It surrounds Malmesbury to the north, east and south (but not to the west where the parish is Brokenborough).

[2] To the south, the parish extends some 4 miles (6.4 km) from Malmesbury, almost to Stanton St Quintin, including parts of Hullavington Airfield and the adjacent Buckley Barracks.

The Bristol Avon forms part of the north and east boundaries of the parish.

Between the 7th and 11th centuries, the land which forms the modern parish was acquired by Malmesbury Abbey.

It is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions.