Sherston, Wiltshire

Sherston is a village in the English county of Wiltshire.

Ethelred, who was Ealdorman of Mercia, made the first mention of Sherston or Scorranstone. Evidence of Roman activity has been found in the village in the form of ramparts and ditches in a field called Pennymead, which is now the recreation ground. Remains of a villa, built around 350AD, have also been discovered. The Fosseway, a major Roman road, is nearby.

In 1016 King Cnut came with his army and was met by the Saxons. A battle took place over two days on the hills around Sherston. John Rattlebone of Sherston was the leader of the local militia and is now an emblem of Sherston and its community. His name is celebrated in a local hostelry, The Rattlebone Inn.

In 1511 a fire destroyed most of Sherston. The old part of the village is laid out around a broad High Street with a borough arrangement. Much of this lies within a conservation area. The newer parts of the village represent housing styles of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Every year in July, on the Saturday closest to 14 July a carnival takes place. The main attraction is the boules tournament and music evening, which features local bands.

Sherston has a football and a cricket team. There are two pubs, the "Rattlebone" and the "Carpenters Arms".

The village has a shop, and a post office that stocks essential provisions as well as local produce. It has won ‘Best Rural Retailer’ award in the Best Shop/Post Office category for Wessex.

Until his death in 2002, John Thaw, the famous actor, lived nearby, with his wife, the actress Sheila Hancock.

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