Alton, Wiltshire: Difference between revisions

Alton Barnes
Alton Barnes
	The Church of St. Mary the Virgin
	Alton Barnes Location within Wiltshire
Population	249 (in 2011)
OS grid reference	SU1062
Civil parish	Alton;
Unitary authority	Wiltshire;
Ceremonial county	Wiltshire;
Region	South West;
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Marlborough
Postcode district	SN8
Dialling code	01672
Police	Wiltshire
Fire	Dorset and Wiltshire
Ambulance	South Western
UK Parliament	East Wiltshire;
Website	Parish Council
	List of places UK England Wiltshire 51°21′32″N 1°50′46″W / 51.359°N 1.846°W

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Alton is a civil parish in Wiltshire, England. The parish includes the adjacent villages of Alton Barnes and Alton Priors, and the nearby hamlet of Honeystreet on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It lies in the Vale of Pewsey about 6 miles (10 km) east of Devizes.

The north of the parish is on the Marlborough Downs and includes part of Milk Hill, which is the highest point in Wiltshire at 295 metres (968 ft). The Woodborough Stream, a tributary of the Hampshire Avon, rises at Alton Priors and separates the two villages as it flows south.^[2]

History

The area has prehistoric sites including the Knap Hill earthwork and Adam's Grave, a Neolithic long barrow. A hoard of Roman coins was discovered at Alton Barnes.^[3]

The boundaries of Alton Barnes parish were established in the early 10th century, and the ancient parish became a civil parish in 1866. Alton Priors was a chapelry of Overton parish, now West Overton, and became a separate civil parish in 1866. In 1934 the civil parishes of Alton Barnes and Alton Priors were abolished and merged to form the new civil parish of Alton.^[4]

In 1086, Domesday Book recorded two landholdings within Swanborough Hundred at Awltone: one corresponding to Alton Barnes, held by Edward of Salisbury, with 14 households and a mill;^[5] and another held by Winchester Abbey with 50 households and two mills.^[6] The association of the latter with the abbey led later to the name Alton Priors.^[7] The Wiltshire Victoria County History traces the later ownership of the manors: Alton Barnes was granted in 1385 by William of Wykeham to New College, Oxford which he had recently founded, and it remained in their ownership in 1970.^[4] Alton Priors remained with the abbey until the dissolution, then passed through several hands until the estate was bought by New College in 1912.^[7]

The Ridgeway, an ancient trackway, passes through Alton Barnes^[8] (although this section is not part of the Ridgeway National Trail, which begins further north). The Wansdyke, an early medieval earthwork, crosses the north of the parish on the Marlborough Downs.

Alton Barnes Manor Farmhouse (18th-century)^[9] and the Manor House at Alton Priors (c. 1830)^[10] are Grade II listed.

Governance

Alton is a civil parish with an elected parish council. It is in the area of the Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions, and is represented in the council by Paul Oatway.^[11] For Westminster elections, the parish is within the East Wiltshire constituency.^[12]

Parish churches

Both villages had a Church of England parish church; Alton Barnes church continues in use.

St Mary, Alton Barnes

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Alton Barnes is partly Saxon,^[13] built in the 10th and 11th centuries,^[14] although Domesday Book mentions no church. It has only a chancel, nave and west tower. The nave has characteristic Anglo-Saxon features: typically tall, narrow proportions and (visible at the west end) long-and-short quoins.^[13] The round-headed north doorway, now blocked and glazed, is another early feature.^[15]

The south door was added in the 14th century.^[14] The original chancel was as wide as the nave, but it was demolished and replaced with a brick one in 1748.^[13] The two bells are dated 1626 and 1788, and were rehung in the west gable in 1904.^[4]

There was a Saxon chancel arch but this was removed in 1832.^[13] There was a Victorian restoration in 1875, and a further restoration in 1904 directed by the local architect Charles Ponting.^[13] Pevsner assesses the nave as "over-restored" but praises its roof.^[13] The building was designated as Grade I listed in 1964.^[14]

All Saints, Alton Priors

Alton Priors' church was built in the 12th century and retains its original Norman chancel arch.^[16]^[17] The nave has two 14th-century ogee-headed windows and the west window is 15th-century.^[16] As at Alton Barnes, the original chancel has been demolished and replaced with one built of brick.^[17] There is a distinctive brass plaque to local landowner William Button (1526–1591), with complex artwork and inscription.^[18] All Saints was declared redundant in 1972^[19] and was placed in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.^[16]^[20] It is a Grade II* listed building.^[16]

Parish

Alton Priors was anciently a chapelry of Overton parish.^[7] In 1913, Alton Priors was annexed to Alton Barnes to form the parish of Alton Barnes with Alton Priors.^[21] The benefice was united with Stanton St Bernard in 1928,^[22] with the parsonage house at Stanton St Bernard to be sold, taking effect on the next vacancy (which occurred in 1932).^[4] At the same time, Honeystreet hamlet was brought into the parish from Woodborough and West Stowell hamlet was transferred to Wilsford.^[22]

A team ministry was established for the area in 1975,^[23] and today the parish is part of the Vale of Pewsey group, alongside 15 others.^[24]

Notable buildings

The former Alton Barnes glebe house, now called the Old Rectory, stands west of the church. Built in vitrified brick with dressings in red brick and stone, it has two storeys with an attic. The five-bay east range is from the 1720s or 1730s, the rear block was added in 1785 and further alterations were made around the 1830s.^[25] Augustus William Hare, orator and writer, lived here c.1829 to 1833 during his rectorship, until his early death.^[26]

At Alton Priors, the limestone T-plan house known as the Manor House was built c.1830 in the north of the village;^[27] it is surrounded by an earlier walled garden and probably replaced an earlier house.^[7] The original manor house, now The Priory, stands by the stream that separates the two Altons; built in Flemish bond brickwork in the late 17th century, it was much reduced in size in the early 19th century. What remains is a four-bay block of two storeys with attic, and a single-storey kitchen wing.^[28]

Canal

The Kennet and Avon Canal, opened in 1810, crosses the parish. A wharf at Honeystreet served the local area and a rural industrial area developed around it, including a firm of barge builders – Robbins, Lane, and Pinniger – who continued until the 1950s.^[29]^[30]

The Barge Inn was built at Honeystreet in 1858, replacing an earlier building, to cater for those living and working on the canal. It was designated as Grade II listed in 1987.^[31] In 2010, following the closure of the business, local volunteers successfully applied for funding to aid its reopening from the Village SOS lottery fund. In 2011 the project was the subject of episode 2 of Village SOS on BBC One.^[32] The group ceased to run the pub in October 2012,^[33] but it is still open, albeit in private hands, as of February 2024.^[34]

Notable people

William Button (by 1503–1547, landowner) is buried in Alton Priors church, as is his son, also William (1526–1591). Both were Members of Parliament, as were two more family members: Ambrose (c.1549–c.1608) and Sir William Button, 1st Baronet (c.1584–1655).^[35]

Distinguished rectors of Alton Barnes include Richard Steward (c. 1593–1651, royalist churchman), rector from 1630; William Crowe (1745–1829, poet) from 1787; and Augustus William Hare (1792–1834, writer) from 1831.

In popular culture

The Barge Inn at Honeystreet was a filming location for a 1998 episode of Inspector Morse, an adaptation of The Wench Is Dead. In 2013 the white horse, Adam's Grave and the Barge Inn featured in an episode of Walking Through History, presented by Tony Robinson on Channel 4.^[36]

Amenities

The Barge Inn at Honeystreet is the sole pub in the parish. Alton Barnes has a village hall, the Coronation Hall, which was built in 1953 and extended in 2000.^[37]

The nearest primary school is at Woodborough. A Parochial school was opened at Alton Barnes in 1837 and closed in 1976 owing to falling pupil numbers.^[38]

Alton Barnes White Horse

There is a chalk hill figure of a horse dating from 1812 (51°22′21″N 1°50′52″W / 51.37255°N 1.84789°W / 51.37255; -1.84789), a little more than 1000 m north of Alton. It is based on another white horse hill figure in Wiltshire, the Cherhill White Horse.

The figure is the third largest white horse in Wiltshire. The Pewsey White Horse can be seen from Milk Hill (the location of the horse). The figure is featured in Staying Out for the Summer, a music video for a song of the same name by Dodgy.

For April Fool's Day in 2003 and 2014, the horse was temporarily transformed into a zebra, on the latter occasion by applying black stripes, made from plastic sheeting, across the horse.^[39]

Crop circles

Since the late 1970s Wiltshire has become known for crop circles (patterns created by flattening a crop, usually of cereal). In 1990 a pattern at Alton was used on the cover of the Box Set compilation by rock band Led Zeppelin.^[40]

References

^ "Wiltshire Community History – Census". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
^ "Hampshire Avon (East) and Woodborough Stream". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
^ "Roman coin hoard goes on display". Wiltshire Museum. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Baggs, A.P.; Crowley, D.A.; Pugh, Ralph B.; Stevenson, Janet H.; Tomlinson, Margaret (1975). Crittall, Elizabeth (ed.). "Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 10 pp8-13 – Parishes: Alton Barnes". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
^ Alton Barnes in the Domesday Book
^ Alton Priors in the Domesday Book
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Baggs, A. P.; Critall, Elizabeth; Freeman, Jane; Stevenson, Janet H. (1980). "Parishes: Overton". In Crowley, D. A. (ed.). A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 11. Victoria County History. University of London. pp. 181–203. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via British History Online.
^ "The Altons – Village Design Statement" (PDF). Wiltshire Council. 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ Historic England. "Alton Barnes Manor Farmhouse (1364708)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
^ Historic England. "The Manor House, Alton Priors (1192555)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
^ "Your Councillors". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
^ "Election Maps: Great Britain". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Pevsner & Cherry 1975, p. 87
^ ^a ^b ^c Historic England. "Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes (1364707)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
^ "St Mary the Virgin, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire". The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland. King's College London. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Historic England. "Church of All Saints, Alton Priors (1364710)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
^ ^a ^b Pevsner & Cherry 1975, p. 88
^ "The mystery plaque of Alton priors". Crop circle wisdom. Archived from the original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
^ "No. 45736". The London Gazette. 28 July 1972. p. 9040.
^ "All Saints' Church, Alton Priors, Wiltshire". Churches Conservation Trust. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ "No. 28728". The London Gazette. 13 June 1913. pp. 4208–4211.
^ ^a ^b "No. 33369". The London Gazette. 23 March 1928. pp. 2106–2108.
^ "No. 46552". The London Gazette. 22 April 1975. p. 5166.
^ "Churches". Vale of Pewsey Churches. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
^ Historic England. "The Old Rectory (1035673)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ Hare, Augustus (1890). "Hare, Augustus William" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 24. p. 364.
^ Historic England. "The Manor House (1192555)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ Historic England. "The Priory (1035677)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ "Honey Street". Pastscape National Monument Record. English Heritage. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ "Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 19 pp214-224 – Parishes: Woodborough". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ Historic England. "Barge Inn, Alton (1365969)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ "BBC One - Village SOS, Honeystreet". BBC.
^ McLean, Patrick (4 August 2016). "Concerns raised over another sale of the Barge Inn". Gazetter & Herald. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
^ "Barge Inn, Honeystreet". whatpub.com. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
^ Baker, T. F. T. "BUTTON, William I (by 1503-47), of Alton Priors, Wilts". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
^ "Walking Through History: Stonehenge". Channel 4. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ "Alton Barnes Coronation Hall". Wiltshire Village Halls Association. Community First. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
^ "Parochial School, Alton Barnes". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 August 2015.
^ Hinman, Niki (3 April 2014). "April fool pranksters turn Alton Barnes horse into zebra". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
^ "Alton". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

Pevsner, Nikolaus; Cherry, Bridget (revision) (1975). Wiltshire. The Buildings of England. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books. pp. 87–88. ISBN 0-14-071026-4.

External links

[1] "Wiltshire Community History – Census". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 23 April 2023.

[2] "Hampshire Avon (East) and Woodborough Stream". Catchment Data Explorer. Environment Agency. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

[3] "Roman coin hoard goes on display". Wiltshire Museum. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[vch-4] Baggs, A.P.; Crowley, D.A.; Pugh, Ralph B.; Stevenson, Janet H.; Tomlinson, Margaret (1975). Crittall, Elizabeth (ed.). "Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 10 pp8-13 – Parishes: Alton Barnes". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

[5] Alton Barnes in the Domesday Book

[6] Alton Priors in the Domesday Book

[vch-overton-7] Baggs, A. P.; Critall, Elizabeth; Freeman, Jane; Stevenson, Janet H. (1980). "Parishes: Overton". In Crowley, D. A. (ed.). A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 11. Victoria County History. University of London. pp. 181–203. Retrieved 2 May 2021 – via British History Online.

[8] "The Altons – Village Design Statement" (PDF). Wiltshire Council. 2008. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[9] Historic England. "Alton Barnes Manor Farmhouse (1364708)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

[10] Historic England. "The Manor House, Alton Priors (1192555)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

[11] "Your Councillors". Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 16 July 2024.

[12] "Election Maps: Great Britain". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 16 July 2024.

[Pevsner87-13] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Pevsner & Cherry 1975, p. 87

[EH-StMary-14] Historic England. "Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes (1364707)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

[15] "St Mary the Virgin, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire". The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland. King's College London. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

[EH-AllSaints-16] Historic England. "Church of All Saints, Alton Priors (1364710)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 25 August 2015.

[Pevsner88-17] Pevsner & Cherry 1975, p. 88

[18] "The mystery plaque of Alton priors". Crop circle wisdom. Archived from the original on 6 October 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.

[19] "No. 45736". The London Gazette. 28 July 1972. p. 9040.

[20] "All Saints' Church, Alton Priors, Wiltshire". Churches Conservation Trust. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[21] "No. 28728". The London Gazette. 13 June 1913. pp. 4208–4211.

[union-22] "No. 33369". The London Gazette. 23 March 1928. pp. 2106–2108.

[23] "No. 46552". The London Gazette. 22 April 1975. p. 5166.

[24] "Churches". Vale of Pewsey Churches. Retrieved 3 May 2021.

[25] Historic England. "The Old Rectory (1035673)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

[26] Hare, Augustus (1890). "Hare, Augustus William" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 24. p. 364.

[27] Historic England. "The Manor House (1192555)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

[28] Historic England. "The Priory (1035677)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 5 May 2021.

[29] "Honey Street". Pastscape National Monument Record. English Heritage. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[30] "Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 19 pp214-224 – Parishes: Woodborough". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[31] Historic England. "Barge Inn, Alton (1365969)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[32] "BBC One - Village SOS, Honeystreet". BBC.

[33] McLean, Patrick (4 August 2016). "Concerns raised over another sale of the Barge Inn". Gazetter & Herald. Retrieved 4 August 2016.

[34] "Barge Inn, Honeystreet". whatpub.com. Retrieved 9 February 2024.

[35] Baker, T. F. T. "BUTTON, William I (by 1503-47), of Alton Priors, Wilts". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

[36] "Walking Through History: Stonehenge". Channel 4. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[37] "Alton Barnes Coronation Hall". Wiltshire Village Halls Association. Community First. Retrieved 12 June 2022.

[38] "Parochial School, Alton Barnes". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

[39] Hinman, Niki (3 April 2014). "April fool pranksters turn Alton Barnes horse into zebra". The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2021.

[40] "Alton". Wiltshire Community History. Wiltshire Council. Retrieved 26 August 2015.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Civil parish in Wiltshire, England}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
+{{For|the hamlet near Figheldean|Alton, Figheldean}}
-{{Infobox UK place
+{{Use British English|date=April 2021}}
-|static_image_name= The Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes - geograph.org.uk - 1428665.jpg
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
-|static_image_caption= St Mary the Virgin parish church, Alton Barnes
+{{Infobox UK place
-|official_name= Alton Barnes
+| static_image_name = The Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes - geograph.org.uk - 1428665.jpg
-|country= England
+| static_image_caption = The Church of St. Mary the Virgin
-|region= South West England
+| official_name = Alton Barnes
-|os_grid_reference= SU1062
+| country = England
-|coordinates = {{coord|51.359|-1.846|display=inline,title}}
+| region = South West England
-|population= 249
+| os_grid_reference = SU1062
-|population_ref= (in 2011)<ref>{{cite web|title=Wiltshire Community History - Census|url=http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?id=7|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023073901/http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcensus.php?id=7|archive-date=23 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+| coordinates = {{coord|51.359|-1.846|type:city(250)_region:GB-WIL|display=inline,title}}
-|civil_parish= Alton
+| population = 249
-|unitary_england= [[Wiltshire Council|Wiltshire]]
+| population_ref = (in 2011)<ref>{{cite web|title=Wiltshire Community History – Census|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Census?communityId=5|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
-|lieutenancy_england= [[Wiltshire]]
+| civil_parish = Alton
-|constituency_westminster= [[Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)|Devizes]]
+| unitary_england = [[Wiltshire Council|Wiltshire]]
-|post_town= Marlborough
+| lieutenancy_england = [[Wiltshire]]
-|postcode_district= SN8
+| constituency_westminster = [[East Wiltshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Wiltshire]]
-|postcode_area= SN
+| post_town = Marlborough
-|dial_code= 01672
+| postcode_district = SN8
-|website= [http://altonsandhoneystreet.org.uk/ Alton Barnes, Alton Priors and Honeystreet]
+| postcode_area = SN
+| dial_code = 01672
+| website = {{URL|https://altonsandhoneystreet.org.uk/|Parish Council}}
 }}
 '''Alton''' is a [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in [[Wiltshire]], England. The parish includes the adjacent villages of '''Alton Barnes''' and '''Alton Priors''', and the nearby [[hamlet (place)|hamlet]] of '''Honeystreet''' on the [[Kennet and Avon Canal]]. It lies in the [[Vale of Pewsey]] about {{convert|6|mi|km|0}} east of [[Devizes]].
-The north of the parish is on the [[Marlborough Downs]] and includes part of [[Milk Hill]], which is the highest point in Wiltshire at {{convert|295|m}}.
+The north of the parish is on the [[Marlborough Downs]] and includes part of [[Milk Hill]], which is the highest point in Wiltshire at {{convert|295|m}}. The Woodborough Stream, a tributary of the [[Hampshire Avon]], rises at Alton Priors and separates the two villages as it flows south.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hampshire Avon (East) and Woodborough Stream|url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108043022410|url-status=live|access-date=8 May 2021|website=Catchment Data Explorer|publisher=Environment Agency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819182213/http://environment.data.gov.uk/catchment-planning/WaterBody/GB108043022410 |archive-date=19 August 2018 }}</ref>
 ==History==
-The area has prehistoric sites including the [[Knap Hill]] [[Earthworks (archaeology)|earthwork]] and [[Adam's Grave]], a [[Neolithic British Isles|Neolithic]] [[long barrow]]. A hoard of [[Roman Britain|Roman]] coins was discovered at Alton Barnes.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Roman coin hoard goes on display | url=http://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news/index.php?Action=8&id=81&page=0 | publisher=[[Wiltshire Museum]] | date=22 July 2009 | accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref>
+The area has prehistoric sites including the [[Knap Hill]] [[Earthworks (archaeology)|earthwork]] and [[Adam's Grave]], a [[Neolithic British Isles|Neolithic]] [[long barrow]]. A hoard of [[Roman Britain|Roman]] coins was discovered at Alton Barnes.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Roman coin hoard goes on display | url=http://www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/news/index.php?Action=8&id=81&page=0 | publisher=[[Wiltshire Museum]] | date=22 July 2009 | access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>
-The boundaries of Alton Barnes parish were established in the early 10th century, and the [[ancient parish]] became a civil parish in 1866. Alton Priors was a [[chapelry]] of Overton parish, now [[West Overton]], and became a separate civil parish in 1866.  In 1934 the civil parishes of Alton Barnes and Alton Priors were abolished and merged to form the new civil parish of Alton.<ref name="vch">{{cite web|website=British History Online|title=Victoria County History - Wiltshire - Vol 10 pp8-13 - Parishes: Alton Barnes|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol10/pp8-13|publisher=University of London|accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref>
+The boundaries of Alton Barnes parish were established in the early 10th century, and the [[ancient parish]] became a civil parish in 1866. Alton Priors was a [[chapelry]] of Overton parish, now [[West Overton]], and became a separate civil parish in 1866.  In 1934 the civil parishes of Alton Barnes and Alton Priors were abolished and merged to form the new civil parish of Alton.<ref name="vch">{{cite web|editor-first=Elizabeth|editor-last=Crittall|author-first1=A.P.|author-last1=Baggs|author-first2=D.A.|author-last2=Crowley|author-first3=Ralph B.|author-last3=Pugh|author-first4=Janet H.|author-last4=Stevenson|author-first5=Margaret|author-last5=Tomlinson|website=British History Online|title=Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 10 pp8-13 – Parishes: Alton Barnes|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol10/pp8-13|publisher=University of London|access-date=25 August 2015|year=1975}}</ref>
+In 1086, [[Domesday Book]] recorded two landholdings within [[Swanborough Hundred]] at ''Awltone'': one corresponding to Alton Barnes, held by [[Edward of Salisbury]], with 14 households and a mill;<ref>{{OpenDomesday|SU1062|alton-barnes|Alton Barnes}}</ref> and another held by [[Winchester Cathedral|Winchester Abbey]] with 50 households and two mills.<ref>{{OpenDomesday|SU1162|alton-priors|Alton Priors}}</ref> The association of the latter with the abbey led later to the name Alton Priors.<ref name="vch-overton">{{Cite book|author-last1=Baggs|author-first1=A. P.|url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol11/pp181-203|title=A History of the County of Wiltshire, Volume 11|author-last2=Critall|author-first2=Elizabeth|author-last3=Freeman|author-first3=Jane|author-last4=Stevenson|author-first4=Janet H.|date=1980|publisher=University of London|editor-last=Crowley|editor-first=D. A.|series=[[Victoria County History]]|pages=181–203|chapter=Parishes: Overton|access-date=2 May 2021|via=British History Online}}</ref> The [[Wiltshire Victoria County History]] traces the later ownership of the manors: Alton Barnes was granted in 1385 by [[William of Wykeham]] to [[New College, Oxford]] which he had recently founded, and it remained in their ownership in 1970.<ref name="vch" /> Alton Priors remained with the abbey until the [[Dissolution of the Monasteries|dissolution]], then passed through several hands until the estate was bought by New College in 1912.<ref name="vch-overton" />
-In 1086 the ''[[Domesday Book]]'' records [[Edward of Salisbury]] as holder of the manor of Alton Barnes.<ref name="vch" />
-[[The Ridgeway]], an [[ancient trackway]], passes through Alton Barnes<ref>{{cite web|title=The Altons - Village Design Statement|url=http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/s71581/Alton%20Village%20Design%20Statement%20Appendix%201.pdf|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=26 August 2015|date=2008}}</ref> (although this section is not part of the Ridgeway National Trail, which begins further north). The [[Wansdyke (earthwork)|Wansdyke]], an early medieval earthwork, crosses the north of the parish on the [[Marlborough Downs]].
+[[The Ridgeway]], an [[ancient trackway]], passes through Alton Barnes<ref>{{cite web|title=The Altons – Village Design Statement|url=http://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/s71581/Alton%20Village%20Design%20Statement%20Appendix%201.pdf|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=26 August 2015|date=2008}}</ref> (although this section is not part of the Ridgeway National Trail, which begins further north). The [[Wansdyke (earthwork)|Wansdyke]], an early medieval earthwork, crosses the north of the parish on the [[Marlborough Downs]].
 Alton Barnes Manor Farmhouse (18th-century)<ref>{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1364708|desc=Alton Barnes Manor Farmhouse|access-date=25 August 2015}}</ref> and the Manor House at Alton Priors (c. 1830)<ref>{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1192555|desc=The Manor House, Alton Priors|access-date=25 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> are [[Grade II listed]].
+==Governance==
-==Local government==
-Alton is a civil parish with an elected [[Parish councils in England|parish council]]. It is in the area of the [[Wiltshire Council]] [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]], which is responsible for all significant local government functions, and is represented in the council by Paul Oatway, who succeeded [[Robert Hall (British Army officer)|Brigadier Robert Hall]] in 2013.
+Alton is a civil parish with an elected [[Parish councils in England|parish council]]. It is in the area of the [[Wiltshire Council]] [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]], which is responsible for all significant local government functions, and is represented in the council by Paul Oatway.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Your Councillors |url=https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Wiltshire Council |language=en}}</ref> For Westminster elections, the parish is within the [[East Wiltshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Wiltshire]] constituency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Maps: Great Britain |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |access-date=16 July 2024 |website= |publisher=Ordnance Survey}}</ref>
 ==Parish churches==
-[[File:All Saints Alton Priors.jpg|thumb|left|The redundant All Saints' parish church, Alton Priors]]
+[[File:All Saints Alton Priors.jpg|thumb|right|[[All Saints Church, Alton Priors]]]]
+Both villages had a [[Church of England parish church]]; Alton Barnes church continues in use.
-Each of the two villages has a [[Church of England parish church]]. The Church of [[Blessed Virgin Mary (Roman Catholic)|Saint Mary the Virgin]] in Alton Barnes is partly [[Anglo-Saxon architecture|Saxon]],<ref name="Pevsner87">{{harvnb|Pevsner|Cherry|1975|p=87}}</ref> built in the 10th and 11th centuries.<ref name="EH-StMary">{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1364707|desc=Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes|access-date=25 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> The [[nave]] has [[Anglo-Saxon architecture#Diagnostic features|characteristic Anglo-Saxon features]]: typically tall, narrow proportions and (visible at the west end) long-and-short [[Quoin (architecture)|quoins]].<ref name="Pevsner87"/> The south door was added in the 14th century.<ref name="EH-StMary"/> The original [[chancel]] was as wide as the nave, but it was demolished and replaced with a brick one in 1748.<ref name="Pevsner87"/> There was a Saxon chancel arch but this was removed in 1832.<ref name="Pevsner87"/> There was a [[Victorian restoration]] in 1875 and a further restoration in 1904 directed by the local architect [[Charles Ponting]].<ref name="Pevsner87"/> What survives is a [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade I listed building]].<ref name="EH-StMary"/>
+=== St Mary, Alton Barnes ===
+The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Alton Barnes is partly [[Anglo-Saxon architecture|Saxon]],<ref name="Pevsner87">{{harvnb|Pevsner|Cherry|1975|p=87}}</ref> built in the 10th and 11th centuries,<ref name="EH-StMary">{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1364707|desc=Church of St Mary, Alton Barnes|access-date=25 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> although Domesday Book mentions no church. It has only a [[chancel]], [[nave]] and west tower. The nave has [[Anglo-Saxon architecture#Diagnostic features|characteristic Anglo-Saxon features]]: typically tall, narrow proportions and (visible at the west end) long-and-short [[Quoin (architecture)|quoins]].<ref name="Pevsner87" /> The round-headed north doorway, now blocked and glazed, is another early feature.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Mary the Virgin, Alton Barnes, Wiltshire|url=https://www.crsbi.ac.uk/view-item?i=12795|access-date=4 May 2021|website=The Corpus of Romanesque Sculpture in Britain and Ireland|publisher=King's College London}}</ref>
+The south door was added in the 14th century.<ref name="EH-StMary" /> The original chancel was as wide as the nave, but it was demolished and replaced with a brick one in 1748.<ref name="Pevsner87" /> The two bells are dated 1626 and 1788, and were rehung in the west gable in 1904.<ref name="vch" />
+There was a Saxon chancel arch but this was removed in 1832.<ref name="Pevsner87" /> There was a [[Victorian restoration]] in 1875, and a further restoration in 1904 directed by the local architect [[Charles Ponting]].<ref name="Pevsner87" /> [[Nikolaus Pevsner|Pevsner]] assesses the nave as "over-restored" but praises its roof.<ref name="Pevsner87" /> The building was designated as [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade I listed]] in 1964.<ref name="EH-StMary" />
+=== All Saints, Alton Priors ===
 {{Main|All Saints Church, Alton Priors}}
-All Saints at Alton Priors was built in the 12th century and retains its original [[Norman architecture|Norman]] chancel arch.<ref name="EH-AllSaints">{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1364710|desc=Church of All Saints, Alton Priors|access-date=25 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref name="Pevsner88">{{harvnb|Pevsner|Cherry|1975|p=88}}</ref> The nave has two 14th-century [[ogee]]-headed windows and the west window is 15th-century.<ref name="EH-AllSaints"/> As at Alton Priors, the original chancel has been demolished and replaced with one built of brick.<ref name="Pevsner88"/> There is also a distinctive brass plaque to local landowner William Button (1526-1591), with complex artwork and inscription.<ref>{{cite web |title=The mystery plaque of Alton priors |url= http://www.cropcirclewisdom.co.uk/related/allsaints/church.html |publisher=Crop circle wisdom |accessdate=26 September 2010 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20101006191430/http://www.cropcirclewisdom.co.uk/related/allsaints/church.html |archivedate= 6 October 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref> All Saints is a [[redundant church]] in the care of the [[Churches Conservation Trust]]<ref name="EH-AllSaints"/><ref name="cct">{{cite web|title=All Saints, Alton Priors |url=http://www.visitchurches.org.uk/findachurch/all-saints-alton-priors/ |publisher=[[Churches Conservation Trust]] |accessdate=26 September 2010 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and is a [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade II* listed building]].<ref name="EH-AllSaints"/>
+Alton Priors' church was built in the 12th century and retains its original [[Norman architecture|Norman]] chancel arch.<ref name="EH-AllSaints">{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1364710|desc=Church of All Saints, Alton Priors|access-date=25 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref><ref name="Pevsner88">{{harvnb|Pevsner|Cherry|1975|p=88}}</ref> The nave has two 14th-century [[ogee]]-headed windows and the west window is 15th-century.<ref name="EH-AllSaints" /> As at Alton Barnes, the original chancel has been demolished and replaced with one built of brick.<ref name="Pevsner88" /> There is a distinctive brass plaque to local landowner [[William Button (1526–1591)]], with complex artwork and inscription.<ref>{{cite web |title=The mystery plaque of Alton priors |url= http://www.cropcirclewisdom.co.uk/related/allsaints/church.html |publisher=Crop circle wisdom |access-date=26 September 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101006191430/http://www.cropcirclewisdom.co.uk/related/allsaints/church.html |archive-date= 6 October 2010 <!--DASHBot-->|url-status = live}}</ref> All Saints was declared [[redundant church|redundant]] in 1972<ref>{{London Gazette
+| issue = 45736
+| date = 28 July 1972
+| page = 9040
+| nolink = y
+}}</ref> and was placed in the care of the [[Churches Conservation Trust]].<ref name="EH-AllSaints" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=All Saints' Church, Alton Priors, Wiltshire|url=https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/all-saints-alton-priors.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Churches Conservation Trust|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161019034955/https://www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/church-listing/all-saints-alton-priors.html |archive-date=19 October 2016 }}</ref> It is a [[Listed building#Categories of listed building|Grade II* listed building]].<ref name="EH-AllSaints" />
+=== Parish ===
+Alton Priors was anciently a [[chapelry]] of Overton parish.<ref name="vch-overton" /> In 1913, Alton Priors was annexed to Alton Barnes to form the parish of Alton Barnes with Alton Priors.<ref>{{London Gazette
+| issue = 28728
+| date = 13 June 1913
+| pages = 4208–4211
+}}</ref> The benefice was united with [[Stanton St Bernard]] in 1928,<ref name="union">{{London Gazette
+| issue = 33369
+| date = 23 March 1928
+| pages = 2106-2108
+| nolink = y
+}}</ref> with the parsonage house at Stanton St Bernard to be sold, taking effect on the next vacancy (which occurred in 1932).<ref name="vch" /> At the same time, Honeystreet hamlet was brought into the parish from [[Woodborough, Wiltshire|Woodborough]] and West Stowell hamlet was transferred to [[Wilsford, Wiltshire|Wilsford]].<ref name="union" />
+A team ministry was established for the area in 1975,<ref>{{London Gazette
+| issue = 46552
+| date = 22 April 1975
+| page = 5166
+| nolink = y
+}}</ref> and today the parish is part of the Vale of Pewsey group, alongside 15 others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Churches|url=https://www.valeofpewsey.org/churches/team-churches/|access-date=3 May 2021|website=Vale of Pewsey Churches}}</ref>
+== Notable buildings ==
+The former Alton Barnes [[glebe]] house, now called the Old Rectory, stands west of the church. Built in vitrified brick with dressings in red brick and stone, it has two storeys with an attic. The five-bay east range is from the 1720s or 1730s, the rear block was added in 1785 and further alterations were made around the 1830s.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1035673|desc=The Old Rectory|access-date=5 May 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> [[Augustus William Hare]], orator and writer, lived here c.1829 to 1833 during his rectorship, until his early death.<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Hare, Augustus William |volume= 24 |last= Hare |first= Augustus |author-link= Augustus Hare |page=364 |short= 1}}</ref>
+At Alton Priors, the limestone T-plan house known as the Manor House was built c.1830 in the north of the village;<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1192555|desc=The Manor House|access-date=5 May 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> it is surrounded by an earlier walled garden and probably replaced an earlier house.<ref name="vch-overton" /> The original manor house, now The Priory, stands by the stream that separates the two Altons; built in [[Flemish bond]] brickwork in the late 17th century, it was much reduced in size in the early 19th century. What remains is a four-bay block of two storeys with attic, and a single-storey kitchen wing.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England|num=1035677|desc=The Priory|access-date=5 May 2021|fewer-links=yes}}</ref>
 ==Canal==
-The [[Kennet and Avon Canal]], opened in 1810, crosses the parish. A wharf at Honeystreet served the local area and a rural industrial area developed around it, including a firm of barge builders - Robbins, Lane, and Pinniger - who continued until the 1950s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honey Street|url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=221270|work=Pastscape National Monument Record|publisher=[[English Heritage]]|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=British History Online|title=Victoria County History - Wiltshire - Vol 19 pp214-224 - Parishes: Woodborough|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol10/pp214-224|publisher=University of London|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref>
+The [[Kennet and Avon Canal]], opened in 1810, crosses the parish. A wharf at Honeystreet served the local area and a rural industrial area developed around it, including a firm of barge builders – Robbins, Lane, and Pinniger – who continued until the 1950s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Honey Street|url=http://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=221270|work=Pastscape National Monument Record|publisher=[[English Heritage]]|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=British History Online|title=Victoria County History – Wiltshire – Vol 19 pp214-224 – Parishes: Woodborough|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/wilts/vol10/pp214-224|publisher=University of London|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>
-The Barge Inn was built at Honeystreet in 1858, replacing an earlier building, to cater for those living and working on the canal. It was designated as Grade II listed in 1987.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1365969|desc=Barge Inn, Alton|access-date=26 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> In 2010, following the closure of the business, local volunteers successfully applied for funding to aid its reopening from the [[Village SOS - Big Lottery Fund|Village SOS]] lottery fund. In 2011 the project was the subject of episode 2 of ''Village SOS'' on [[BBC One]].<ref>{{BBC episode|id=b013gjkt|episode=Village SOS: Honeystreet}}</ref> The group ceased to run the pub in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McLean|first1=Patrick|title=Concerns raised over another sale of the Barge Inn|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/14661942.Concerns_raised_over_another_sale_of_the_Barge_Inn/|website=Gazetter & Herald|accessdate=4 August 2016|date=4 August 2016}}</ref>
+The Barge Inn was built at Honeystreet in 1858, replacing an earlier building, to cater for those living and working on the canal. It was designated as Grade II listed in 1987.<ref>{{National Heritage List for England entry|num=1365969|desc=Barge Inn, Alton|access-date=26 August 2015|fewer-links=yes}}</ref> In 2010, following the closure of the business, local volunteers successfully applied for funding to aid its reopening from the [[Village SOS - Big Lottery Fund|Village SOS]] lottery fund. In 2011 the project was the subject of episode 2 of ''Village SOS'' on [[BBC One]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b013gjkt|title=BBC One - Village SOS, Honeystreet|website=BBC}}</ref> The group ceased to run the pub in October 2012,<ref>{{cite web|last1=McLean|first1=Patrick|title=Concerns raised over another sale of the Barge Inn|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/14661942.Concerns_raised_over_another_sale_of_the_Barge_Inn/|website=Gazetter & Herald|access-date=4 August 2016|date=4 August 2016}}</ref> but it is still open, albeit in private hands, as of February 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Barge Inn, Honeystreet |url=https://whatpub.com/pubs/SWN/190/barge-inn-honeystreet |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=whatpub.com}}</ref>
 ==Notable people==
+[[William Button (died 1547)|William Button]] (by 1503–1547, landowner) is buried in Alton Priors church, as is his son, also [[William Button (1526–1591)|William]] (1526–1591). Both were Members of Parliament, as were two more family members: [[Ambrose Button|Ambrose]] (c.1549–c.1608) and [[Sir William Button, 1st Baronet]] (c.1584–1655).<ref>{{cite web|last=Baker|first=T. F. T.|title=BUTTON, William I (by 1503-47), of Alton Priors, Wilts.|url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1509-1558/member/button-william-i-1503-47|access-date=8 May 2021|website=History of Parliament Online}}</ref>
-[[William Button (died 1547)|William Button]] (by 1503-1547, politician) is buried in Alton Priors church.
-Distinguished [[Rector (ecclesiastical)#Anglican churches|rectors]] of Alton Barnes include [[Richard Steward]] (c. 1593-1651, royalist churchman), rector from 1630; [[William Crowe (poet)|William Crowe]] (1745-1829, poet) from 1787; and [[Augustus William Hare]] (1792-1834, writer) from 1831.
+Distinguished [[Rector (ecclesiastical)#Anglican churches|rectors]] of Alton Barnes include [[Richard Steward]] (c. 1593–1651, royalist churchman), rector from 1630; [[William Crowe (poet)|William Crowe]] (1745–1829, poet) from 1787; and [[Augustus William Hare]] (1792–1834, writer) from 1831.
 ==In popular culture==
-The Barge Inn at Honeystreet was a filming location for a 1998 episode of ''[[Inspector Morse (TV series)|Inspector Morse]]'', an adaptation of ''[[The Wench Is Dead#Television and radio adaptations|The Wench Is Dead]]''. In 2013 the white horse, Adam's Grave and the Barge Inn featured in an episode of ''Walking Through History'', presented by [[Tony Robinson]] on [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Walking Through History: Stonehenge|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/walking-through-history/on-demand/57737-001|publisher=Channel 4|accessdate=26 August 2015}}</ref>
+The Barge Inn at Honeystreet was a filming location for a 1998 episode of ''[[Inspector Morse (TV series)|Inspector Morse]]'', an adaptation of ''[[The Wench Is Dead#Television and radio adaptations|The Wench Is Dead]]''. In 2013 the white horse, Adam's Grave and the Barge Inn featured in an episode of ''Walking Through History'', presented by [[Tony Robinson]] on [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Walking Through History: Stonehenge|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/walking-through-history/on-demand/57737-001|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>
 ==Amenities==
-The Barge Inn at Honeystreet is the sole [[pub]] in the parish. Alton Barnes has a village hall.
+The Barge Inn at Honeystreet is the sole [[pub]] in the parish. Alton Barnes has a village hall, the Coronation Hall, which was built in 1953 and extended in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alton Barnes Coronation Hall |url=https://wvha.org.uk/listing/alton-barnes-coronation-hall/ |access-date=2022-06-12 |website=Wiltshire Village Halls Association |publisher=Community First |language=en-US}}</ref>
-The nearest primary school is at [[Woodborough, Wiltshire|Woodborough]]. A [[Parochial school]] was opened at Alton Barnes in 1837 and closed in 1976 owing to falling pupil numbers.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Parochial School, Alton Barnes|url=http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getschool.php?id=1433|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023042553/http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getschool.php?id=1433|archive-date=23 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+The nearest primary school is at [[Woodborough, Wiltshire|Woodborough]]. A [[Parochial school]] was opened at Alton Barnes in 1837 and closed in 1976 owing to falling pupil numbers.<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Parochial School, Alton Barnes|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/1433|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>
-==Alton Barnes white horse==
+==Alton Barnes White Horse==
 {{main|Alton Barnes White Horse}}
-[[File:Alton Barnes White Horse - geograph.org.uk - 1744619.jpg|thumb|left|Alton Barnes white horse from the southwest]]
+[[File:Alton Barnes White Horse - geograph.org.uk - 1744619.jpg|thumb|left|Alton Barnes White Horse from the southwest]]
-[[File:Alton Barnes white horse - from the air.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the Alton Barnes white horse]]
+[[File:Alton Barnes white horse - from the air.jpg|thumb|Aerial photo of the Alton Barnes White horse]]
 There is a chalk [[hill figure]] of a horse dating from 1812 ({{coord|51.37255|-1.84789|display=inline|region:GB-WIL_scale:2000}}), a little more than 1000 m north of Alton. It is based on another white horse hill figure in Wiltshire, the [[Cherhill White Horse]].
 The figure is the third largest white horse in Wiltshire. The [[Pewsey#Pewsey White Horse|Pewsey White Horse]] can be seen from [[Milk Hill]] (the location of the horse). The figure is featured in ''Staying Out for the Summer'', a music video for a song of the same name by [[Dodgy]].
-For [[April Fool's Day]] in 2003 and 2014, the horse was temporarily transformed into a zebra, which in the latter case was created by applying black stripes, made from plastic sheeting, across the horse.<ref>http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/11125290.April_fool_pranksters_turn_Alton_Barnes_horse_into_zebra/</ref>
+For [[April Fool's Day]] in 2003 and 2014, the horse was temporarily transformed into a zebra, on the latter occasion by applying black stripes, made from plastic sheeting, across the horse.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hinman|first=Niki|date=3 April 2014|title=April fool pranksters turn Alton Barnes horse into zebra|url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/11125290.april-fool-pranksters-turn-alton-barnes-horse-into-zebra/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-04|website=The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024114806/https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/11125290.april-fool-pranksters-turn-alton-barnes-horse-into-zebra/ |archive-date=24 October 2020 }}</ref>
 {{clear}}
 ==Crop circles==
-Since the late 1970s Wiltshire has become known for [[crop circle]]s (patterns created by flattening a crop, usually of cereal). In 1990 a pattern at Alton was used on the cover of the ''[[Led Zeppelin Boxed Set|Box Set]]'' compilation by rock band [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Alton|url=http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom2.php?id=5|publisher=Wiltshire Council|accessdate=26 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065631/http://history.wiltshire.gov.uk/community/getcom2.php?id=5|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+Since the late 1970s Wiltshire has become known for [[crop circle]]s (patterns created by flattening a crop, usually of cereal). In 1990 a pattern at Alton was used on the cover of the ''[[Led Zeppelin Boxed Set|Box Set]]'' compilation by rock band [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref>{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Alton|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Community/Index/5|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=26 August 2015}}</ref>
 ==References==
 {{Reflist|30em}}
+* {{cite book|last1=Pevsner|first1=Nikolaus|title=Wiltshire|last2=Cherry|first2=Bridget (revision)|publisher=[[Penguin Books]]|year=1975|isbn=0-14-071026-4|series=[[Pevsner Architectural Guides#Buildings of England|The Buildings of England]]|location=Harmondsworth|pages=87–88|author1-link=Nikolaus Pevsner}}
-==Sources and further reading==
-*{{cite book |last1=Crittall |first1=Elizabeth (ed.) |last2=Baggs |first2=A. P. |last3=Crowley |first3=D. A. |last4=Pugh |first4=Ralph B. |last5=Stevenson |first5=Janet H. |last6=Tomlinson |first6=Margaret |year=1975 |chapter=Alton Barnes |title=A History of the County of Wiltshire |series=[[Victoria County History]] |volume=10: Swanborough hundred; the borough of Devizes |location= |publisher= |isbn= |pages= |url= http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=102774 |ref=harv}}
-*{{cite book |last1=Pevsner |first1=Nikolaus |author1-link=Nikolaus Pevsner |last2=Cherry |first2=Bridget (revision) |year=1975 |title=Wiltshire |series=[[Pevsner Architectural Guides#Buildings of England|The Buildings of England]] |location=Harmondsworth |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=0-14-071026-4 |pages=87–88 |ref=harv}}
 ==External links==
-{{Commons category|Alton, Wiltshire|position=left}}
+{{Commons category}}
-*[https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3187131 www.geograph.co.uk : photos of the Altons and surrounding area]
+* [https://altonsandhoneystreet.org.uk/ Alton Parish Council]
+* [https://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=3187131 geograph.co.uk: photos of the Altons and surrounding area]
-*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/8265431.stm BBC webpage about the White Horse]
+* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/8265431.stm BBC page about the White Horse]
-*[http://www.tvhgc.co.uk Thames Valley Hang Gliding Club]
+* [https://www.tvhgc.co.uk/ Thames Valley Hang Gliding Club]
-*{{OpenDomesday|SU1546|alton|Alton}}
 *{{OpenDomesday|SU1062|alton-barnes|Alton &#91;Barnes&#93;}}
 *{{OpenDomesday|SU1162|alton-priors|Alton &#91;Priors&#93;}}