The Merchant’s House

About the museum

The Merchant’s House stands at 132 and 133 High Street in Marlborough and is a Grade II* listed building. It belonged to the silk merchant Thomas Bayly, who largely rebuilt it after the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653. The house was altered and extended until about 1700 and was later divided up and sublet to many occupants. WH Smith bought number 132 in 1926 and stayed there until 1991, when Marlborough Town Council bought it.

The Merchant’s House Trust has saved and restored the building since 1991. It bought number 133 in 1999, reuniting the two halves of the house, and acquired the Printworks building at the rear in 2002. The garden, designed by Jeffery Galvin-Wright and reflecting features of the 1700s, opened in 2007 and was named Wiltshire Garden of the Year in 2009. The Marlborough Museum opened in number 133 in 2018.

Visitors see restored interiors with painted wall decoration, a panelled chamber and a decorated staircase, furnished with pictures and objects almost all from the 17th century. Guided tours are available, and there is a gift shop.

Highlights

• Restored interiors of a 17th-century silk merchant’s house
• Painted wall decoration in the dining chamber and a panelled chamber
• Historic garden with old apple varieties, herbs and tulips
• Marlborough Museum on the history of the town and nearby villages
• Guided tours and gift shop

Permanent exhibitions

• The Merchant’s House – Restored rooms of the 17th-century silk merchant’s house, with painted wall decoration, a panelled chamber and period furniture and pictures.
• Marlborough Museum – Objects and displays on the history of Marlborough and nearby villages, housed in number 133 High Street.

Founded

1991

Operated by

The Merchant’s House (Marlborough) Trust

Admission & discounts

General admission needs no booking and costs £11 per adult, or £12.10 with Gift Aid. Guided tours cost £16, or £17.60 with Gift Aid. Historic House members and Friends of The Merchant’s House are admitted free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Because of the age of the building, floors are uneven with changes of level throughout. The shallow main staircase is uneven and doorframes may be too narrow for a wide wheelchair, so some rooms cannot be fully accessed but can be viewed. Visitors are asked to call ahead for more detail. There are no public toilets.

Kids & families

School groups, home-education groups, Guides, Scouts and other groups are welcome.

Getting there & parking

The house is on the north side of the High Street, about 100 yards from the Town Hall. From London take the M4 to junction 14 and the A4; from the west take the M4 to junction 15 and the A346.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

The house has a gift shop but no café; Marlborough High Street has many cafés, pubs and restaurants. Toilets are not available.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit