The tiny UK town that was capital 700 years before London - and it's still thriving

It has a long history going back to medieval times and beyond

Malmesbury, a small yet vibrant market town in Wiltshire, holds the title of England's oldest borough and was once the nation's capital. While London is now synonymous with being England's capital, this wasn't always the case.

Malmesbury, steeped in history dating back to medieval times, was originally built around an abbey in approximately 675AD and for a time, it was one of the most significant towns in England. The town was granted borough status by Alfred The Great in around 880 and in the 10th Century, Athelstan, the first king of all England, made Malmesbury his capital after defeating an army of northern English and Scots.

During the English Civil War, Malmesbury became a key battleground and the south face of its abbey still bears scars from a battle that tore through the town. However, post-1640s, the town faced economic decline as transport and trade routes shifted towards the coast.

Today, Malmesbury is a bustling regional market town, home to a variety of independent shops and a popular farmer's market. Every August, the town hosts an annual carnival which raises money for the community through various events and stalls, including the world's largest pillow fight.

Emma from Coffee#1 Malmesbury's described Malmesbury as a "lovely place" where "everybody is so friendly and everybody knows everybody". She added: "You can tell when people have been to the area how in awe they are of it. Obviously, we've got the abbey which is beautiful and the Old Bell which is the oldest hotel in England," reports the Express.

Before London became the capital, various other towns and cities held the title. Colchester, for instance, boasts a rich history as the former capital of England and Britain's first city. As the nation's Roman capital from AD49, Colchester was the first place in Britain to be designated a "Roman Colonia", making it the initial capital of the Roman province of Britannia.

Today, visitors can explore the city's Edwardian buildings, narrow lanes, and independent shops and restaurants. The Dutch Quarter, named after medieval weavers who emigrated from across the North Sea, features quaint, colourfully painted houses.

York also served as the capital of England during King Edward I's reign. In the summer of 1298, Edward I relocated the Chancery and Exchequer, two key government departments, to York, where they remained until 1304.