WEST CHALLOW

West Challow is a small village at the foot of the Berkshire Downs. It has four roads which form a square with most of the houses on the 'inside' edge of the square. They dont give away much about themselves and as you walk around you feel that the village is a very 'private' sort of village, not wanting to expose itself too much!

The village has its own small church, the Church of St. Laurence reached by footpath from three of the roads in a quite attractive location near a small brook. The church has a C12 nave and C15 chancel and porch and the windows in the east, north and south walls are original. In the porch is an old notice which reveals that The Incorporated Church Building Society granted £15 in 1891 towards reseating and repairing the church and that all the seats are for the free use of parishioners in accordance with the law! For the history and full information about St. James' Church click here.

Manor Farmhouse on the northern edge of the village is a Queen Anne–style Grade II listed building with earlier parts. 

The old Wilts and Berks Canal skirts the village on the south side. The canal used to run from Trowbridge to Abingdon and it is being gradually restored by the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust.

About half a mile from the village is the site of a roman villa. It was situated in an idyllic spot on the Downs with delightful views over the Vale of the White Horse about half a mile from the prehistoric Icknield Way, which was known to have been used in Roman times.

West Challow is about two and a half miles west of Wantage, just south of the A417.