Odstock
Odstock is a village and civil parish south of Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. The parish includes the village of Nunton with its nearby hamlet of Bodenham. The parish is in the valley of the River Ebble, which joins the Hampshire Avon near Bodenham.
In the woods about Odstock are earthworks. The meaning of the name is probably "Odo's stockade".
Odstock Down is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest.
History
Fragmentary records from Saxon times indicate that the Ebble valley was a thriving area, the River Ebble also being known as the River Chalke. The Domesday Book in 1086 divided the Chalke Valley into eight manors, Chelke, Eblesborne, Fifehide, Cumbe, Humitone, Odestoche, Stradford and Trow.Oliver Cromwell is said to have stayed in Odstock in a 17th-century house that was once an inn called the Parsonage.
Nunton and Bodenham were transferred from Downton parish to Odstock in 1934.
Buildings
The Grade II* listed Anglican church at Odstock is dedicated to St Mary. Originating in the 12th century, it was partially re-built by James Fowler of Louth in 1870. The previous year, Fowler added to the 1816 Odstock Rectory. Today the parish is part of the Chalke Valley Churches group.At the church is the grave of Joshua Scamp who, to protect his daughter, took the blame for his son-in-law's theft of a horse, and was hanged. Legend has it that after Joshua's death a Gypsy curse was put on the Church.
Odstock Manor House dates from the 17th century and is also Grade II* listed. It is the home of Lord Marland, businessman and Conservative politician.
What is now the Yew Tree Inn was a pair of 18th century cottages. George Ford is listed as a beer retailer and shopkeeper in Odstock in 1875 and is likely the first landlord of the inn.