Savernake Oaks and The Merchant House

This one-day itinerary will take you to historic Savernake Forest – an ancient royal hunting forest – and to the beautifully restored Merchant’s House in the centre of Marlborough.

Spend a morning in the Savernake Forest, discovering ancient oaks that go back over 1,000 years. Two walks take you on either a 6-mile hike or a much shorter children’s “acorn trail” for little legs.

Relax over lunch in Marlborough afterwards and then book in for an afternoon’s guided tour of the magnificent Merchant’s House on Marlborough High Street, once owned by prosperous silk merchant, Thomas Bayly and painstakingly restored to its lavish former glory.  Worth a visit for the fantastic gift shop downstairs alone.

Finding the ancient oaks of Savernake Forest

2 to 2.5 hours

Walk leaflet also available from Marlborough Town Council.

There’s plenty of choice on where to eat in Marlborough – just have a look here.

The Merchant’s House is a beautifully restored house in the High Street of Marlborough. 

Be enthralled as the guide takes you around the house and garden – restored as they would have been in the 17th century.  Find out how Thomas Bayly and his family would have lived and worked here and marvel at the splendid interiors.

As well as guided tours, which we would highly recommend, there is a fabulous ground floor shop with exquisite gifts, homewares and mementoes of your visit.

You must book your guided tour in advance.