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Melksham has a unique and varied history. We have an exciting Blue Plaque trail of eleven plaques across Melksham for you to follow and there are a number of interesting features and facts about the town. Some snippets of Melksham’s history are given as a flavour here, but for more in-depth information, contact the Melksham and District Historical Association or visit the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.
It is believed that there has been a settlement in the Melksham area since the early Neolithic or Bronze Ages. A prehistoric crocodile found near Melksham and named after the town (Ieldraan melkshamensis) was held in the Natural History Museum since 1875. In the Domesday Book, the royal manor of Melksham was valued at £111.11s and had eight mills. It is believed that at least two of these mills may have still been in use into the mid-1900s.
Melksham’s weaving industry is mentioned as early as 1349 and seems to have been most prosperous in the 16th and 17th centuries. There were two fulling mills in Melksham in 1555, one of which was converted to a corn mill in 1793 following the decline of the cloth industry.
Since 1890, Melksham has been well-known for the large presence of the Avon India Rubber Company within the town. With various incarnations both in name and rubber products, Avon Technologies is still present in the town, although Cooper Tires (who bought Avon Tyres in 1997) closed in 2024. The striking Avon Tyres buildings and ironwork archway remain.
In 1977 the Melksham Creamery became the first dairy in the UK to use flow meters to measure the farmers’ milk supplies. The creamery had originally been a family-run dairy which was sold to the North Wiltshire Dairy Company in 1896. In 1899, the Melksham site was the largest in the group. In 1959 the factory’s canteen was used to film ‘Any Questions?’ by the BBC.
A Melksham Bank was established in 1792 and, after various sales and mergers, was eventually taken over by Lloyds Bank in 1918. Today, there are only two building societies that remain in Melksham, with a Barclays drop-in service held at the library twice a week. A post office has been in existence in the town since 1782, with the first uniformed postman being introduced in 1793.
Markets in the town have been a central part of the community over the years, with a bespoke Cheese Market opening in 1847, costing £3,000. The building is now known as the Assembly Hall with the Market Hall becoming the Town Hall.
Community Spirit in Melksham: Past and Present
Melksham has always been a town that cares a place where community support and compassion are part of everyday life. While today we have food banks, volunteer networks, and community groups working tirelessly to support those in need, this spirit of helping others has deep historical roots.
Records from as far back as 1685 show that Melksham provided ‘Dole’, or poor relief, to its most vulnerable residents every Friday. By 1835, this commitment to care had grown, with blankets distributed at Christmas thanks to a generous bequest. From this tradition, the Melksham Fund was established created specifically to provide blankets and clothing to those in need during the harsh winter months.
Today, that same sense of solidarity lives on. Local organisations, charities, and volunteers continue to make a real difference, offering practical support and a helping hand to individuals and families facing hardship. From community centres and outreach programmes to warm spaces and donation drives, Melksham continues to build on its legacy of kindness and inclusion.
Building Connections: The Story of Melksham’s Infrastructure
Melksham’s development has long been shaped by the changing needs of its people and the innovations of the times. From historic coaching inns to modern transport links, the town’s infrastructure has played a central role in connecting the community — both locally and beyond.
Located in the heart of town, the King’s Arms Hotel was built around 1750, marking a key moment in Melksham’s growth. When toll roads were rerouted, stagecoach traffic from London began passing through the town. To support this booming trade, the hotel was equipped with stabling for at least 50 horses, allowing for frequent changes every 8–10 miles a vital part of travel in the era.
Melksham’s transport links expanded further with the arrival of the Wilts, Somerset & Weymouth Railway Companyin 1848. A railway line from Thingley Junction (near Chippenham) to Westbury brought a station to Melksham, just north of the Avon Bridge. By 1850, the line was operated by the Great Western Railway (G.W.R.), offering new opportunities for travel and trade. Although the station closed in 1966, it was successfully reopened in 1985, and continues to serve the town today.
Infrastructure improvements continued into the 19th and 20th centuries, bringing essential services to the growing population. Piped water was introduced in 1880, celebrated with the installation of a public water fountain in Market Square a symbol of civic progress. The telephone network followed in 1898, provided by the National Telephone Company, bringing the town into a new era of communication.
Melksham’s commitment to wellbeing was further strengthened in 1938 with the opening of a new 43-bed community hospital, officially opened by the Marquis of Bath. This modern facility replaced the original Cottage Hospital on Bank Street, offering improved healthcare to local residents and marking a new chapter in public health for the town.
From historic coaching routes to essential services and modern transport, Melksham’s infrastructure continues to support a growing, connected, and forward-looking community.
Notable Names Linked with Melksham
Melksham may be a modest market town, but it has welcomed its share of remarkable visitors and residents over the centuries. From royalty and military leaders to poets and pioneering engineers, these connections enrich the town’s fascinating heritage.
A brother to Queen Jane Seymour and uncle to King Edward VI, Sir Thomas Seymour briefly owned the Manor of Melksham in 1541. A powerful and controversial figure in Tudor England, his association links Melksham to one of the most dramatic periods in British history.
According to local tradition, Oliver Cromwell once had breakfast at The Bell Inn and stayed at Woolmore Farmduring the English Civil War. Nearby, a tree known as Cromwell’s Oak still stands — said to have been used for hanging unruly soldiers. Whether fact or folklore, these stories are woven into the fabric of Melksham’s past.
In 1862, the renowned novelist and poet Thomas Hardy proposed marriage to Mary Waight, a Melksham-born woman seven years his senior. She declined — but the story offers a touching glimpse into Hardy’s early romantic life and his ties to the town.
Less widely known, but highly influential, John Fowler was born in Melksham and went on to revolutionise agriculture with his invention of the steam plough. His work greatly advanced farming practices in the 19th century and left a lasting legacy on modern agriculture.
One of Britain’s most celebrated military leaders, the Duke of Wellington visited Melksham in 1829. His visit underscored the town’s importance at the time and is still remembered with pride.
Engineering visionary Isambard Kingdom Brunel also passed through Melksham, stopping for lunch at Place Housein 1850. As the mastermind behind the Great Western Railway, his presence in the town marked an important moment in its transport history.
More recently, in September 2019, HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Melksham to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the town’s Royal Market Charter — a milestone that honours Melksham’s long-standing role as a thriving market town.
From kings’ courtiers to engineers of empire, Melksham’s history is touched by notable figures whose stories live on in our streets, buildings, and legends.
Sustainability in Melksham: A Tradition of Environmental Awareness
Melksham has long been a town with a deep connection to the land and a forward-thinking approach to sustainability. From pioneering innovations in waste management to careful stewardship of its natural resources, Melksham’s commitment to sustainability stretches back centuries.
One of Melksham’s most notable figures in the history of sustainability is Henry Moule, who became the curate of St Michael’s Church in 1823. Moule is credited as a pioneer of the earth closet toilet, a sustainable sanitation system that used dry earth to compost waste rather than relying on water or harmful chemicals. His work laid the foundation for modern ecological toilets and highlighted Melksham’s early engagement with environmentally-conscious practices.
In 1813, the discovery of mineral waters in Melksham sparked hopes that the town could rival Bath as a leading spa destination. Although the spa itself was short-lived, closing in 1822, this brief period of spa development speaks to the town’s historic relationship with natural resources and its potential for sustainable tourism.
The nearby Melksham Forest was a vital resource for centuries, with oak trees from the forest being used in significant projects. In 1236, twenty oak trees from the forest were used to create the stalls in Salisbury Cathedral — a stunning example of sustainable timber use. Even King Henry III recognised the value of the forest, granting Lacock Abbey a cartload of firewood from the forest every week starting in 1242. Unfortunately, by 1610, deforestation had taken its toll, and the forest was no more, marking a critical moment in the town’s history of resource management.
Melksham’s past is rich with stories of sustainability, from innovations in waste management to careful stewardship of its forests and natural resources. Today, this legacy continues, with the town fostering environmentally-conscious initiatives that look to a greener, more sustainable future.
Sport and Recreation in Melksham
Melksham has a proud tradition of sport and recreation that continues to thrive today. With strong local clubs, community support, and modern facilities, sport plays a vital role in bringing people together and promoting health and wellbeing across the town.
Football has deep roots in Melksham. Melksham Football Club was founded in 1876, making it one of the oldest clubs in the region. In 1894, it became a founding member of the Wiltshire League, helping to shape the county’s competitive football scene.
Between 1920 and 1926, the club played under the name Melksham and Avon United, reflecting its close ties with the local Avon Rubber Company, which played a key role in the town’s industrial history. Today, Melksham Town FC continues to thrive, representing the town with pride and passion.
Rugby came to the town a little later, with the formation of Melksham Rugby Club in 1978. The team began as a works side for Avon Tyres and has grown into a vibrant and inclusive club offering opportunities for players of all ages and abilities.
Melksham’s commitment to community connection extends beyond sport. In May 1980, the town launched its Twinning Association, forming a partnership with the town of Avon, located 45 kilometres from Paris. This cultural exchange has fostered international friendships and enriched local events and activities.
From grassroots sports to international connections, Melksham is a town that values teamwork, community spirit, and active living — both on and off the field.
Melksham has a long and diverse history of faith communities that have shaped the town’s identity, supported its people, and enriched local life for centuries. From medieval churches to more recent places of worship, these religious institutions reflect the town’s growth, values, and inclusivity.
Possibly the oldest building in Melksham, St Michael and All Angels dates back to the 12th century, though it’s believed that Christian worship on the site may have begun in Saxon times. This Grade II* listed parish church remains a spiritual and architectural landmark at the heart of the town.
Serving the Forest area of Melksham, St Andrew’s was built in 1875 to meet the growing needs of the town’s expanding population. It continues to be a place of worship and community gathering today.
Melksham’s growing and diverse population is also reflected in the presence of Melksham Mosque, which serves the local Muslim community. The mosque is a welcoming and active part of the town’s religious life, providing a space for prayer, education, and interfaith connection.
The Quakers have been part of Melksham’s history since at least 1669, with early meetings closely linked to the town’s cloth industry. A Quaker boarding school was established in 1695, though it closed by 1721. Their meeting house, later home to the National Spiritualist Church, was sold in 1958 and converted to a private residence in 2012.
The Baptist community in Melksham traces its roots back to 1669, with the first chapel built in 1714. The Baptist Church remains an important part of the town’s faith landscape.
An Independent Congregation Church was likely founded around 1773, influenced by a Methodist preacher who became its first pastor in 1778. Their church building, located in Market Place, was completed in 1788 and served generations of worshippers.
The Salvation Army has played a role in Melksham’s spiritual and social life since the early 20th century. In 1929, the organisation officially purchased the building it had been using as a Citadel, continuing its mission of faith, outreach, and community service.
Although early records from 1783 suggest no Roman Catholic presence in Melksham at the time, this changed with the opening of St Anthony of Padua in 1939. The church has since served as the spiritual home for the town’s Catholic community.
Today, Melksham embraces a variety of faiths and beliefs, each contributing to the town’s inclusive and respectful community spirit. Whether rooted in centuries of history or newer traditions, places of worship continue to provide support, meaning, and connection for all.