Melksham Forest on the map

Location in WiltshireMelksham Forest sits where the marker shows within the county.

29,374
Population
10,454
Households
7 / 10
Deprivation decile
Around average
12
Schools nearby
£56,020
Avg. household income
1,050
Businesses
462
People per km²
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About Melksham Forest

Melksham Forest, located in Wiltshire, England, is a woodland area that offers a variety of walking paths and opportunities for outdoor activities. The forest is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy a peaceful day outdoors. Visitors can explore the trails that wind through the trees, providing a chance to appreciate the natural surroundings.

The forest is easily accessible and provides a welcome escape from the hustle of daily life. It is suitable for families, dog walkers, and anyone seeking a bit of fresh air. With its well-maintained paths, Melksham Forest is a practical choice for a leisurely stroll or a more invigorating hike, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the Wiltshire countryside.

School Ratings in Melksham Forest

Melksham Forest is served by 40 schools. Kings Park Children's Centre is rated Outstanding by Ofsted. A further 4 schools hold a Good rating.

House Prices in Melksham Forest

Property prices average £316K across the area, and detached homes are the most common property type, typically selling for £397K.

Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour in Melksham Forest

Local crime rates sit broadly in line with national averages. Anti-social behaviour accounts for the highest share in Melksham Forest, with 40 incidents logged in May 2026.

Deprivation and Employment in Melksham Forest

Based on the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation, Melksham Forest falls within the mid-range nationally for overall deprivation. Working-age employment is around the national average for the area. Income levels locally sit close to the national average.

Healthcare in Melksham Forest

There are 5 GP surgeries within three miles of Melksham Forest, the nearest being Pes@specsavers Melksham Bsw Ccg (0.7 miles away).

Local Data for Melksham Forest

Dig deeper into the area around Melksham Forest with our free postcode tools.

Food Hygiene Ratings Hygiene scores for cafes, takeaways and shops Nearest GP Surgery Find the GP surgeries closest to a postcode Compare Areas Put two areas head to head House Prices Recent sale prices and trends

Property Prices 4,447 sales

Average Price £316K
£500 , £19.08M
Detached £397K 1,489
Semi £275K 1,443
Terraced £227K 953
Flat £196K 364

Schools & Education 12 nearby View all schools

27 Primary
2 Secondary
11 Other
Outstanding 1
Good 4

Ofsted ratings for schools in the SN12 postcode area.

Kings Park Children's Centre Outstanding 0.5 miles River Mead School Primary 0.5 miles The Manor CofE VC Primary School Primary 0.6 miles Forest and Sandridge Church of England Primary School Primary 0.6 miles Canberra Children's Centre 0.8 miles Melksham House School Not applicable 0.9 miles Aloeric Primary School Primary 1.1 miles Melksham Oak Community School Secondary Good 1.3 miles Bowerhill Primary School Primary Good 1.5 miles Shaw CE Primary School Primary Good 1.8 miles St Mary's Broughton Gifford Voluntary Controlled Church of England Primary School Primary Good 2.4 miles Lacock Church of England Primary School Primary Good 2.4 miles

Household Income in Melksham Forest ONS 2023

The average total household income in Melksham Forest is approximately £56,020 a year before tax, in line with the national average of £55,302. After tax and benefits, the average disposable (net) household income is around £41,707. These are modelled estimates from the Office for National Statistics for the financial year ending 2023.

Melksham Forest £56,020
England & Wales avg. £55,302

Net (after tax) household income averages £41,707.

Businesses in Melksham Forest ONS 2025

There are approximately 1,050 active businesses based in Melksham Forest, around 36 for every 1,000 residents. The local economy is dominated by small firms: about 88% are micro-businesses employing fewer than 10 people, while 25 are larger employers with 50 or more staff. Figures are from the Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts.

1,050 Total businesses
36 Per 1,000 residents
Micro, 0-9 88%
Small, 10-49 10%
Medium, 50-249 2%
Large, 250+ 0%

Deprivation and Employment in Melksham Forest IMD 2025

The 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation places Melksham Forest in the mid-range nationally. Employment and income levels are close to the England average, with a mix of opportunities across sectors. Overall living conditions are comparable to similar areas across the country.

Overall Deprivation
7/10
Income
7/10
Employment
6/10
Education
5/10
Health
7/10
Housing
5/10
Living Environment
7/10
Children 0-15 18%
Working age 59%
Older 65+ 23%
5,299 Children (0-15) 18%
17,408 Working Age 59%
6,655 Older (65+) 23%
Average Child Poverty (IDACI) 26.1% of children in income-deprived families
Above Average Older Person Poverty (IDAOPI) 9.8% of over-60s in income-deprived households
Data from English Indices of Deprivation 2025 · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0

Crime in Melksham Forest 156 crimes · May 2026

Average Crime Area

Melksham Forest experiences crime rates that are roughly comparable to the national picture. Violence & sexual offences is the most reported category, consistent with broader patterns across similar communities. Day-to-day life here reflects the usual mix of challenges found in any established town.

Violence & Sexual Offences 57
Anti-Social Behaviour 40
Criminal Damage & Arson 15
Public Order 12
Shoplifting 9
Other Theft 8
Drugs 5
Burglary 4
Vehicle Crime 3
Other Crime 2
Bicycle Theft 1
Local Policing
Wiltshire Melksham Town Visit force website →
Data from data.police.uk · Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0
Crime figures depend on reporting by individual police forces and may not reflect the full picture in all areas.

Nearest Train Stations 6 stations

Melksham Train Station 0.9 miles
Trowbridge Train Station 5.6 miles
Chippenham Train Station 5.7 miles
Bradford-On-Avon Train Station 6.1 miles
Avoncliff Train Station 7.5 miles
Freshford Train Station 8.1 miles

Location

Nearby Towns & Villages 12 found

Melksham 0.6 miles Beanacre 0.9 miles Bowerhill 1.2 miles The Spa 1.2 miles Berryfield 1.8 miles Redstocks 1.8 miles Norrington Common 1.9 miles Shaw 2 miles Whitley 2.2 miles Bowden Hill 2.2 miles Outmarsh 2.2 miles The Common 2.5 miles

Local Government

District Wiltshire
Ward Melksham South
Constituency Chippenham
Parish Melksham
Region South West

Home Ownership in Melksham Forest

Of the 12,459 households in and around Melksham Forest, 73% are owned, 15% are socially rented and 13% are privately rented. Home ownership here is higher than the England and Wales average of 63%.

Owned 73% Social rented 15% Private rented 13%

Tenure from the 2021 Census (ONS), for the postcode districts covering Melksham Forest.

Frequently Asked Questions about Melksham Forest

What is the population of Melksham Forest?
Melksham Forest has a population of approximately 29,374 residents, based on the latest census figures for the surrounding postcode area.
What is the average house price in Melksham Forest?
The average property in and around Melksham Forest sold for about £316,268, based on HM Land Registry Price Paid records. That is around 9% below the England and Wales average of £349,091.
Is Melksham Forest a deprived area?
Melksham Forest sits around the national average for deprivation, with an Index of Multiple Deprivation decile of 7 out of 10, where 1 is the most deprived and 10 the least deprived.
What postcodes cover Melksham Forest?
Melksham Forest is covered by the SN12 postcode district.
How many schools are there in Melksham Forest?
There are 12 schools within easy reach of Melksham Forest, spanning primary, secondary and other phases.
Where is the nearest train station to Melksham Forest?
The nearest railway station to Melksham Forest is Melksham Train Station, about 0.9 miles away.

Streets in SN12 30 shown View all streets

A350 4 A361 1 A365 3 Academy Close 1 Addison Road 2 Alder Way 1 Angelica Avenue 1 Anise Avenue 1 Anson Grove 1 Arden Close 1 Ash Grove 1 Ashdown Drive 1 Ashley Close 1 Asquith Avenue 2 Atworth Court 1 Avon Road 4 Avonside Enterprise Park 1 Avro Way 1 Awdry Avenue 2 B3107 4 Babington Close 1 Bank Street 3 Barnes Wallis Close 2 Barnwell Road 2 Basil Drive 1 Bath Road 30 Bay Gardens 2 Beanacre Road 11 Beaufort Close 1 Beech Avenue 1

Postcodes in SN12 50 shown View all postcodes

SN12 6AA SN12 6AB SN12 6AD SN12 6AE SN12 6AF SN12 6AG SN12 6AH SN12 6AJ SN12 6AL SN12 6AN SN12 6AP SN12 6AQ SN12 6AR SN12 6AS SN12 6AT SN12 6AU SN12 6AW SN12 6AX SN12 6AY SN12 6AZ SN12 6BA SN12 6BB SN12 6BD SN12 6BE SN12 6BF SN12 6BG SN12 6BH SN12 6BJ SN12 6BL SN12 6BN SN12 6BP SN12 6BQ SN12 6BS SN12 6BT SN12 6BU SN12 6BW SN12 6BX SN12 6BY SN12 6BZ SN12 6DA SN12 6DB SN12 6DD SN12 6DE SN12 6DF SN12 6DG SN12 6DH SN12 6DJ SN12 6DL SN12 6DN SN12 6DP