The village context

Although in close proximity to the more urbanised and economic centres of Sherborne and Yeovil, public transport links are very limited. Villagers are very reliant on their own means of transport. Some limited tourism exists in the form of bed and breakfast and holiday units at Saxon Maybank.

Key events

• 705 King Ine divided Wessex and appointed Aldhelm Bishop of Sherborne including Bradford Abbas
• 839-58 King Athelstan grants land in BA to monastery at Sherborne
• 1075 Bishop of Salisbury becomes owner of parish
• 1145 parish returns to Bishop of Sherborne
• 1540 manor of BA sold by Henry VIII to Sir John Horsey of Clifton Maybank
• 1642 September 7th, Battle of Babylon Hill (English Civil War)
• 1814-1884 Professor James Buckman geologist bred the first straight parsnips; correspondent of Charles Darwin
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Bradford Abbas is