Although our village was first settled in Saxon times, it was not until the early 17th century, when the earliest stone cottages were built, that the Fovant seen today began to take shape. Most of the houses are situated along the High Street, Tisbury Road and Dinton Road and many are built end-on to the road, making the most of the space in the narrow valley.
A walk around the village reveals extensive use of stone as a building material. This greenstone is commonly called Chilmark stone and may have come from quarries in that area. It must not be forgotten however that since Fovant at one time had its own quarry situated behind the grounds of the Pembroke Arms, some of the cottages may have been built from Fovant stone.
Notwithstanding the increased house building that has taken place during modern times, the overall shape and size of the village have changed little over the centuries. Confined not only by its topography, but also by a housing policy which does not permit building beyond its boundaries, the village has expanded as houses have been fitted in between existing dwellings. Considerable care has been taken to harmonise the building materials of the new with the old, resulting in an interesting mix of the ancient and modern.
Although Fovant has altered considerably since it was first settled, despite the changes, the shape of the original Saxon street village can still be seen.
Click on the links below to find more information on Fovant buildings of various sorts:
Content last updated
31 October 2015