Yeovilton/ˈjoʊvɪltən/ is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Yeovilton and District, in Somerset, England, 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Ilchester and 5 miles (8.0 km) north of Yeovil, in South Somerset district. The parish had a population of 1,226 in the 2011 census,[1] estimated at 1,418 in 2019.[2] This includes Podimore (also known as Puddimore or Milton Podimore) and the hamlets of Speckington and Bridgehampton. The village includes RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) and the associated Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Between 899 and 925, an estate in Yeovilton was granted by King Edward and between 955 and 959 King Eadwig gave a further holding of five hides to Brihtric. The parish of Yeovilton was part of the hundred of Somerton, while Podimore was part of the Whitley Hundred.[4]
In 1411 the lord of the manor was John Rogers, who also held the manor of Barwick. By 1602, these had been inherited by Henry Lyte. The holding was purchased by G. D. W. Digby of Sherborne Castle in Dorset in 1857 and remained with the Digby family until 1919.[5]
In 1939, the village was chosen as the site for the RNAS Yeovilton air base, which was used for engagements during World War II. The associated Fleet Air Arm Museum, an aircraft museum, was opened on the site of the airfield in 1964. Since 1993 the Fleet Air Arm’s Memorial Church has been the Church of St Bartholomew in Yeovilton. The village was host to a stage start of the Tour of Britain in 2007.
Governance
The parish council has responsibility for local issues, including setting an annual precept (local rate) to cover the council's operating costs and producing annual accounts for public scrutiny. The parish council evaluates local planning applications and works with the local police, district council officers, and neighbourhood watch groups on matters of crime, security, and traffic. The parish council's role also includes initiating projects for the maintenance and repair of parish facilities, as well as consulting with the district council on the maintenance, repair, and improvement of highways, drainage, footpaths, public transport, and street cleaning. Conservation matters (including trees and listed buildings) and environmental issues are also the responsibility of the council.
On 1 March 2022 the parish was merged with Limington to form "Yeovilton and District".[7]
Geography and climate
It lies on the north bank of the River Yeo, from which it gets its name, opposite Limington.
The parish is largely flat, lying mostly between 50 feet (15.2 m) and 75 feet (22.9 m) above sea level, on the alluvium of the Yeo and Cam valleys and partly on clay loam on the Lower Lias.
Average maximum and minimum temperatures, average rainfall, rain days and sunshine recorded in 1981–2010 at the Yeovilton Met Office weather station:
Climate data for Yeovilton, 20 m asl (1991–2020 normals), extremes since 1973
The village lies south of the A303trunk road between Basingstoke in Hampshire and Honiton in Devon. Buses to and from Tiverton run twice a day.[10] There is also a daily coach service on the Tiverton–London route.[11] The nearest railway station is Yeovil Junction (9 miles, 14 km).
