In 2024 Malmesbury celebrated the 1100th anniversary of Athelstan becoming king. Athelstan was the first King of England and has a very special relationship with our historic town. This year we are leading the Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way Walk and Cycle from Malmesbury to Kingston uopn Thames.

Athelstan's hero was Malmesbury’s first Abbot, Aldhelm, he gave significant gifts to Malmesbury Abbey, and he chose to be buried here. His name is all over town and he’s at the heart of the remarkable story of Malmesbury’s Warden and Freemen organisa6on, which still exists today.

Athelstan 1100 continues to be planned and delivered by an experienced project team with the involvement of key organisations, qualified archaeologists, historians and skilled enthusiastic volunteers. Project Leadership, banking and bookkeeping facilities are being provided by Malmesbury Town Team CiC, a Community Interest Company working directly for the benefit of Malmesbury. 

The Steering Group includes the Mayor of Malmesbury, the Town Clerk of Malmesbury Town Council and representatives from Malmesbury Abbey, Malmesbury Museum, Malmesbury Town Team, the Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury, Malmesbury Civic Trust, Malmesbury History Society, Malmesbury Carnival, and Wessex Week. Malmesbury schools led by the Athelstan Trust are fully involved in Athelstan 1100. 

Our objective continues to be the delivery of memorable, fun, accessible and inclusive experiences and events under the banner of Athelstan 1100, with legacy outputs that will support interest in Malmesbury and Athelstan into the future.

Our 2024 programme had elements for everyone: History fans of levels of seriousness. Casual visitors and Malmesbury fans. Budding archaeologists and beer drinkers. Children and adults. There were significant and important parts of the programme we have set ourselves the goal of making free to attend, including the Malmesbury’s Big Athelstan Dig, ‘Anglo-Saxon Malmesbury’, the Anglo-Saxon food, drink and craft fair, the children’s Big Athelstan picnic and Athelstan Museum’s special exhibition. We are continuing with this ambition in 2025 with the Athelstan 1100 Pilgrim Way Walk and Cycle from Malmesbury to Kingston upon Thames.

Athelstan 1100 is absolutely dependent for its success on the strong support of local community organisations, an army of willing volunteers, the commitment of local businesses and civic bodies and our own ability to directly create resources.

Our 2024 speaking programme, publications, merchandising, ‘By Appointment of Athelstan 1100’ and ‘Friends of Athelstan 1100’ all made a significant contribution to our costs and have enabled us to continue to organise events.

We have supplemented this income through grants, sponsorship and the direct support of local businesses. Malmesbury Town Council, the Warden and Freemen of Malmesbury, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the James Dyson Foundation, Mindvision, Fiona Scott Associates, Wiltshire Council and many more have generously provided funding and practical support.

We have very skilled and committed volunteers supplying hundreds of hours of time without charge.

Our Athelstan 1100 story telling has been helped by students from the University of Winchester, Bath Spa University and Boom Satsuma Film School and pupils from all our local schools.

All this support is being acknowledged by Athelstan 1100 on our website, in our programme, in our PR and at the delivery of events.

If you, or your business or your organisation would like to support Athelstan 1100 please do contact us at hello@athelstan1100.co.uk.

Malmesbury is a beautiful ancient hilltop town surrounded by picturesque rivers. A rich and rewarding history. A lively town centre with interesting independent shops and great places to eat, drink and stay. A packed programme of arts and local events. A thriving community. A wonderful place to visit.

https://discovermalmesbury.life/