Malmesbury is the oldest borough in England and is famous for its 12th century Abbey. All that remains of the abbey now is its tower. Malmesbury was founded at the start of the 1st century BC.
Although once the centre of the lace-making industry, the industrial revolution had little effect on the town. The railway station which had been created in 1877 was closed down in 1960.
Malmesbury is twinned with the German town of Niebüll and partnered with Gien in France.
See also