Key facts
OS grid ref: SU029300
What3words: ///chain.about.interests
Postcode: SP3
Post town: Salisbury
Unitary Authority: Wiltshire
Parliamentary Constituency: South West Wiltshire
Compton Chamberlayne
Compton Chamberlayne is a small, pretty, historic village in the Nadder Valley, dotted with thatched cottages, and with the crystal clear waters of the River Nadder flowing through it. It’s a rural idyll where time seems to have stood still.
Bordered by chalk hills and stunning quintessential Wiltshire countryside, most of the homes sit in a small wooded valley. This is is where it originally got its name – ‘Compton’ derived from two words, coombe and ton, or ‘settlement in a wooded valley’. Chamberlayne was added when Robert le Chamberlayne owned the village in the Middle Ages.
Disected by the A30, it’s around 12 miles to the west of the cathedral city of Salisbury, with its shops, restaurants, pubs, culture, heritage and facilities. From there, the Exeter London line takes you to Waterloo in less than 90 minutes. Tisbury with its amenities and train station is less than 15 minutes away, and bustling Broad Chalke less than that.
The River Nadder is a chalk stream, a rare form of river created as it rises from springs with a chalk bedrock, creating crystal clear water – a fly fisherman’s dream. Fly fishing is available at Compton Chamberlayne Estate.
In WWI, thousands of Australian and Canadian troops camped in the fields to the north of the chalk downlands, called Hurdcott Camp, to convalesce from injuries sustained in battle. In the village is a Commonwealth Graves Commissions Cemetery where 28 Australian and six British and Irish soldiers are buried. It’s believed some died from their injuries and some from influenza which swept through the camp. There is still a field called ‘hospital’ where the military medical facility was based.
Compton Chamberlayne has a vibrant community with a village hall, and nearby is Compton Chamberlayne Cricket Club.
There’s a bus stop in the village, operated by Salisbury Reds.
History
The village was recorded in the Domesday Book showing that the local manor had a mill, some pastureland, meadows and two woods at that time.
To the south east of the village, is an outline of Australia carved into the chalk downs during WWI, but it was left to grass over. At 46 metres wide and 28 metres high, a group of local volunteers restored the map and now mark Australia’s Anzac Day with a service there. It’s now a Historic England Scheduled Monument.
The Church of St Michael was built in the 13th Century at the same time as Salisbury Cathedral just seven miles away and is Grade II listed. Its grounds are home to a huge, ancient yew tree. In the late 19th Century, the village became known for its watercress beds. The clear and chalky streams were perfect for growing the crop which was transported to London by rail. Today, one of the last watercress beds is maintained as a nature reserve.
On the edge of the village is Compton Park House, a Grade I listed country house.
Walking and cycling
This is a walk from Elaine Perkins on the Hidden Wiltshire website.
It takes you 6.5 miles from the village of Dinton to Compton Chamberlayne, skirting Fovant Wood and returning to Dinton across the water meadows and the park.