The village lies off the Romanroad from London ("Londinium") to Bath. The first occupation of the site may have been during the Saxon period, possibly by Hraefn who set up his burgh (fortified settlement) here. The name Ramsbury has developed through time from "Hraefn's burgh".
In the 7th and 8th centuries, an important iron-smelting forge existed in the High Street. The ore smelted here may have come from Seend near Devizes to the west.
The Bishops of Wilshire, which diocese included Berkshire, resided at ramsbury from 909-1058. In 1058, the bishopric was united with that of Sherborne and moved to the new see-city of Old Sarum in 1075, before removing to New Sarum (modern Salisbury).
Of the ten Bishops of Ramsbury, three became Archbishops of canterbury (St. Oda the Severe, Sigeric the Serious and Aelfric). The bishopric was revived in 1974 as a suffragan to Salisbury.
Old Sarum was a manor which belonged to the diocese of Ramsbury.
From the 16th to 18th centuries, local activities included tanning and brewing with the main highway serving to bring goods into and out of the village.
Although the village was bypassed by Wiltshires canals and later railways, Ramsbury prospered because of its location on a trading route. More recently, it has benefitted from its proximity to the M4 motorway.
It is probable that the original Anglo-Saxon catherdral minster was built on the site of the present church dedicated to the Holy Cross.
The south wall had to be demolished during the restoration of 1891 and some highly important Saxon carvings were discovered within it. They are now displayed in the north-west corner of the church;-
Originally built to the more usual cruciform (cross-shaped) plan, the aisles were extended to the line of the transepts in the 14th century giving the church its unusual square shape.
The chancel and first part of the nave date from the 13th century, the remainder of the chancel and the west tower from the early 14th century.
Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire The Lloyd family have been carving stone in the yard for more than 200 years and this fascinating attraction shows the art of the stone mason.
Crofton, Wiltshire SN8 3DW The Boulton and Watt beam engine of 1812 is still in place, still working and is the oldest working beam engine in the world. Call for steaming weekends.
9.1 km SW
Wilton Windmill nr. Wilton, Wiltshire, England The windmill has been restored and
is open to the public thanks to volunteers
10.1 km SW
Liddington Castle Swindon, Wiltshire, England The Iron Age hill fort which overlooks the M4 motorway and modern
Swindon is within sight of nearby Barbury Castle
Coate Water
Country Park Swindon, Wiltshire, England Built
as a reservior to supply the Berks and Wilts Canal, Cote Water was inhabitted in
the Stone Age
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