The main industry in the Marlborough region of New Zealand is wine production, which is a cornerstone of the local economy. As the country's largest wine region, it produces a significant portion of New Zealand's total grape harvest, particularly known for its Sauvignon Blanc. The industry contributes heavily to the regional economy, with roughly $571 million in economic value generated in 2020.
Among Marlborough's many claims to fame is the mysterious Merlin's Mound which can be found within the grounds of Marlborough College and is the reputed burial place of the wizard Merlin. The Duchess of Cambridge also attended this famous college.
Marlborough is an affluent area denoted by its rich cultural heritage. Its historic charm is defined by its ancient alleyways, arcades, coaching inns and high-timbered cottages.
Every Wednesday Marlborough is host to its weekly Market! Find anything from: fruit & veg, artisan breads, cheeses, olives, flowers, clothing, tools, household goods, garden furniture and much more...
The biggest market in the Cotswolds is widely considered to be the Moreton-in-Marsh Market, held every Tuesday, famous as the largest open-air street market with hundreds of stalls selling diverse goods, from fresh produce to crafts, though the Stroud Farmers' Market is also a major, award-winning event, especially for local and artisan foods.
With a median house price of £491,750, the house price to earnings ratio in Marlborough – with its stylish independent shops and public school where Catherine, Princess of Wales was educated – was 7.6, putting it just outside the Top 50 least affordable towns in the UK.
Where is the most expensive place to live in Wiltshire?
Marlborough is a vibrant market town set in the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is the highest valued town in all of Wiltshire with it being named the most expensive place to live in Wiltshire in 2021 by Savills property experts.
The average household income in Marlborough District was $129,722 in 2025, which was lower than the New Zealand average of $135,266. Household income growth in Marlborough District was 1.5% for the year to March 2025. Growth was lower than in New Zealand (1.8%).
Marlborough offers a delightful blend of historic charm and modern convenience, making it a great place to call home. Living in Marlborough means you will be surrounded by picturesque views with the Wiltshire countryside right on your doorstep.
Blenheim is a small town of approximately 29,700 and is the largest town in the Marlborough region. Marlborough boasts New Zealand's sunniest climate, with hot summers and crisp winters. Blenheim is the central point for the huge Marlborough wine growing industry, with a number of wineries on the outskirts of town.
The "75 rule" for wine in the U.S. means that if a wine label names a specific grape (like Chardonnay or Merlot), at least 75% of the wine must be made from that grape, with the remaining 25% being other complementary varieties, a standard set by the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) to ensure transparency, though some regions like Oregon require 100% for varietals. It's part of a broader labeling guideline, including 85% for American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) and 95% for vintage years, often remembered as the 75/85/95 rules.
Madonna, born Madonna Louise Ciccone is an international pop star. She moved to Ashcombe House on the Wiltshire-Dorset border with her then husband, film maker Guy Ritchie. Ashcombe is a Georgian Manor House on Cranborne Chase in the parish of Berwick St John. It is also the former home of photographer Cecil Beaton.
Neither Marlborough nor Eton is objectively "better"; they offer different strengths, with Eton often seen as more academically intense and traditional (all-boys) and Marlborough known for being more modern, co-educational, and a place where a wider range of students might flourish, but both are prestigious, highly-rated independent schools. The choice depends heavily on a child's personality, academic level, and the desired school environment, with Eton focusing heavily on elite leadership and Marlborough offering a broader, more balanced experience.
Marlborough is among the top 10 safest small towns in Wiltshire, and is the 88th most dangerous overall out of Wiltshire's 272 towns, villages, and cities. The overall crime rate in Marlborough in 2025 was 38 crimes per 1,000 people.
During the rebuilding of the town after the Great Fire, the high street was widened and is often claimed to be the widest in England, though the actual widest is in Stockton-on-Tees. This wide street allows ample space for the local market. Fire swept through the town again in 1679 and 1690.
Yes, Marlborough is definitely worth visiting, offering a charming mix of a vibrant, wide High Street with independent shops and cafes, rich history (including the Merchant's House and ancient connections), and stunning surrounding countryside in the North Wessex Downs, perfect for walks and exploring sites like Savernake Forest and Avebury. It's a great base for both relaxing and exploring, blending historic architecture with modern amenities.
“Beorg” means either “a hill, mountain” or “barrow, a heap of stones, place of burial”. So “maerlic-beorg” means “great barrow”. The 18 metre high prehistoric earthwork known as the Mound located within the grounds of Marlborough College is certainly the great barrow from which the town's name is derived.
Wiltshire's county town, Trowbridge, has the greatest levels of deprivation, with parts of the town centre more deprived than 94 per cent of neighbourhoods, while the southern part of Studley Green is more deprived than 77 per cent.
Often cited as one of England's prettiest villages, Castle Combe is steeped in historic charm, with period properties built of Cotswold Stone between the medieval and Stuart eras. Castle Combe might be one of the best known villages in Wiltshire, if not one of the most recognised villages in the UK.
While there's no single "poshest," Castle Combe (often called the prettiest village) and Shalbourne, along with Biddestone, are frequently cited as Wiltshire's poshest villages by publications like The Times and Daily Mail, known for their historic honey-coloured stone homes, picturesque settings in the Cotswolds, strong community life, and high property values.
What salary is needed to live comfortably in the UK?
To live comfortably in the UK, a single person generally needs to earn around £30,000 - £35,000 annually, while a couple might need £43,000, though this varies significantly by location (London is much higher) and lifestyle, with a comfortable life including essentials, some leisure, and savings. For a family, figures rise, with a couple and two children needing closer to £74,000, according to 2025 Minimum Income Standards (MIS).
