Move to Marlborough?

[Gingeranimals]

What's Marlborough like as a place to live? DP and I are relocating due to work moving to Swindon and we don't know the area all that well but are very definite that we don't want to live in Swindon. We've done a bit of touring around the surrounding towns and villages and love Marlborough but just wondered if it's as nice to live in as it looks? Or is the traffic a total nightmare? Any insider info welcome!

Bump

I drive that way, traffic is bad through there at commuting times

Nice tea shop, oh and and record shop ... sorry looks a bit touristy to ke

Whereabouts in Swindon do you need to get to? To be honest, traffic is a nightmare during rush hour. It could take me up to 45 minutes to travel just a few miles at times. The journey from Marlborough isn’t that great either, depending on where you need to get to there’s quite a few winding and narrow lanes to navigate. Pretty rotten in bad weather and the dark nights.

Marlborough itself has gone downhill as well. It used to have quite a few quirky shops but many have closed and are now either charity shops or coffee places.

I would look at where in Swindon you will be working and then look at surrounding villages.

Marlborough is lovely (though I've not lived there). Where in Swindon is your DH going to be working? Traffic around Swindon can be horrific at rush hour, so if he needs to get across the town the commute might be a bit of a pain.

Marlborough is nice but expensive and full of wealthy older people. Traffic is dire. Commuting to Swindon could be difficult depending where you need to get to.

I prefer Royal Wootton Bassett.

Given Swindon traffic, would it be worth looking at nearby towns with train links to Swindon? (Depending on where you are working)

Marlborough has a nice high street and people I know who live there seem to like it. If you want somewhere about the same distance with a bit of charm but also some life then I would prefer Cirencester. Cricklade is also nice but a lot smaller.

Lots of less touristy small villages in surrounding Swindon . Minety , Cricklade , Lechlade, Bishopstone , Depends on your need.

Not sure why 'full of wealthy older people' is mentioned as a negative by a PP. My nearest town is full of 'skint, feral teenagers with no manners who push people off the pavement' and I know which I'd prefer to run into every time I pop into town.

Traffic is an issue, commute to Swindon will be a pain! Schools are generally good. Crime low, although drugs are an issue. Lots of retired people live there. Lovely countryside, especially the forest, nearby.

Marlborough is really lovely with a really good state secondary if that's of interest. I went there (but it's still supposed to be very good now). Gorgeous area but not cheap. It's never over run with tourists which is something I really appreciated considering how lovely it is, lots of cafes including independent ones and a Waitrose, very safe. For me none of the other places mentioned are as nice as Marlborough. Traffic can be busy at times, but where isn't it?

@Alighttouchonthetiller it could be a negative for a young couple with young children.

Mind you there’s a long way between posh old boys in red trousers and feral youths!

Thanks all for your insights 😃 We have found a house we like on the north edge of Marlborough. It’s actually my job we’re moving for, and the office is on the south side of Swindon so hopefully commute won’t be too horrific. Fingers crossed it all goes well!

Depends where you’re moving from, but it’s tiny. Pretty, though.

I lived in Swindon a few years ago. It’s lovely in Marlborough but like other posters have suggested it can be a nightmare with traffic from Swindon. There are actually loads of nice villages around Swindon that are closer. Wroughton and Purton are good.