Local information for Melksham, Wiltshire, SN12 7FP
A wealth of stunning natural scenery and unspoiled landscape make up
the county of Wiltshire, along with a colourful and rich heritage. The
small town of Melksham has its own historical influences. Once part of a
vast royal forest which was a favourite hunting ground of Tudor Kings,
it evolved at a ford across the River Avon. It is believed that its name
derives from Meolcham, 'Meolc' being an old English word for milk and
'ham', a farm. A mixture of pretty terraced cottages and grand town
houses make up the old part of the town, which historically, had its
fair share of entrepreneurs, villains and royal property owners.
The main industry in the area was cloth, with the last working cloth
mill auctioned in 1888, and now incorporated into the Cooper Avon Tyre
factory, an American company and the largest employer in Melksham today.
Melksham is also well known from 1940 up until 1965 as a training centre for RAF personnel. Aircraft would only have been seen on the ground at open days by the local people, not in the air, as the base had no runway and was used for training purposes only. After being used for training the aircraft were then dismantled. Today Melksham is a bustling town, retaining a quiet charm and proud trading heritage.
For everyday life, the town boasts a fine selection of shops and essential services ranging from major high street names to individual, specialist retailers, meeting all of your requirements. Tempting places to eat and drink include cafes, tea shops, traditional pubs, bars and restaurants.
A superb all year round programme of cultural arts and entertainment events won't disappoint, including sports and leisure opportunities, festivals, and numerous places of interest to visit in the surrounding areas.
Dauncey Gardens' idyllic situation combines beautiful countryside, a bustling town and excellent positioning for superb road and rail links. Easy motorway access via the M4 leads to major cities including London, Bristol, Swindon and Oxford.
- Train Station: 6 miles
- Main Roads: 0.3 miles
- Motorways: 10 miles
- Nearest Towns: 1 miles
- Primary Schools: 2 miles
- Secondary Schools: 2 miles
- Airport: 33 miles
- Hospital: 1 miles