Photo source: Пресс-центр Правительства Тульской области., CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Merchants House is a Grade II* listed museum in Wiltshire, cared for by English Heritage. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.
About The Merchants House
The Merchant's House in Marlborough was built for Thomas Bayly, a silk mercer, after the Great Fire of Marlborough in 1653.
The timber and brick building went up in stages between 1653 and 1700, and it still holds its original wooden panelling, painted walls and a carved oak staircase.
The Merchant's House Trust, a registered charity established in 1991, manages the building as a museum and continues restoration work room by room.
History of The Merchants House
The Merchant's House Trust was established in 1991 to take on the building and begin its conservation, after long stretches of the house's history had seen its original decoration covered over. Since then, work has gone on room by room to uncover and preserve the panelling, wall paintings and staircase fitted out for Thomas Bayly in the late seventeenth century.
Architecture of The Merchants House
The house combines timber framing with brick, built in phases between 1653 and 1700 in the rebuilding that followed the Great Fire of Marlborough, and it retains an oak staircase and painted wall decoration from its original fitting-out as a merchant's residence.
Gardens & grounds at The Merchants House
A small garden forms part of the visitor route, restored alongside the house itself.
Facilities
Plan your visit to The Merchants House
Nearest station: Pewsey Rail Station (5.7 miles)
Open April to October, check official website for specific dates.
Places to visit near The Merchants House
Piggledene
View Piggledene on heritage mapThe Sanctuary
View The Sanctuary on heritage mapWest Kennet Avenue
View West Kennet Avenue on heritage mapWest Kennet Long Barrow
View West Kennet Long Barrow on heritage mapHistoric places nearby
Within 5 miles of The Merchants House (SN8) there are 2 historic properties, including 1 historic building and 1 archaeological site, across English Heritage and National Trust sites.
Within 10 miles of The Merchants House (SN8) there are 14 historic properties, including 5 historic buildings, 4 archaeological sites and 2 churchs, across English Heritage, National Trust and Churches Conservation Trust sites.
Within 20 miles of The Merchants House (SN8) there are 45 historic properties, including 13 historic buildings, 10 historic houses and 9 archaeological sites, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.
Facts
A 17th-century silk merchant's house being restored room by room, its discoveries still unfolding for returning visitors.
- Type
- museum
- Location
- Wiltshire, England
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