Stanton Prior derives its name from the
Old English 'Stantona' (meaning Stone Town) and is reputed to be one of the smallest villages in Somerset, consisting of two farms, 21 houses and the
Church of St Lawrence, which has its origins in the 12th century but is mainly 15th century and underwent
heavy restoration in 1860. The church has been designated by
English Heritage as a Grade II*
listed building. The village was the property of Saxon Kings who gave it to
Bath Abbey before the
Norman Conquest and it was held by the Prior until the
dissolution of the monasteries. It was then granted to Thomas Horner, who sold it to General Erington in 1544. The parish of Stanton Prior was part of the
Keynsham Hundred. Close by, on Stantonbury Hill, are the remains of an
Iron Age hill fort known as
Stantonbury Camp, which lies on the line of
Wansdyke. Stanton is home to a rare
chain pump, albeit without its chain. ==References==