1848
Heytesbury, in the Hundred of its name and Warminster Poor Law Union, is distant 92 miles south-west from London, 18 north-west from Salisbury, and 4 south-east from Warminster; it is a small but agreeable town, situated on the banks of the Wiley [Wylye] and borders of Salisbury Plain, consisting principally of one street, and contains a hospital or almshouse of very ancient foundation for 12 poor men, one woman, and a custos, who must be in Holy Orders, and act as chaplain.
The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, is collegiate, and possesses four prebends in Salisbury Cathedral; it is cruciform in plan, and consists of chancel, nave, and two aisles, the chancel of Early English, and the rest principally in the decorated style of architecture; the tower contains 6 bells. The living is a perpetual curacy, of £131 annual value, and in the presentation of the bishop.
Heytesbury is a prescriptive borough, governed by a bailiff and burgesses, and enjoyed a double representation till disfranchised by the Reform Act.
The market is discontinued, but an annual fair is still held on the 14th May.
Near the town is Heytesbury House, the seat of Lord Heytesbury, a title conferred on Sir William a’Court in 1828; the house was rebuilt about 1784, and the grounds are extensive.
On Cotley Hill, north-west of the town, is a tumulus, surrounded by an intrenchment 480 feet in diameter, and on the summit of another hill, at no great distance, is Scratchbury camp, above a mile in circumference; about 2 miles north-east is Knooke castle, an earthwork similarly situated.
On Knooke down, the sites of two British villages are indicated by indubitable signs of early habitation, and connected by Old Ditch, probably a British road running from Westbury Leigh to Durnford on the Avon.
About a ¼ of a mile from Knooke castle is Bowls Barrow, and on the north bank of the Wiley, Golden Barrow.
Here is a place of worship for the Independents, and a National School.
Population, in 1841, was 1,311; area in acres, 5,237.