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You are here: Home > Things To Do > The Merchant's House

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The Merchant's House

132 High Street
Marlborough
Wiltshire
SN8 1HN

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01672 511491

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The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The garden, the Merchant's House Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House, Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House, Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House, Marlborough
  • The Merchant's House, Marlborough

About

The Merchant’s House

Self guided visits will be in operation on Tuesday to Friday, when the historic house and exhibition will be open (£10 per person, children free). Guided tours, subject to availability, are £15 adult, children free. Historic House Members get free entry with a valid HH membership card. For more information, please refer to the website.

About

The House of Thomas Bayly was built following the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653. Over the years 1653-1700 a fine timber and brick building was constructed, its interior panelled, brilliant with wall paintings and with a commanding oak staircase. A substantial amount of this fabric survives and hidden painted decoration is still being revealed.

Many of us are familiar with homes of the aristocracy; here is a rare opportunity to view a 17th century house of the type many of us might have lived in. Thomas was a prosperous silk mercer whose lifestyle is reflected in the spacious and elegant rooms on show.

The house is a living place. Throughout the season there are demonstrations of costume making, needlework and historic paint conservation. Musicians often play music appropriate to the period.

The conservation that is still taking place makes the Merchant's House a special and unusual visitor attraction. Each year more of its splendours are being revealed and many visitors return regularly to view progress on the project.

There is a shop within The Merchant's House stocking a wide range of gifts to suit all ages and occasions

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Child Under 16sFree
Guided£15.00 per ticket
Self-Guided£10.00 per ticket

Self guided Monday-Friday 10am - 3pm
Guided (please check website for availability)

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)
DayTimes
MondayClosed
Tuesday10:0015:00
Wednesday10:0015:00
Thursday10:0015:00
Friday10:0015:00

* General Opening Text

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Facilities for Disabled Visitors - stair lift to the first floor however the building has uneven floors and low ceilings throughout
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Ramp/Level Access - some areas

Attraction Facilities

  • Shop

Establishment Features

  • Open All Year

Group Travel

  • Out of Hours Visits

Key Features

  • Approx length of visit - one hour
  • In town/city centre
  • Indoor Attraction
  • No Smoking Attraction
  • Of historic, literary or architectural interest
  • Open by appointment outside normal opening times - House by appointment only. Shop open regular hours.

Parking & Transport

  • On Bus Route
  • Parking (charge) - town centre car parks

Payment Methods

  • Delta accepted
  • Maestro accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Solo accepted
  • Visa accepted - Accepted in Shop

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Demonstrations Given
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups - Please book in advance
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals - Tues, Fri & Sat from 1st April to 31 Oct

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Map & Directions

View Map

Road Directions

The main A4 London to Bath road runs through Marlborough - 30 miles from Bath and 75 miles from London. Use one of the town's many convenient car parks.

Public Transport Directions

There are regular bus services to Marlborough from surrounding towns and villages.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.4 of 5 stars
528 reviews
    • Excellent
      282
    • Very Good
      188
    • Average
      39
    • Poor
      9
    • Terrible
      10

    Recent Reviews:

    • Carolyn W
      Newbury, England, United Kingdom
      A very worthwhile place to visit
      5 of 5 stars
      Monday, 7th April 2025
      We had the pleasure of a guided tour of the Merchant’s House last Saturday. Our guide Robin did an excellent job and was incredibly informative on the history of both the house and Marlborough... Read full review
    • helgre2016
      Chelmsford, United Kingdom
      The Merchants House and a lot more
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 24th April 2025
      This was an amazing little find. Going in through what appeared to be a normal shop to an historic house that seemed to go up and back for miles. So much authentic orginal nooks and crannnies in the... Read full review
    • mrsbsouthend
      Rayleigh, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Friends getaway
      A snapshot to the past.
      4 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 4th May 2025
      Staying in Marlborough we visited the beautiful Merchants house. I was a bit concerned as my mum has a stroller/walks with a stick and we were not sure how it would work out. The staff in the shop at... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Awards

    • Regional and MiscellaneousWTTC Safe Travels WTTC Safe Travels 2021

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