The rebirth of a Merchant's House
The Merchant’s House (nos. 132 and 133) is a Grade II* structure located in the centre of Marlborough’s historic High Street. Following The Fire of Marlborough in 1653, the house was largely rebuilt by wealthy silk merchant, Thomas Bayly. The house was altered, extended and extended until about 1700. After this, the house was sub-divided and sublet with many different people occupying the building.
WH Smith purchased the house (no.132) in 1926 and remained in the building until 1991. Marlborough Town Council bought no. 132 in 1991, from who The Merchant’s House Trust pays a peppercorn rent.
The Merchant’s House Trust bought 133 High Street in 1999 which reunited the two halves of the building.
In 2002, the building at the rear of the main house ‘The Printworks’ was bought by the Trust. Named after the former use of the building by Lucy’s, it is now used as a private residence and the Trust Offices.
The Merchant’s House Garden (click here) was designed by Jeffery Galvin-Wright and opened in 2007. The garden incorporates features and layout typical of the time of Thomas Bayly in the 1700’s. A collection of old varieties of apple trees, medlar and quince trees are to be found nestling alongside herbs and tulips displayed amongst box and hornbeam hedging. The garden was named Wiltshire Garden of the Year in 2009.
The Marlborough Museum was opened in 2018 (no. 133). The aim of the museum is to showcase the rich history of Marlborough and the surrounding villages though collections of artefacts and displays. In addition to the museum, the Trust has an extensive collection of photographs, maps, books and other research material about Marlborough. Click here if you wish to visit us.
The considerable expense of conservation, restoration and development has been met with the assistance of substantial grants, donations from charitable, business and private donors, profits from the Trust’s gift shop and support from its Friends. In addition appropriate furniture, pictures and artefacts, almost entirely of the 17th century, have been purchased which greatly enhance the historic atmosphere of this remarkable building.
The Trust is proud of its achievement since 1991 in saving a unique and now nationally recognised building and so making a substantial contribution to Marlborough’s cultural and historical life