Big celebrations are planned in the picturesque town of Marlborough this year. It is the 800th anniversary of King John granting the charters that effectively created Marlborough and the townsfolk intend to party in style.

You've picked the best year to visit Marlborough, which in the summer has something of a continental air. Its historic High Street, one of the widest in the country, is decorated with colourful flower displays, cafes spill out onto the pavements and the place is buzzing with visitors.

It's a great shopping centre, particularly if you're looking for something that little bit out of the ordinary a special gift or a pair of fairy's wings perhaps (it has an excellent fairy shop). It has some very fine restaurants with a wide choice of dishes and several excellent and atmospheric pubs.

Between the shops there are some fascinating back alleys with medieval timber-framed cottages that escaped a great fire in 1653. The fire gutted 250 houses and left 300 families homeless.

The recently restored 17th century Merchant's House is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the town, take part in a workshop or listen to a concert.

The town is also home to the famous Marlborough College, which holds summer schools on a range of fascinating subjects.

But this year activities come to a head in June, which will see a special programme of events to celebrate the town's 800th year. On June 11 and 12 there will be a Victorian steam fair and hiring fair in the High Street. It's believed the modern mop fairs two huge fun fairs held in October carry on a tradition started with hiring fairs when labourers and domestic workers were hired for the year.

On June 17 and 18 the town play, Wheels of Time, will be presented in the High Street. It will be performed on a cart that will be moved along the street for the various scenes that tell episodes of the town's history since 1204 and will conclude with a mock 19th century trial taking place in St Mary's Church.

It is hoped a visit by a member of the royal family will take place on June 18, when the evening will be brought to a close with the Band of the Royal Marines beating retreat in the High Street.

On June 19 the English Civil War Society is due to present a re-enactment of the Battle of Marlborough and the capture of the town by Royalist forces. The society will be giving living history displays in the Priory Gardens and High Street.

Further afield

Savernake Forest: just east of the town, this ancient former royal hunting forest covers about 20 square miles. Here you can find the 1,000-year-old Big Belly Oak, which projects onto the A346 Marlborough-Salisbury road. The trunk of the tree measures about 40ft around. Legend has it that the devil can be summoned by anyone dancing naked around the tree. Lancelot Capability Brown was employed to create The Grand Avenue of trees from the centre of which eight walks radiate outwards.

West Kennet Longbarrow: about five miles west of the town on the A4 Bath road. It was built around 3500 bc, is one of Britain's largest Stone Age burial tombs and is known to have had 45-50 burials inside.

Silbury Hill: close to West Kennet. The 132ft high manmade hill was built at the same time as Avebury. Its purpose has never been discovered.

Wilton Windmill: 10 miles south east of Marlborough and open between Easter and October. Local people have been working to extend the restoration to the upper floors and complete an interpretation centre on the ground floor with disabled access in time for the Easter opening. For further information call (01672) 870266.

Crofton Beam Engines: 10 miles south of Marlborough. Two restored beam engines once used to raise water to the highest part of the Kennet and Avon Canal. Steaming is on certain days, call (01672) 870300.