Melksham

A walk with my friend Merv around Melksham, a Wiltshire town unknown to either of us. We parked in the centre and walked back to get a better look at this imposing, but disused, red chimney. It was once the home of Holt's Tannery.

We crossed the bridge over the rather strangled River Avon (Wiltshire/Somerset) ...

... and noticed on the right hand side of the road these seemingly unused Victorian buildings with very pleasing stone heads.

We headed further into the town and turned right into the narrow but attractive Church Street to emerge into Canon Square. Canon House, partly 16th century and partly 18th, dominates the end of the square.

At right angles to Canon House is the church of St Michael and All Angels. There was a large church here in Norman times, but the current building was altered and enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries, and restored at different times in the 19th by T E Wyatt and G E Street. This is the view from Canon Square ..

... and this is the view from the other side of the church. It is clear that it sits in a large site.

We continued past the Tourist Information Office and passed this delightful round house, known as the Round House. It was originally built as a wool drying house and later used as an armoury for the local volunteer militia, feed store, business premises, tourist information centre, and museum.

A little further on, on the opposite side of the road was the Masonic Lodge, which looks as though it could withstand a siege.

Close by was this information panel which led us to an unusual step: a leisurely exploration of the numerous housing developments on the east side of the town.

It was curious fascinating to notice the variations in the design of estate houses and of whole estates, some of which were quite pleasing, and others which were rather depressing. We explored the east side of the town quite thoroughly and as we got closer again to the town centre, we started to see a few late Victorian houses.

Soon afterwards were were back in the center of the town and looking at the Town Hall which was designed D Jones of Stratford-on-Avon.

Nearby was the imposing Methodist Chapel (1872). The imposing Corinthian columns were a fine feature.

Finally we had a surreal experience in the nearby pub, the Market Tavern. It looked like a pub, but inside consisted of a bar and a large number of cosy alcoves where people could gather in small groups to eat and drink. We had a nice lunch and left still marveling at the design.

Footnote: Merv and I quite enjoyed exploring Melksham and I was a little shocked by Pevsner's assessment: "Of all the small towns of Wiltshire Melksham has the least character and the least enjoyable buildings ... The church is out of the way to the w(est) of the High Street, and what is attractive as a setting is around it and has little to do with the town." Perhaps he was having an off day?