| Country: | England |
| Static Image Name: | Church of All Saints, Yatesbury - geograph.org.uk - 1057120.jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | Church of All Saints, Yatesbury |
| Coordinates: | 51.444°N -1.906°W |
| Official Name: | Yatesbury |
| Civil Parish: | Cherhill |
| Unitary England: | Wiltshire |
| Lieutenancy England: | Wiltshire |
| Region: | South West England |
| Constituency Westminster: | Chippenham |
| Post Town: | Calne |
| Postcode District: | SN11 |
| Postcode Area: | SN |
| Dial Code: | 01249 |
| Os Grid Reference: | SU066716 |
Yatesbury is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Cherhill, in Wiltshire, England. It is in the northeast of Cherhill parish, north of the A4 road between Calne – about 4miles away – and Marlborough.
Yatesbury was an ancient parish and in the 19th century became a civil parish, which was absorbed by Cherhill parish on 1 April 1934.[1] In 1931 the parish had a population of 140.[2] Yatesbury today has a population of about 150. Whilst having no shops or amenities, the village is on National Cycle Route 403.[3] It is noted for RAF Yatesbury, which was an important training centre during World War II.
The Church of England parish church of All Saints has 12th-century origins, and 13th-century work can be seen inside; the nave roof and tower are 15th-century. There is a canonical sundial on the south wall. The chancel was rebuilt in 1854 by C.H. Gabriel, and the church was designated as Grade I listed in 1960.
Since 1973[4] the parish has been part of the Oldbury Benefice, which comprises the five parishes of Calstone Wellington, Cherhill, Compton Bassett, Heddington and Yatesbury.[5]
The nearest primary school is at Cherhill. Yatesbury had its own small school from 1856 to 1963; after the school closed the building became the village hall.[6]
The Granary at Manor Farm, Yatesbury, was restored by the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust in 2006–2007.[7]
See main article: RAF Yatesbury. Opened as a Royal Flying Corps training site in 1916,[8] the station closed three years later and returned to farmland.[9] Pilot training resumed in 1936, then from 1939 the site was used to train many airborne wireless operators and, from 1942, radar operators.[10] [11] Training of radar operators, mechanics and fitters continued until 1965;[11] in 1969 the wooden huts were demolished and the land returned again to farming, leaving several brick-built buildings and hangars.[12]
The singer, songwriter and author Julian Cope has lived in the village for many years.[13] He referenced the village in the song My Wall in which he collaborated with the American drone metal band Sunn 0))), as well as in his 2013 publication, Copendium.