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Cross back over the river and look across the road above the modern shop fronts to see some of their former glory. Turn left along Union Street and as you go take time out to peek at the Ebenezer Chapel on the left. Continue along until you reach the car park on the right. Cut through the car park and here is Lowbourne. Opposite and slightly to the left, hidden behind a hedge and trying to hide from the camera is another drying house from the woollen milling era. The former mill is to its right. Both are now converted to homes . |
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With the car park on your right, drying house on your left, head towards the town. On the opposite side of the junction you will see both a chemist shop and an estate agent. Again look above the shop fronts to the upper floors. The building was the former home of the Fowlers, a celebrated family of Quakers who had many and various business interests in the town. Rachel Fowler came to be best know through her lifelong benevolence. |
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Do not cross, but turn left and walk along through the shops. Stop at the Melksham United Church. On the other side of the road the bank building is said to be in the style of Place House which stood near the spot from about 1550 until 1864, when it was pulled down after years of neglect. On along the road past the Kings Arms you will come to the New Hall, now strangely in private ownership, after being given to the town by the aforementioned Rachel Fowler as rooms for the benefit of the public. The Rachel Fowler Centre is just around the corner behind the shops in a former Congregational Chapel.  |
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The New Hall is best viewed from the other side of the road and best photographed, I discovered ,by dicing with death in the traffic. Next door to the New Hall is a chance to break for coffee. |
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Here around the corner to the left is Spa Road, on its right some fine examples of Regency building, some preserved, some restored and one at least sadly, hanging grimly on in hope of attention. The site of the Spa proper is some way down the busy road, but I would suggest you make a separate journey, its quite a walk just to peep at three privately owned houses from the road! |
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On the opposite side of the roundabout is Melksham Town Hall. Bear left along Kings Street. On the other side of the road are a few antique and collectors shops, well worth a browse on the way back. On the right is the former Quaker, Friends Meeting House, now a Spiritualist Church. The houses either side of this were also owned by the Friends. Along Kings Street are some of the better remaining houses in Melksham go as far as The West End. Keeping an eye open for the Toll House one of several in the town and now a private dwelling the Old Forge. |
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Time now to retrace your steps, stop off in the antique shops or for the coffee you missed earlier. Take a look at the Town hall and down Place Road (just by the bank) at the houses built in the former grounds of Place House. Only its gate pillars remain. The next turning left takes you back to the car park. |
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