[1] Sandy Lane is on the southwestern edge of the parkland around Bowood House, a country mansion which is operated as a hotel and golf resort.

[9] Julian Orbach, updating Pevsner's work, describes Sandy Lane as "a most picturesque Bowood estate village, of thatched cottages in the distinctive local ironstone".

When a chapelry district was created in 1841 for the newly built Christ Church at Derry Hill, Sandy Lane was included there.

[13] Then in 1864, the area of Chittoe parish (where St Mary's church had been built in 1845) was enlarged to include Sandy Lane.

[14] A small wooden chapel of ease dedicated to St Nicholas was erected at Back Lane in 1892.

[17] Baptists built Providence Chapel on the village street in 1817, in ironstone with ashlar dressings.