Our Village

The Village

Aldbourne is a downland village set in a chalk basin some 105 metres above sea level and is situated in the north-east of Wiltshire. Housing, with one exception, is contained within the valley and does not extend beyond the skyline.

The stream from which the village derives its name is a winter-bourne. It rises to the north-west of the Parish and flows in a south-easterly direction towards Ramsbury, where it joins the river Kennet at Knighton. The springs which feed it only produce a continuous flow when the water table is high, or during exceptionally heavy rainfalls. The climate is comparatively dry, but gardens often suffer from the early and late frosts experienced in the area.

Three valleys lead out of the village. Those to the northwest and south-east contain the main Swindon - Hungerford road(B4192), whilst the valley to the north embraces the lower Swindon road. To reach Marlborough to the south-west and Lambourn to the north-east the traveller uses minor roads which wind over the downs. These rise to over 210 metres above sea level, where they are exposed to the elements and are occasionally snowbound during the winter months.

Main line railway stations at Swindon and Hungerford Halt and nearby access to the M4 Motorway (at interchanges 14 and 15), make the village a good centre of communication for the south of England.

Outlying hamlets at Upham and Woodsend also fall within the confines of the Parish boundaries.

This section provides a host of interesting articles on the geography of the village and the people.