[2] The village contains a parish church, a primary school, two public houses (the Monk's Retreat and the Coppa Dolla) and a shop/post office.

[citation needed] The proportion of professional and managerial grade employees resident in the parish is higher than the national average for comparable sized areas.

Until recently there were five farmhouses and yards within the village itself, but these have been converted to residential uses.

The manor is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Hamistone and was held by Robert, Count of Mortain, 2nd Earl of Cornwall.

It was later held successively by the families of Cantilupe (from whom it became known as Hempston Cauntelow), West, Rowe, Martin, Champion, Duntze and Tozer.