Horningsham

Horningsham
Horningsham
Horningsham shown within Wiltshire
Population 327 (in 2011)[1]
OS grid reference ST811416
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Warminster
Postcode district BA12 7xx
Dialling code 01985
Police Wiltshire
Fire Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance South Western
EU Parliament South West England
UK Parliament

Horningsham is a small village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, on the county border with Somerset. The village lies about 4 miles (6 km) southwest of the town of Warminster and 4 1⁄2 miles (7 km) southeast of Frome, Somerset.

The parish forms part of the Longleat estate and includes the hamlets of Hitcombe Bottom and Newbury.

History

Longleat House

At Baycliffe Farm, in the south of the parish near the boundary with Maiden Bradley, are the site of an early Iron Age settlement and a Bronze Age bowl barrow.[2] Entries in the Domesday Book describe Horningsham as very small, being occupied by one cottager and four small holders.[3]

The name 'Horninges-ham' means 'Horning's homestead' in Old English.[4] The personal name probably comes from the uncomplimentary noun 'hornung' meaning 'bastard'.

Close to the parish boundary on the road to Frome are the remains of Woodhouse Castle, where earthworks and fragmentary ruins, largely cellar walls, survive.[5] In the 17th century it was owned by the Cavalier Arundel family and consequently attacked during the English Civil War. The damage was so severe that it was impossible to return to the castle when peace was restored. The family moved into Horningsham and built themselves a fine manor house below the church.[6]

The manor changed hands several times before the Thynnes purchased it for the second time in 1716. The Vernon family, who held it during the 12th century, were the founders of the village church. The Stantors then held it for the next 200 years, selling to Sir John Thynne c. 1550. After the Civil War the manor was in the possession of the Arundels. Sir John Thynne (Longleat's builder) had already increased the size of the parish by buying more land. His descendant Thomas Thynne, 1st Marquess of Bath was interested in forestry, and engaged Capability Brown to plant large plantations of beech and pine. Gradually forestry and farming were established as the two main sources of employment and this did not change until the late 20th century, when tourism took over.[7]

Longleat House, its orangery, stables and boathouse are Grade I listed, as is the archway flanked by two lodges, built c. 1804 to form an impressive approach to the house from Horningsham village.[8]

Church and chapel

Horningsham has two places of worship, both of ancient origin and both Grade II* listed. First, the Anglican Church of St John the Baptist was founded in the 12th century but has been virtually rebuilt twice in 1783 and 1843.[9][10] Secondly, an 18th-century Congregational Chapel, known as the Old Meeting House, used by the Scotsmen employed by Sir John Thynne to help build Longleat House. The claim that this is the oldest Free Church in England is unsubstantiated, but it is believed to be the oldest still in use for worship.[11][12]

Governance

Horningsham elects a parish council. Most local government services are provided by Wiltshire Council, which has its offices in nearby Trowbridge. The village is represented in Parliament by the MP for South West Wiltshire, Andrew Murrison and in Wiltshire Council by Fleur de Rhé-Philipe.

Amenities

Tractor pull at 2009 Fete

The parish is within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Horningsham has the P's identified by Country Life as essential to a successful village: a pub,[13] a post office, a place of worship, a primary school and public transport (although limited). It also has a village hall. Horningsham Cricket Club play in the Three Counties League. Every year, usually on the second Sunday in June, Lord Bath opens a well-attended village fete.

The village pub, The Bath Arms, is on The Common. Built in the 17th century, it became a public house in 1732 when it was called The New Inn. It later changed to the Lord Weymouth Arms and then the Marquess of Bath's Arms. In 1850 this was one of four pubs in the village, as well as an off-licence.

Geology and geography

The village lies on middle chalk[14] and Warminster greensand. The stream Redford Water rises in the village and eventually runs into the River Frome. The centre of the village is at 162 metres above sea level.

In fiction

Horningsham is the home village of the title character in Allan Mallinson's Matthew Hervey book series.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Wiltshire Community History – Census". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  2. ↑ Historic England. "Bowl barrow 650m south east of Baycliffe Farm (1017696)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  3. ↑ Horningsham in the Domesday Book
  4. ↑ Institute for Name Studies. "A Key to English Place-Names". Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  5. ↑ Historic England. "Woodhouse Castle fortified manor house (1017304)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  6. ↑ Historic England. "Manor House (1036384)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  7. ↑ "Horningsham". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Historic England. "Longleat Lodge (1200476)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  9. ↑ Historic England. "Church of St. John the Baptist, Horningsham (1364356)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Church of St. John the Baptist, Horningsham". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  11. ↑ Historic England. "Congregational Chapel, Horningsham (1036378)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "Wiltshire Community History – Congregational Chapel, Horningsham". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  13. ↑ "The Bath Arms". Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  14. ↑ "CCW AONB" (PDF). Retrieved 15 November 2010.

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