Biddestone, Wiltshire

Biddestone is a village and civil parish in northwest Wiltshire, England, about 3mi west of Chippenham and 2mi north of Corsham. The parish includes the smaller settlement of Slaughterford.GeographyThe Bybrook River forms the western boundary of the parish, while the northern boundary follows approximately the Bristol to Chippenham road, now the A420.The parish is just inside the eastern boundary of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Sites of Special Scientific Interest include Honeybrook Farm and Colerne Park and Monk's Wood, both near Slaughterford.HistoryThe Manor House and Manor Farmhouse are from the 17th century, as are Pool Farmhouse and Elm Cottage.Local governmentThe civil parish elects a parish council. It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions.Religious sitesThe Church of England parish church of St Nicholas is Grade I listed. It has a Norman doorway and windows, and a 13th-century bell turret on its roof.