Ebbesbourne Wake: St John the Baptist

All Saints'

The parish of Charlton All Saints is at the eastern end of the beautiful Chalke Valley Benefice. We aim to be warm and welcoming to all. We have church services twice a month. On the second Sunday at 11.00am we hold Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer and on the fourth Sunday at 9.30am we hold a Communion Service from Common Worship.

All Saints' Church is open daily from around 9am to 5pm. We welcome people of all faiths and those of none. The Church is the heart of our community and is available for everyone. Do drop in for a few moments of peace and reflection in your busy day.

We are a small village (population of 221 in 2021) with a strong community and hold a number of annual village events. Watch out for the Progressive Supper, Quiz Night, Eco Picnic & Nature Count, Village BBQ, Ride & Stride, Harvest Festival, Bonfire Bash, Christmas Tree Festival and Downton Band Concert.

We are proud to have joined the Eco Church Project, and we received our Bronze Award at the end of May 2024.

We look forward to meeting you!

Berwick St John: St John

Berwick St John (pop 250) is the westernmost village in the Chalke Valley, and the Benefice. Nestled amongst the chalk downs, the River Ebble rises here. It is a rural community, with four working farms and associated businesses including a blacksmith. There is a pub and Village Hall, both well supported.

Berwick is renowned for its community spirit, from street parties for national events to its Harvest Supper and Fete.

St Andrew's

ONB (pop 550), short for Odstock, Nunton, and Bodenham, is a charming community nestled towards the eastern end of the picturesque Chalke Valley on the eastern edge of the Chalke Deanery.

Broadchalke: All Saints

Broad Chalke (pop 650) sits centrally in the Benefice and has a good mix of age-groups. There is a CofE maintained primary school, a sports centre, a village hall where WI, Flower Club, Film Night are each held once a month and Teddybears (for mums, babies and toddlers) once a week, and a pub – The Queen’s Head.

The jewel in our crown is The Hub – a shop (Chalke Valley Stores) and Coffee Shop, situated in the URC building. There are 7 working farms and several small businesses. The village also hosts the internationally famous Chalke Valley History Festival.

Alvediston: St Mary

Alvediston (pop 80) to the west is the most scattered village with clusters of houses. Following a recent fire at the 'Crown'Inn, the church provides a venue for concerts and special events, eg. a Coronation exhibition of local activities and interests. Sheep farming predominates, with some arable, livestock and a race horse stud.

Bowerchalke: Holy Trinity

Bowerchalke (pop 280) is a ribbon development, nearly two miles from end to end, set in the Cranbourne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with farms surrounding it. It has a stream fed from a spring that rises in the natural basin that joins the Ebble River and supports a fish farm. It is, in the main a close- knit community of all ages. The “outstanding” Broad Chalke School is a draw for those with young children. There is a monthly farmers market in the Village Hall, and other community events provided by Church and Village Hall supporters.

Homington: St Mary the Virgin

Homington is a little over one mile down the valley road from Coombe Bissett - easy walking distance across Homington Down. Homington is a small, friendly village, with its pretty church of St Mary.

The sense of community is extremely important and you will always find a friendly face and someone to pass the time of day with. Social coffee mornings take place monthly in Homington church.

Bishopstone: St John the Baptist

Set in the middle of the Chalke Valley, Bishopstone (pop 684) is a thriving village community with a good mix of young families and retired residents. Whilst lacking an obvious ‘centre’ there is plenty going on in the village, with a well-used village hall that hosts a wide range of events, from Moviola nights to a lively playgroup. There is also a village pub, popular with families, and a recently improved village playground. The church sits approximately one mile from the rest of the village, in a beautiful riverside setting. The village is in catchment for both Coombe Bissett and Broad Chalke primary schools.

Fifield Bavant: St Martin

To the east of Ebbesbourne Wake, there is evidence in field contours of the medieval village in Fifield Bavant (pop 22), deserted due to the plague. Now there are 12 dwellings: Manor Farm House, the former rectory and 10 farm cottages. Some of the farm buildings are let as stables and workshops. The farm is mainly arable with grazing and a shoot

Coombe Bissett: St Michael & All Angels

Coombe Bissett is a medium sized village on the cross roads where the valley East- West road meets the Salisbury-Blandford road. The village is extremely friendly. Coombe Bissett enjoys the prominence of the church of St Michael and All Angels and benefits from an excellent village shop, small church primary school and a pub.

St Peter's

The ancient village of Britford (pop 560) is 1 mile south of Salisbury, with beautiful views of the Cathedral from the water meadows. It is a small community with no shop, but proud of a very successful cafe with delicious homemade food. Longford castle is at the southern end of the village, there is a fish farm and two other farms and for centuries the sheep fair was held in Britford.

Longford C of E Primary school serves children from the surrounding area. There are a few families in Britford with children but most of the residents are retired.

St Mary's

Welcome to St Mary's, Odstock. We hold services on the first and third Sundays of the month, and we look forward to welcoming you to our Church.

This beautiful Grade II* listed building was first constructed in the 12th century. It comprises a three-bay nave, chancel, west tower and north porch. The chancel is believed to have been remodelled in the 13th century. The nave dates from the 13th century and the arch to the low west tower is of the 14th century.

The pulpit carries the date 1580 and the inscription, “God bless and save our royal Queen, the lyke on earth was never seen”. The font at the west end of the nave is of the 13th century. Remodelling of the church was carried out in 1870 by J Fowler of Louth and included replacement of the pews and choir stalls.

A gravestone in the churchyard marks the burial place of Joshua Scamp, the gypsy whose fate is told in the story of the Odstock curse...

St. Mary’s Church baptism, marriage and burial registers survive from 1541. These (up to 1990/1991) are held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham. Subsequent registers remain with the church.