The little market town with UK's best high street - rammed with 25 independent shops

In a time when many high streets across the UK are struggling, Marlborough seems to be thriving. Its wide, vibrant high street is home to a mix of independent shops, cafés, galleries, and well-regarded national stores, all set within a town full of history and community spirit. Located just 90 minutes from London, the town regularly attracts visitors from across the South West and beyond. In 2024, Marlborough High Street was named one of the best in the UK by readers of The Times.

Marlborough has a rich history. Within the grounds of the prestigious Marlborough College lies Merlin's Mound, a site linked to the legendary wizard, and the college counts the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie among its alumni. The Merchant's House, a 17th-century home on the High Street, offers visitors a glimpse into historic interiors, paintings, and artefacts, and is reopening on November 18 following restoration work. St Peter's Church, now serving as a community venue, also offers tower tours, giving panoramic views of the town.

The high street hosts a market twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, selling a variety of local produce and crafts. During the festive season, Marlborough also undergoes a transformation. The annual Christmas Lights switch-on on November 28 illuminates the historic buildings along the wide high street with lights strung throughout the town centre, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors.

Kim Dudley has been one of Marlborough's most established independent business owners for 25 years. Her boutique, Kim Vine has traded from its current location at 92 High Street for around 15 of those years and specialises in ladies' designer clothing.

With a loyal and long-standing customer base, the shop stands as a testament to Kim's enduring success and dedication to her craft.

She told the Express: "Marlborough is known because it's got lots of independents, which is really good. It's become quite a destination town for women to meet up from Bath, from Gloucestershire, from Berkshire they'll meet here, have a nice day out and go for lunch. There's lots to offer here for independent shops."

She explained that everything in the boutique is made to order and exclusive to the shop, with many of the Italian brands they stock not always available online. This sense of exclusivity continues to draw customers in and reinforces the value of independent shopping.

Mrs Dudley said Marlborough has a strong local shopping scene with many "good, loyal customers" that regularly visit the shop and she described the town as "vibrant."

"We have clothing agents and designers that come and visit Marlborough, and they don't often see a town as busy as this anymore."

She added that the independent shops complement each other and know each other: "We all complement one another. None of us steps on each other's toes."

"We all try and find labels that are not so easy to find online. So it makes your visit extra special for coming to the High Street."

And the shop is as independent as it gets. Everything is made to order, allowing Kim to choose the colours and keep each piece just a little bit different. She doesn't sell online, yet the boutique has thrived for years with just one branch, an exclusive waiting list for new arrivals, and a reputation that draws shoppers from beyond Marlborough.

Kim Vine also sells special occasion wear, including for weddings and formalwear for Ascott, making it a go-to destination for anyone seeking something truly unique.

She said that since the Covid-19 lockdown, when online shopping became more common, things have improved. People genuinely enjoy not only the experience of shopping but also the opportunity to chat with shop owners and interact with others, as well as feel the materials and see the items for themselves.

"People like to come back into the high street, and they like to touch the fabrics and see the goods and see the quality of all the designs that we have to offer. If you go online, that's not always easily replicated, and it's all about the service and coming in and having a nice shopping experience."

Her favourite thing about running a business in Marlborough is the "satisfaction from the customers." She explained that for Royal Ascott, for weddings, they have a waiting list of customers that they call in January, as soon as the stock starts arriving.

She noted that there is a good mix of both independent shops, probably more than you'd usually see on a UK high street as well as national chains like the recently opened Gail's which have also chosen to open in Marlborough.

While she did acknowledge that many places across the UK are closing due to rising costs and other challenges that make it hard to run a shop, "women will always find an excuse to buy clothes," she laughed.

The strong community spirit and the way independent shops support each other are also evident in Kim Dudley's recommendation that we visit the beautiful shop Curate, run by Kat Jackson, so we quickly made our way there. This award-winning shop offers carefully curated womenswear, menswear, homeware, and lifestyle pieces, and has been featured by The Telegraph as one of the 15 best UK boutiques, making it a perfect stop for unique Christmas gifts as the festive season approaches.

The shop has been open for four years. Ms Jackson said: "Since I've opened, I've seen Marlborough go from strength to strength.

"We get a lot of feedback from people from Bath, Bristol, saying how much they love coming to Marlborough because it's got independents. Marlborough feels like a small little gem of a few independents."

She said that the town attracts a lot of visitors, not just from Wiltshire and surrounding areas, but it's also a good meeting point, so you have people coming from London and then they're meeting a friend from Wales, for example.

"Marlborough has become a big hub in Wiltshire for people to come and visit and it's cute, it's nice to look at, it's kind of got that Cotswoldy vibe."

There are shops like Curate, Kim Vine, and she also mentioned the historic Merchant's House, and other shops like Jam Industries, and Bay Tree, highlighting how the town has got a good variety of shops with both independents and big high street stores like Jigsaw, Space NK, or Mint Velvet.

She added: "There aren't many empty units compared to other high streets."

Ms Jackson recommended visiting Bunce's on the high street, an independent restaurant and bakery, praising their carrot cake and she mentioned that they will soon be opening a bakery as well.

Independent shops are rare on high streets, but since Marlborough already had a few, it felt right to set up her shop here. Although there were already some somewhat similar stores, the brands and styles she wanted to offer weren't available, so opening her shop filled that specific gap.

The Express also spoke to the owners of The Funghi Club, a French bistro and deli run by Janie and Laurent Lebeau. They opened The Funghi Club in Marlborough two years ago. The business grew out of the Covid lockdown, a time when food, connection and creativity felt more important than ever. The first location opened in Hungerford in 2021 and Marlborough followed two years after that.

Laurent Lebeau began his career in London in the early 1980s at Ma Cuisine, one of the city's few Michelin-starred restaurants, eventually becoming Chef de Cuisine. He later managed large teams at Café Pelican and went on to join Groupe Chez Gérard, where he rose to Executive Head Chef, overseeing 87 restaurants, more than 350 chefs, and significant purchasing operations. He then launched his own private chef and consultancy business, catering for high-profile clients such as former Prime Ministers, celebrities, and members of the Royal Family, while also advising on restaurant launches and menu development. He was invited to serve as Head Chef at Wimbledon in 2014 and 2015, overseeing dining for the Royal Family and VIP guests.

Janie Lebeau said: "We were drawn to the town's elegance, its wide main street, the twice-weekly market and the sheer number of independents-from vinyl record shops to beauty salons and fashion retailers. There's a generosity here-a curiosity and warmth-that makes it quite special.

"The Funghi Club's menu is rooted in French technique, with flavour-packed classics like cassoulet, boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin. We're unapologetically French-most of the time. You'll occasionally spot a steak and kidney pudding on the menu (people keep asking for it), but guests come for the soufflés, the properly made French onion soup, and the delicate crêpes."

Customers can dine in, take dishes home to heat and eat later, or have them delivered. This flexibility means the food could suit any occasion, from a long lunch to a quiet night in or a last-minute dinner party. She added that their main goal was to make every guest feel genuinely welcome and comfortable, whether they choose to stay for hours or just for a few minutes.

Janie Lebeau acknowledged that times are tough for independent businesses but what keeps them going is the strong local community: "Costs are rising, footfall can be unpredictable, and the pressure on independents is real. But what keeps us going is the community. Marlborough has a generosity of spirit-you feel it in the way people support local. They recommend you to friends, bring visiting family to show off what we do and occasionally just stop by to say hello.

"So what makes Marlborough so special? It's the mix. The historic buildings, the range of choice, the open skies, the rhythm of market days. But mostly, it's the people.

"Why does the High Street thrive here, when so many others across the UK are struggling? We believe it comes down to authenticity. People want realness. They want to know who's behind the counter, where the ingredients come from, what the story is. Marlborough offers that in spades. It's not about big brands-it's about heart."

Marlborough continues to thrive thanks to its "unique blend" of offerings, all within walking distance, from its architecture and tradition to its vibrant retail scene, a spokesperson for Marlborough Town Council told the Express. It is regularly voted one of the best places to live.

The spokesperson added: "In a survey a few years ago our own residents described Marlborough as a friendly, historic, beautiful market town, and we agree. In fact, we wrote it on the welcome signs at the entrance to our town.

"Marlborough has one of the widest high streets in the country, lined with buildings that are a real mixture of architectural styles and historic period. There are quirky yards, streets, and alleyways to explore, and being a market town, all of these are on a compact scale, meaning it's easy to move from hotel room to café to shops to boutique cinema to dinner to hotel room on foot.

"There's a really good range of independent shops, hospitality outlets and galleries with markets in the High Street every Wednesday and Saturday, augmented by some well-regarded national shops and places to eat. We're a friendly bunch, and all of our businesses will give you a very warm welcome.

"Marlborough College is a prestigious school, and undoubtedly its royal connections and history, its students and their families, helps provide a draw to the town as well as customers for our businesses in addition to the locals and tourists who come here. We're on the Great West Way touring route, and our geographical location makes the town a great stopping point for people travelling north/south or east/west."

"We have several walks that people can follow, including a blue plaque walk (there are 10!) for history buffs, one taking in our hidden alleyways, and nature walks for people to explore our open spaces."

The cultural calendar is equally rich, with music festivals in June, Open Studios month in July, LitFest in September, and performances at the Memorial Hall and St Peter's Church throughout the year. Traditional events like the Mop Fairs and Remembrance Sunday parade also bring the community together.

Beyond the town, the surrounding countryside is ideal for walking, cycling, and exploring. Merlin's Mound and Silbury Hill connect Marlborough to Neolithic history, while the North Wessex Downs National Landscape features crop circles, chalk hill white horses, and forests such as Savernake, an SSSI linked to Henry VIII via the Seymour family and West Woods, which bloom with springtime bluebells. Walking and cycling routes, including the Wessex Ridgeway, start in town, and people can also play golf on the Common or rugby at Marlborough Rugby Football Club.

With its independent shops, historic charm, compact scale, and cultural richness, Marlborough has earned its reputation as one of the country's most delightful market towns, a place that combines the convenience of a high street with the warmth and character of a community that truly thrives.