The name Cherhill is thought to be drived from two seperate words, the chalk fertile uplands were known as 'eal' and the 'Cher' is widely believed to be the stream running through the village which joins the Marden at Quemerford. In recent years there have been several Roman artefacts found around the village pointing to the possibility of there being a Roman villa or other building of some importance nearby, although I am unaware of the discovery of the site of the building.
The Church
All Saints church was built in the 13th century although parts of a 12th century door could put it as early as the previous century. A south porch and the bell tower were added in the 15th century. The church was built on Westcourt Manor and had connections to Kington St Michael priory. It was built of chalk block and free stone and consisted of the chancel and vestry, naive and aisles. In 1854 the church was renovated and the gallery was removed during these renovations. The bell tower originally held three bells although the tenor and treble bells were removed and replaced in 1636 and the remaing one was recast at some time during the late 17th or early 18th century. In the late 18th century a fourth bell was added and the fifth was added in 1931.
In 1951 the parishes of Cherhill and Yatesbury were joined under the same Rector until 1972 before becoming part of the Benefice in 1973.
Please take a tour round this most pictureseque of churches by clicking on the You Tube link below.
