Box Timeline

Findings of Neolithic flints suggest that there were human settlements in the Box area

The Romans began to inhabit Britain; the quality of the local Bath Stone was soon recognised and a villa in Box was built

Evidence suggests that the Box Villa was destroyed during the invasion of the Scots, Picts, Irish and Saxons

St. Aldhelm was said to have thrown down his glove at the site of Hazlebury and ordered his men to dig as they would find treasure - the treasure being the local Bath Stone

Hazlebury and Ditteridge were mentioned in the Domesday book. It was thought that the two hamlets once held more importance than Box in the Saxon times

St. Christopher's Church at Ditteridge, the oldest in the parish, was built

Land at Box was confirmed as belonging to Humphrey de Bohun; this was the earliest mention of Box as a village

Original Chapel Plaister was built

On the site of a previous Norman Church, stone from Hazelbury was used to rebuild the Church of St. Thomas à Becket (although little of this original church now remains today)

Quarries of stone were given to Stanley and Lacock Abbeys by the Croke Family, who lived in Hazelbury Manor at the time

Vicarage at Box was ordained by Bishop Richard Poore, at the request of the Prior of Monkton Farleigh

Henry III reportedly stayed at Hazelbury Manor

Henry III ordered Bath Stone quarried in the area for Freemantle, Hampshire

A combination of factors, including the Black Death, rural depopulation and the growing importance of the Mills at Box gradually led to the decline of the village at Hazelbury

Substantial alterations were made to the Church of St Thomas à  Becket, including an extension to the nave and a new north aisle

The first manor house at Hazelbury was built

The Hungerford family were one of the largest landowners in the Box Parish

More alterations were made to the church of St. Thomas à  Becket; the existing squat tower was heightened by the addition of a bell chamber and octangonal spire

The new Chapel Plaister and hospice were built to house pilgrims on their way to the shrine of St Joseph of Arimathea at Glastonbury Abbey

Cheney Court took its name from its inhabitant, Sir Edmund Cheney

The church at Hazlebury was believed to have been destroyed

The lock-up was built and used to detain disorderly citizens and to aid the upkeep of law and order

The first record of Box Common was recorded at this time as belonging to Hazelbury Manor

George Speke bought Hazelbury Manor for his son Hugh, who made many additions to the layout of the manor house

Francis Allen produced his map of Box and the surrounding area

Box was an 'ardent centre' for Quakers: the community ejected the Vicar, Walter Bushreel, for his 'rural character'

The previously ejected Vicar, Walter Bushneel, returned to Box, his case having been publicised in the Narrative of the Proceedings of Commwassioners, Appointed by Oliver Cromwell, for ejecting scandalous and ignorant ministers

A lunatic asylum was established at Kingsdown, nicknamed the 'Box Mad House'

The mineral spring was rediscovered

Hazelbury Manor passed to the Northey Family

A Charity School was set up in the community by Reverend George Millard

The Poorhouse, now known as 'Springfield House', was established

Direct route from Chippenham to Bath meant Box was now situated along a main road for the first time

Box became the first parish to pay one guinea to a doctor to inoculate a family

Andrew's and Drury's map of Wiltshire was published and showed Box in great detail

The 'Box Revel' festival was supposedly banned for the 'riotous behaviour' that it incited

The Chapel Plaister hospice was converted to The Bell Inn, and became the haunt of highwayman John Poulter, also known as Tony Baxter

The population of Box stood at 1,165 residents

The completion of the Kennet and Avon Canal meant that the Bath Stone could now be transported easily. Demand increased and new quarries were opened to compensate

Another main road was built through Box, creating the 'Fiveways' junction and allowing access to Bradford and Melksham

Sixty labourers were recorded as living in the parish; most were employed in the stone quarries

Due to a growing population, the south aisle and another gallery were added onto the Church of St. Thomas a Becket

Isambard Kingdom Brunel agreed to take on the project of building the Box Tunnel, said to be the longest in England at the time

Building of the tunnel commenced. During its 5 year construction, over 100 workers were killed in serious accidents inside the tunnel.

The Civil Police Force was established

The population fell over this period of 10 years, before steadily increasing

On 30th June, the Box Tunnel was officially opened

Many colleges at the University of Oxford were being built with Bath Stone from Box parish

The infants and girls of the Charity School were transferred to the new Henley Girls' School, whilst the boys continued to be taught in what was the workhouse (now Springfield)

A new cemetery covering 3 acres was built, as the graveyard at the Church of St. Thomas à Becket was no longer able to be used

The Free Methodist Chapel was built by Box Methodists to attempt to combat the 'riotous' lifestyle enjoyed by many quarrymen living on Box Hill

Box Cricket Club was founded

Box Church of England School was built

In the 1881 census, Ditteridge was listed as having a population of 101

The new parish council takes over the operation of the Fire Brigade

The Methodist Chapel and Hall were built, mainly by members of the congregation

By the end of the 19th century, there were nearly 700 quarry workers in the parish as the quarrying indsutry flourished

The Roman Villa was exacavated by Sir Harold Brakspeare. The findings were not unique, but showed a once extensive dwelling

Ridge Quarry was temporarily converted into an arsenal for the duration of World War One

The population of Box reached its peak at 4,581 residents

Restorations and enlargements were carried out at Hazelbury Manor for the owner, G.J. Kidston, by Sir Harold Brakspear

Box school became a mixed school of 212 pupils

The village war memorial was erected following the First World War on Bear Green

The recreation ground was built

The Cemetery was extended into an area that became known as the New Cemetery

Following an urgent need for more housing after the Second World War, the 'Fete Field' (which was once used for outdoor social activites) was used to build the Bargates Estate

The Rising Sun, a public house, was tragically destroyed in an explosion, killing the licensee and his family

The public house 'The Lamb' was closed

Another excavation of the Roman Villa was carried out by Henry Hurst and revealed alterations made to the villa and its outbuildings

Clift Mine was closed

The remaining quarries were closed

Selwyn Hall, the village hall, was built

Bingham Hall, the building where indoor social activities used to place, was demolished (its function being replaced by Selwyn Hall)

The parish council bought the land at the Box Common to manage it on behalf of the people

Peter Gabriel, formerly of the rock band Genesis, launched his own record label, 'Real World Studios' in a converted mill

The organ at St. Christopher's Church, Ditteridge, was rebuilt

The 'Lovar' water garden was built from former wasteland on the northern perimeter of the recreation ground

The 2001 census recorded Box's population as 3,439 people

The people of Box could finally access the internet through a broadband connection