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“A pretty fair town for a street or two,” was Samuel Pepys’s verdict when he spent the night here 350 years ago, and Marlborough is still a hit. Young families are migrating down the M4,

along with those seeking a convenient commute to (whisper it) Swindon or other Silicon Corridor tech hubs. Working in the capital isn’t out of the question: the 7.22 from Pewsey, a 15-minute

drive, will get you to London Paddington in 75 minutes. This market town’s USP used to be having the widest high street in Britain (some of which Pepys would recognise) — until

Stockton-on-Tees pointed out that its was 20yd broader. Size isn’t everything, though, and Marlborough packs plenty in: a market twice a week, a mix of independent and chain shops and

restaurants (from the twee Polly Tea Rooms to one of Rick Stein’s more easterly outposts), and a colonnaded Waitrose. Parents will be drawn to Cooper’s Meadow, which has a play park, St

Mary’s primary school (in its first year, so still waiting for the Ofsted inspectors to call) and St John’s secondary, rated outstanding. Marlborough College — £31,050 a year for day pupils

— also hosts the Feast of Food festival in October. The annual literary fest is in September. BEST ADDRESS Silverless Street and the Green, or a modern home in College Fields. Advertisement

IN NUMBERS ▶ House price growth = -2.5% ▶ Homeowner turnover = 7% ▶ 3 outstanding primary schools ▶ 1 outstanding secondary school Advertisement ▶ 6% prescribed antidepressants _Methodology

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