About Melksham | Melksham Town Council

History

In a beautiful pocket of rural Wiltshire, Melksham is a lovely market town situated on the banks of the Bristol River Avon. It was once part of a vast royal forest - a favourite hunting ground of Tudor kings.

Melksham appears in the Domesday (Doomsday) Book and its prosperity was founded on agriculture and the woollen cloth industry, as well as being the site of the former Cooper/Avon Tires factory. Today the population is around 23,000 and it is the home of many other modern businesses based on new technology. The town centre has a beautiful historic quarter where St Michael & All Angels Church, Canon Square and Church Walk are located. The town also has an interesting blue plaque trail.

Location

Nearby are the historic villages of Lacock and Castle Combe with the Cotswolds in striking distance. The attractive and friendly town centre has many independent shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants, and a regular Tuesday Market.

What goes on in Melksham?

Compact and easily accessible, Melksham boasts several new features including the Community Campus, Library and Splash Pad, plus a refurbished cafe, new lighting, CCTV, WIFI and toilet facilities in King George V Playing Fields.

The Town Hall, Tourist Information Centre and play areas are all within walking distance of the town centre, which is well-equipped with a good mix of big-name supermarkets as well as independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs.

Melksham’s strongest feature however is its community spirit, and the area is served by a wealth of groups, clubs and societies that cater for all ages and tastes.
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This strong and vibrant community spirit ensures a busy calendar of events, including the annual Food and River Festival, the Melksham Christmas Market & Lights Switch On, weekly Park Runs and Park Yoga, and regular outdoor markets.

PHOTO GALLERY

Melksham at its best

Melksham residents take great pride in their town. Their dedication in adorning the town with fantastic floral displays throughout the summer has resulted in 'Gold' success in the Britain in Bloom competition.

The town's passion for floral displays is matched by the effort and creativity invested in the town's Christmas lights' display. The highly anticipated switching on of the Melksham Christmas Lights, a spectacular display created entirely by volunteers, takes place during the annual Christmas Market & Lights Switch On event.

Walks around Melksham

There are some beautiful walks in and around Melksham, including the Riverside Walk across the Millennium Bridge on the River Avon and trails along Clackers Brook. The Conigre Mead Nature Reserve is a fascinating and tranquil space hidden just a few minutes walk from the town centre. Managed by a team of enthusiastic volunteers, it is home to dragonflies, butterflies and the occasional kingfisher. The Kennet and Avon Canal also passes through Melksham, offering a great bike ride or walk to the famous Devizes Caen Hill Locks to the East, and Bradford on Avon and Bath to the West.

Alternatively, Walking in England has hundreds of FREE walks to download and print.

Melksham Grows

Melksham is continuing to expand due to its ideal location on the A350, a main North/South gateway through Wiltshire, its proximity to several leading independent schools and its accessibility to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

Melksham is well-served by several bus routes, including the National Express route between Bristol and London. An increased train service is now available from Melksham station with connections to Bristol and London. Melksham also provides an excellent location for exploring nearby Lacock and Avebury, the historic towns of Devizes and Bradford on Avon and the City of Bath.

About
Melksham Town

The ideal location to live, work and visit.