Merlin’s Mount is in the grounds of Marlborough College, only a 100 yards off the A 4, but partly concealed by the college chapel. It is freely accessible.
In the grounds of Marlborough College stands a rather bizarre conical mound of grassed earth with a spiraling path all the way round. It is known locally as ‘Merlin’s Mount’ or ‘Merlin’s Grave’ for here the great wizard is supposed to have been buried (or perhaps imprisoned by the Lady of the Lake). Perhaps he chose this spot as his last resting place because of its religious significance. The sarsen stones of the largest circle at Stonehenge, which Merlin is said to have built, came from the Marlborough Downs.
Whatever the circumstance, this famous burial mound or barrow later gave it’s name to the town which grew up around it: ‘Merlin’s Barrow’ becoming Marlborough.