Horningsham, Wiltshire

Description
Horningsham, a village and a parish in Wiltshire. The village stands near the boundary with Somerset, 4 1/2 miles SW of Warminster town and station on the G.W.R., enjoys picturesque environs, resembling the best parts of Devonshire, and has a post and telegraph office under Warminster; money order office, Maiden Bradley. Acreage, 3449; population of the civil parish, 862; of the ecclesiastical, 803. A well is here covered with masonry, partly old, and inscribed with the words-."0 ye wells, bless the Lord; with thee is the spring of life." The manor belonged formerly to the Arun-dells of Wardour, and belongs now to the Marquis of Bath. Remains of the Arundells' manor house adjoin the church, and contain in an upper room a chimney-piece sculptured with their arms, and reaching from floor to ceiling. Part of the extensive park of Longleat, the seat of the Marquis of Bath, is within the parish. Fine views over parts of Wiltshire, Dorsetshire, and Somerset are commanded by a hill. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Salisbury; value, £240 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Salisbury. The church, excepting the tower, was rebuilt in 1844 by the Marchioness of Bath, after designs by Wyatt and Brandon, at a cost of more than £5000, and is a handsome edifice. Bishop Ken usually repaired to the old church during his residence at Longleat, and he is said to have composed on a neighbouring eminence his "Morning and Evening Hymns." There are a Congregational chapel, a national school, and charities.