A pretty town derided as ‘boring and decaying’ is actually something of a hidden gem for property seekers looking for a life in a booming market town.
Melksham, in Wiltshire, on the banks of the River Avon was mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, and today, the bustling settlement is home to around 23,000 people.
Queen Camilla graced the beautiful area with her presence during a visit to the county as the then Duchess of Cornwall in 2021.
And the royal connection continues as the forest around Melksham was once a favoured hunting ground for Tudor Kings.
But writing recently on ILiveHere one local gave the area a decidedly un-royal review saying the town was a “boring, decaying, grimy and downright depressing hovel”.
They also claimed it was populated with “a motley crew of dysfunctional families, burly white van men, aggressive undisciplined kids, and depressed OAPs”.
The scathing comments do not seem to match the feelings of homebuyers however, as WiltshireLive reports Melksham recently became one of “England’s biggest property hotspots”.
The publication added property seekers are attracted because “the historic town is full of popular pubs, the scenic Melksham Forest, and is close to Bath, Chippenham, Devizes and Trowbridge”.
According to Rightmove the average property price for the area is £285,435, up from around £250,000 in 2020.
As well as the weekly market every Tuesday, the town has lots more to offer including the Melksham Food and River Festival, live entertainment at the 450-seat capacity Melksham Assembly Hall and the chance to play on a PGA golf course at nearby Bowood.
Singing the praises of the town, Maxine Coles said on the Goughs Solicitors website: “Melksham has a vibrant town centre with a variety of shops, and very few empty ones. It’s easy to park too.
“I love the Park and riverside for lunchtime walks.
“The town has a great new swimming pool and leisure facilities, and the active town council puts on a number of great events throughout the year.”
Melksham Town Council said the future looks bright for the area with plans for urban expansion.
It says on its website: “Melksham is continuing to expand due to its ideal location on the A350, a main north – south gateway through Wiltshire, its proximity to several leading independent schools and its accessibility to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
“Melksham is well-served by several bus routes, including the National Express route between Bristol and London.
“An increased train service is now available from Melksham station with connections to Bristol and London. Melksham also provides an excellent location for exploring nearby Lacock and Avebury, the historic towns of Devizes and Bradford on Avon and the City of Bath.”
