West Littleton Village

About our Village

West Littleton is a small village to the north west of Marshfield and south east of Tormarton, located between the M4 and the A420. It has 25 houses, a working farm, an eventing yard and St James’s Church. The closest amenities are to be found in Marshfield and the historical city of Bath is a short distance to the south. Dyrham Park, a National Trust property, is located a few hundred metres from the village. (CLICK to view the map for West Littleton)

The village has long been connected with the Badminton Estate, which until recently owned two working farms here, both arable, one with a beef herd and the other with a milking herd. West Farm, now the only working farm, remains in the Duke of Beaufort’s ownership and is a mixed arable and sheep farm, whilst some of the other farmland around the village still belongs to the Badminton Estate and is leased.

West Littleton is a beautiful village with many buildings having stone tiled roofs and walls built of Cotswold stone. Dry stone walling in Cotswold stone abounds, defining field and private home boundaries alike.

The village is sited within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and in 1992 was designated a Conservation area. Many of the older properties are Grade II listed buildings.

West Littleton’s history is well documented. In 2022, West Littleton was included in Volume 14 of Gloucestershire Victoria County History and a stand-alone booklet has been published. You can read the County History about West Littleton HERE!

More recently, West Littleton resident Sally Young has compiled a new and bigger booklet, inspired by the VCH work, about the village history, church and the families that lived in the village. You can read this publication HERE!

St James's Church

The Church of St James is small in scale and originated in the 13th century. It was rebuilt in 1855 after being largely destroyed by fire. The 13th century bell is one of the most historic and finest in the region today.
The church is accessed from the village green and is surrounded on all sides by a peaceful churchyard. In 2014, a considerable area of the churchyard was given over to wild flowers, grasses and meadow flowers as well as Spring and Autumn bulbs.
The church has a collection of 18th and 19th century memorials and tombs which were the subject of a considerable programme of conservation work in 2010.

Church Services

There are two services every month, both from the Book of Common Prayer. A said Service of Holly Communion is held on the fourth Sunday at 9am and lasts for 45 minutes. The other is a traditional service of Matins which is held on the second Sunday at 10,30am, again lasting for 45 minutes. Please visit marshfieldchurches.org for more information.

West Littleton Churchyard Wild Flowers Project

A significant area of the churchyard is given over to wild flowers, focusing on the areas to the west of the church, along the northern boundary under the trees and under the trees at the entrance to the churchyard. We have planted wild daffodils, cyclamen, snowdrops, anemones, fritillaries and cowslips, alongside a sowing of meadow flowers and grasses. More recently, we have planted foxglove, Red Campion and a wide variety of other wild flower seeds. The cost of the project was met by a number of private donors, Tormarton Parish Council and a grant from South Gloucestershire Council Biodiversity Action Group.

West Littleton Events

We have a close and thriving community within the village and enjoy getting together at a variety of village events to raise funds for charity and the upkeep of St James’s Church.

Madrigal Concert

Since 1985 (apart from two years during the Covid pandemic), we welcome the University of Bristol Madrigal Ensemble for an evening concert, usually in March, in St James’s Church followed by a supper. The evening is hugely successful, normally attracting an audience of around 80. Look out for local publicity or visit marshfieldchurches.org, for more information.

Open Gardens

West Littleton was one of the first villages in the UK to launch the ‘open garden’ concept over 30 years ago. West Littleton’s gardens range from traditional country cottages and woodland gardens through to formal landscapes and sweeping lawns. Rose gardens, herbaceous borders, orchards, productive vegetable and fruit gardens and wildflower areas – something for all. The event is held on two afternoons during a weekend in June.

Teas and homemade cakes are available to buy and we also have a plant sale. Look out for local publicity or visit opengardens.co.uk

Annual Harvest Festival

Our annual Harvest Festival church service takes place in September. Details will be published at marshfieldchurches.org

Carol Service

The church is beautifully decorated for our Carol Service and Christingle, which is followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Details will be available at marshfieldchurches.org

Village Walks

There are many walking routes to and from and through West Littleton. The Cotswold Way is currently re-routed on the outskirts of the village towards the A46, with many walkers exploring the village.

The Cotswold Voluntary Wardens offer guided walks across the Cotswolds National Landscape and West Littleton routes are often included in their walks. These walks offer an interesting and often entertaining way of exploring our wonderful Cotswold countryside and landscape

Other useful guides include:

Guide to West Littleton Village and Church	Download
Village trail	Download
Church trail	Download