Charlton-All-Saints

The settlement has existed since Saxon times. The name "Charlton" derives from the Old English #eorl t#n, t#n meaning farm or settlement and #eorl being the lowest rank of free peasant in Anglo-Saxon England. The suffix "All Saints" is taken from the dedication of the village's church. Sources and road signs differ as to whether the name should be hyphenated. By 1208, Charlton was a tithing of the parish of Downton. In the 14th century it was a prosperous farming community, highly assessed for taxation. and a National School from c. 1858 which was designed by William Butterfield. This school could accommodate 99 but attendance fell during the 20th century and it was closed in 1968. == Church and chapel ==

The Anglican church, All Saints', was built in 1851 partly at the expense of Lord Nelson, owner of the Trafalgar estate on the other side of the river. Construction is in brick to designs of T.H. Wyatt, in Early English style. The font is by William Butterfield and the west windows by Morris. Today the church is part of the Chalke Valley benefice. Butterfield also designed the vicarage on Lower Road, built in brick in 1860–62. A Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built near All Saints' in 1864, and became a private house in the 1970s. ==References==