The History of Derry Hill and Studley

Studley was a settlement in the Roman period. Derry Hill (originally Red Hill) grew out of the ancient settlement of Studley. 

The original hamlet of Derry Hill, now known as 'Old Derry Hill', lies at the foot of the hill. Most houses now standing in Derry Hill and Studley were built in the 19th or 20th century, with some 19th-century ones built on 18th-century house sites. 

The 1840’s saw significant building – the monumental Grade II* listed Golden Gates were erected in 1841 as the entrance arch to the Bowood estate. Christ Church was built in 1840, and the Lansdowne Arms were built in 1843. 

The original Derry Hill School was built in 1843, re-locating when the current school and the adjoining Headteacher’s house were built 1872.  Later the original school building became the Institute and then Old Village Hall. The current Village Hall - the Lansdowne Hall - was built in the 1990’s.  

The village traditionally provided houses for the Bowood estate workers. The main housing development has taken place since the early-1970's, with 6 phases of house building. Today the population of Derry Hill and Studley is circa 1,000 people and sits within the parish of Calne Without.

We established the King Charles III History Trail in 2023 to mark the Coronation of Charles III. The trail highlights points of interest across the village.