Tilshead

Coordinates: 51°13′49″N 1°57′03″W / 51.2302°N 1.9508°W / 51.2302; -1.9508

Tilshead /ˈtɪls.hɛd/ is a village and civil parish in the county of Wiltshire in southern England. It is close to the geographical centre of Salisbury Plain, on the A360 road approximately midway between the villages of Shrewton and Market Lavington, and is near the source of the River Till. Its population in 2011 was 358, down from a peak of 989 inhabitants in 1951.

History

The White Barrow, a Neolithic long barrow is nearby.

In 1086 Tilshead was a borough and a large royal estate. The tithing of South Tilshead was a manor of Romsey Abbey until the dissolution of the Monasteries, which is probably how it came to be a detached part of the hundred of Whorwellsdown.

Tilshead Lodge was built in the mid 17th century to the southwest of the village and became known for racehorse training. It was demolished in the early 1950s.

Local government

The civil parish elects a parish council. It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions.