and shops sheltering under the shadow of the magnificent 17th-century abbey. In addition to the independent retailers, there is a weekly artisan and farmers market in town.
Most of the restaurants, pubs and inns in this place also offer accommodation to guests of the town. Also, there are also hotels, farmhouses, B&Bs. Guesthouses, and self-catering units to satisfy everyone’s preference and budget.
Things to See and Do in Malmesbury
After the monastery was founded in 676, this town fast became a mecca for learning and pilgrimage. In the 10th century Athelstan, the first English king, made this town his seat of power. He was eventually buried in the abbey. Besides exploring the monastery and its ground, visiting the Athelstan Museum and the original Market Cross, enjoying a walk along River Avon and viewing the spectacular skyline, there are enough things to see and do in this town to keep visitors occupied.