It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Sir John Sykes passed away on 15th October 2020.
To find out how to make a donation please click here.

To make a donation please either call the Trust Office on 01672 511491 or send a cheque made payable to The Merchant's House Trust to Katie Fairfax-Ross, Trust Manager, 132 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire SN8 1HN.  

Please use the Gift aid form as your donation will be worth an additional 25%.

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From Wednesday 2nd December
our Gift Shop will be open
every day until Christmas Eve.

Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm
Sundays 11am to 3pm
Thursday 24th December 10am to 3pm

The Merchant's House

Thomas Bayly, a silk mercer and prominent Marlborough citizen (twice Mayor), ran his business and brought up his family at what is now 132/3 High Street in a time of great change both locally and nationally.

In 1642 one of the earliest Civil War battles took place in the heart of the town and Marlborough gained a reputation for its firm commitment to the parliamentary cause.

Eleven years later, in 1653, the town was destroyed in a huge fire necessitating a rebuild of which the Merchant's House was part.

The house is a rare and remarkable survival.  It provides an insight into the lifestyle and interests of a middle-class family during a century when modern Britain - an outward looking, emerging capitalist country and one with a maturing political life - was coming into being.

We are learning a lot about the Baylys and 17th century Marlborough.  We hope a visit to this fascinating building will help you do the same.