A one-man performance by Toby Burchell.  In this one-man performance, Toby Burchell performs two chilling tales by the finest writers of the ghost story genre. Originally narrated as entertainment for friends, these are the perfect traditional ghost stories.

General Admission for a self guided visit. (Time slots are arrival time, you can stay as long as you like!) Step back in time with a visit to The Merchant’s House in Marlborough, a beautifully restored 17th-century townhouse that offers a rare glimpse into the life of a prosperous silk merchant and his family. Located in the heart of Marlborough’s historic High Street, the house is filled with original features, period furnishings, and hand-painted wall decorations. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a lover of architecture, or simply curious about the past, The Merchant’s House is a unique and enriching experience not to be missed.

Explore The Merchant's House with one of our volunteer guides. Discover the history of this fascinating building and what life was like for a seventeenth century merchant.

Magic, Fear, and Belief’ in 17th century England As Halloween approaches, step into a world where magic was feared, belief was powerful, and the boundaries between the natural and supernatural were far from clear. Explore the history of maleficium (harmful magic) and discover how spells, curses, charms and accusations of witchcraft shaped everyday life.  Through a fascinating evening talk followed by a candlelight tour of The Merchant’s House with Nichola Abraham, uncover the fears, beliefs and superstitions that haunted the past, and consider why some of them still linger today.

SPOOKY TOURS - Ten mischievous black cats are hiding throughout The Merchant’s House – and they each have a secret to reveal. Saturday October 24th until Saturday October 31st (excluding Sunday) Become a Cat Detective and explore our remarkable 17th-century house on a self-guided family adventure. As you make your way through its historic rooms, hunt down the cats’ portraits and uncover ten hidden clues. Solve them all to discover the magic word that will lead you to the mysterious Witch’s Cat. Along the way, investigate curious objects, strange superstitions and Halloween mysteries from the past – while discovering some of the fascinating stories hidden within The Merchant’s House. Explore at your own pace, follow the clues and see what secrets the house might reveal. Is it magic – or is there another explanation? Ten cats. Ten clues. One missing familiar. Can you solve the mystery? Tickets: Adults £11. Under 18's free.

This Christmas will be a very special one at The Merchant’s House. Step through the wardrobe and into the magical world of Narnia as the house is transformed to tell the much-loved story of four children, an enchanted land and the powerful White Witch. With beautiful decorations and plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered along the way, this promises to be a truly magical Christmas experience for all ages. Join us from Tuesday 10 November and discover the wonder of Narnia at The Merchant’s House. Open daily from Monday to Saturday. 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3pm except on Christmas Eve when last entrance will be at 12 noon).

Carols by Candlelight -  An evening of shopping, singing and Christmas magic at The Merchant’s House. Join us on Thursday 3 December , when the house and shop will remain open until 8pm for a wonderfully festive evening. Come along to browse our beautiful Christmas shop, discover thoughtful gifts and seasonal treasures, and enjoy traditional carols sung by candlelight. Soak up the atmosphere, admire the twinkling lights and share in a little Christmas magic.   There is no charge to visit the shop or enjoy the carols. You can also explore The Merchant’s House, beautifully decorated for Christmas.  Admission to the house is £11 per adult , with free entry for under-18s . Alternatively, become a Friend of The Merchant’s House during the evening and enjoy free admission to the house , as well as 10% off your shop purchases .

Meet Santa at The Merchant’s House this Christmas Santa is taking a very special break from his Christmas travels to visit The Merchant’s House on Saturday 28 November and Saturday 5 December — and we couldn’t be more excited! Come along between 10am and 3pm to meet Santa in a small, friendly group. Children will have plenty of time with him as he shares tales of his Christmas travels and the elves’ mischievous antics.

Make your Christmas extra special this year with a festive wreath-making workshop in the atmospheric setting of The Merchant’s House’s historic kitchen. With only four people in each group, you’ll get plenty of friendly, hands-on help to design a gorgeous wreath – using freshly gathered greenery. And because no Christmas workshop is complete without a treat, you’ll enjoy mince pies and something warm to sip – whether that’s hot chocolate, tea, or coffee – as you create.  All materials will be provided but please bring along any special decorations you might want to include.