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Statement on Coronavirus

In order to safeguard the health of all those associated with the Merchant's House our House and Garden, Gift Shop and Museum are now closed, and all our events and guided tours have been postponed. This will be kept under constant review, and we will re-open as soon as it is safe to do so. We all very much look forward to the time when The Merchant's House is once again vibrant and bustling with activity.

For further details see our News page.  There is also an update from the Chair of The Merchant's Trust in our Spring 2020 Newsletter.

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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.