Derry Hill is a village in the English county of Wiltshire.
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Geography
Derry Hill is located to the south of the A4 at 51°26′14″N 2°03′39″W / 51.437297°N 2.060829°WCoordinates: 51°26′14″N 2°03′39″W / 51.437297°N 2.060829°W, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) east of Chippenham and 3 miles (4.8 km) to the west of Calne.
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Nearby towns and cities: Chippenham, Calne, Devizes
Nearby villages: Studley, Lacock, Pewsham, Sandy Lane,
History
The Village grew up around the Bowood estate, traditionally providing houses for the workers. In the early 19th century with the help of Bowood estate's Christ Church, Derry Hill was built. Later in the 19th century a school was built, again with help from the Bowood estate. Previously to the school being built, classes for the village children were held in various locations around the village. In addition to these facilities a village hall and reading room was built.
In the early-1970's a housing estate was built in the fields immediately to the north of village - until then the village was essentially one road and, as a result, the population grew sharply. Subsequently a new school building was built in addition to the existing one, providing three new classrooms and a school hall. Further stages of development took place around the village in the 1990's. More recently, the school was again extended with the building of two new classrooms known as the 'Davis Building'.
In order to meet the needs of the village a new village hall was built at the time of the millennium, and christened the Lansdowne Hall after the late Lord Lansdowne.
In late-2006 a new housing development of 25 new homes commenced on village land adjacent to the A4 national route, and a small number of large, individual new homes were also built during 2005-2006.
Today, Derry Hill is considered as one of most prosperous villages in the northwest Wiltshire area.
Village amenities
The Village has a village shop called the 'Village Stores', an 18th century Church of England church, a primary school, a Pub called the Landsdowne Arms and a new village hall.
Local government
Derry Hill lies within the Parish of Calne Without, which also includes the villages of Studley, Sandy Lane and Compton Bassett. At a district Level it was part of North Wiltshire District Council until 2009 (based in Chippenham) and at county level is part of Wiltshire, now a Unitary Authority. The village lies on the edge of the Devizes parliamentary constituency.
Church
Derry Hill Church is located on Church Road next to the School. It is in the Victorian style and is beautifully decorated inside. It was used regularly by the Lansdowne family for Weddings and Funerals when their private Chapel was too small. Originally built with three banks of pews the layout was altered to the current configuration in the 1960's to two banks of pews separated by a central isle. Regular services take place at the church notably Mattins, Holy Communion, and the family service on Sundays. Additionally, the Church sometimes hosts events such as concerts in order to raise funds.
See also
External links
Village
Football Club
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