Let’s move to Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Once a city famous throughout Medieval Europe, Malmesbury is a town of such character and beauty that it will charm any person who is lucky enough to visit. Sitting on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, the “Queen of the hilltop towns” is crowned by the magnificent 12th century Abbey. It is hard to imagine what the Abbey must have looked liked on its completion, when it was three times as large as the building which remains today. With a spire taller than that of Salisbury Cathedral – the tallest church spire in the UK today – it must have dominated the skyline for miles around. Just south of the Abbey is the 15th century Market Cross. According to a source of the time it was “a place for poor folkes to stand when the rain cometh”. The Market Cross stands at the top of High Street, a quintessential Cotswold street lined with limestone terraces which wind down the hill to the Avon River. Follow the street down and you will pass a variety of local cafés, pubs, boutiques and department stores. After a quick stroll around Malmesbury, it will be easy to understand what John Betjeman meant when he called the town, “a jewel in the crown of North Wiltshire”. What makes Malmesbury even more remarkable is its convenient location. It is just 40 minutes drive from the centre of Bristol and 30 minutes from Swindon. Yet, Malmesbury has retained its historic character while embracing a sustainable future. In a town which claims to be the oldest borough in England, the ancient and the modern blend harmoniously, while the grand Norman Abbey looks set to stand for another 900 years.
What can I get for my money?
Owing to Malmesbury’s ideal location between Bristol and London, the rental market is well served both in the town centre and the surrounding villages. Two bedroom properties start at about £450 per month in & around the town, while 3 to 4 bedroom properties range from £625 – £1,200 per month. The cheapest property for sale that I saw started at about £129,000 for a two bedroom retirement apartment located just half a mile from the town centre. Blount & Maslin (01666) 825725 had a good mid-range property listed at £225,000 for a 2 bedroom semi-detached Grade II listed cottage with views of the river. Higher up the price scale, the same agency had a five bedroom detached family house for £350,000. The property also has a conservatory, double garage, and private garden. Popular nearby villages include Lea and Charlton for access to Swindon and the East, and Sherston and Luckington for access to Bath and the West. Lea has a small C of E primary school, while Charlton has a charming 18th century inn recently voted 5th best pub in the UK by the Morning Advertiser. Sherston is a larger village with a doctor’s surgery, day nursery and two pubs, while Luckington has a pub and shop. In Charlton, Hamptons International (01285) 654535 had a first-floor duplex two-bedroom apartment set within a 17th century mansion house at £329,000. In Sherston, Blount & Maslin had a charming 3-bedroom stone cottage for sale at £395,000. A detached property, Fludde Cottage has open fireplaces and a beautiful garden.
Could you live here?
Westport Granary on Gloucester Road is an imposing Victorian (c1850s) 4 bedroom detached property located just five minutes walk from the town centre. Situated on a generous plot, this former mill offers spacious rooms over four floors, including a utility room and study. Access to this secluded property is via a long gravelled driveway. It is within 10 minutes walk of both Malmesbury C of E Primary School and Malmesbury School, making it an ideal family home. The property also has the potential to be converted into flats.
The house is on the market with Hamptons International at £660,000 (01285) 654535
Community
The A429 runs beside Malmesbury, providing a direct route north into the heart of the Cotswolds and south to Chippenham. The M4, five miles south of Malmesbury, makes the whole of the South West and London easily accessible by car. Kemble railway station is just eight miles from Malmesbury and provides fast and regular access to London and Bristol. Other rail stations are located in Chippenham (10 miles) and Swindon (16 miles).
Malmesbury boasts two pre-schools, four primary schools and an ‘Outstanding’- according to OFSTED – comprehensive school. The Malmesbury Music Academy (at Malmesbury Primary School) provides weekend musical education for children up to the age of 16. Adult education is on offer at nearby Wiltshire College in Chippenham, Cirencester College, and Swindon College. The town has three doctors’ surgeries and two dental surgeries, with two small hospitals in nearby Tetbury and Chippenham. Bigger hospitals are located in Cirencester and Swindon.
The Activity Zone (01666) 822533 is a short walk from the town centre and has a swimming pool, gym, sports hall and squash court. It also provides other activities, from intense workout classes such as ‘BodyPump’ to relaxing massages in the ‘Therapy Zone’.
Malmesbury is home to 83 different clubs and societies, meaning you will never have time to be bored. The clubs offer anything from singing to tennis, cycling to Tae Kwon Do and much more. The Film Society and Jazz Society provide great entertainment every week of the year, while the Mixed Morris Dancing club and Abbey Music Society give you the opportunity to have fun while learning a new art. For parents with children under six, the Music Monsters is a great place to enthuse your child with a passion for all things musical.
Around and about
Malmesbury is located less than an hour drive from some of the country’s greatest attractions. The pre-historic Avebury Stone Circle is just 40 minutes away, while Stonehenge is slightly further afield. Even closer to Malmesbury is Castle Combe – dubbed ‘The Prettiest Village in England’ – and nearby Lacock with its 13th century Abbey. Nature lovers will enjoy the Westonbirt Arboretum – home to a spectacular collection of trees – while the more adventurous can attempt the 100-mile Cotswold Trail. Kids will love the Cotswold Water Park near Cirencester, and the Cotswold Wildlife Park – complete with leopards and rhinos – in Burford.
Eating out
For a town of its size, Malmesbury has an excellent array of cafes, restaurants and pubs. The newly opened Jackdaws Coffee House (07789) 502786 in the Town Hall serves hot drinks, cakes and sandwiches, while Summer Café (01666) 822639 on High Street allows patrons to sit outside and take in the town’s historic character. For a pub with a view of the famous Market Cross and good home-cooked food, try The Whole Hog (01666) 825845. The Smoking Dog (01666) 82582) is an 18th century pub with log fires during the winter, good quality food and real ale. Look out for the 19th century Winged Wheel on the exterior wall; a sign to prove that the pub was a member of the ‘Cyclists’ Touring Club’. Curry lovers should try the Spice Merchant (01666) 823330 on Holloway which serves authentic cuisine from Northern India. The 2A Restaurant in Silver Street (01666) 824040 will be re-launching soon as “Barcetta” Italian Restaurant.
