Malmesbury

Now the quiet Wiltshire market town of Malmesbury is hoping to capitalise on an increasing interest in thinking and become known as the UK's first "philosophy town".

Malmesbury bids to become UK's first 'philosophy town' Steven Morris 2010

His home town was Malmesbury, which is in Wiltshire, England, about 30 miles east of Bristol.

Thomas Hobbes Duncan, Stewart 2009

Yet we still know very little about Æthelstan directly, and most of that comes from William of Malmesbury, a chronicler writing 200 years later.

England in the Age of Vikings 2011

Finn Spicer, a Malmesbury resident and part of Bristol University's philosophy department, agreed there was a growing hunger for philosophy.

Malmesbury bids to become UK's first 'philosophy town' Steven Morris 2010

Leaving the village and heading along a lane towards Sherston, you'll see the scenery open out to reveal gorgeous green fields on either side as you pedal towards lunch – just one short ascent between you and a plate of Malmesbury Gold pork sausages and spring-onion mash at the 16th-century Rattlebone Inn.

My favourite bike ride – the Cotswolds 2011

"And why shouldn't Malmesbury be a centre for that?" he said.

Malmesbury bids to become UK's first 'philosophy town' Steven Morris 2010

Catherine Doody, the Malmesbury councillor who holds the tourism brief, said: It would be amazing if we could become another St Ives or Stratford.

Malmesbury bids to become UK's first 'philosophy town' Steven Morris 2010

Is this the same James Dyson who closed the Dyson factory in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, in 2002 to move production to Malaysia, resulting in the loss of 560 jobs?

Letters: Investment, the mother of invention 2011

Also planned is a long-distance walk from Oxford through Malmesbury and on to Wrington in Somerset, birthplace of John Locke, another 17th-century philosophical colossus.

Malmesbury bids to become UK's first 'philosophy town' Steven Morris 2010

Upon his passing in 1679, Hobbes was known (after his birthplace) as the "Monster of Malmesbury."

Real Government Efficiency 2010