Stratford Toney Down, south of the village, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its botanically rich chalk grassland.

[4] The Domesday survey in 1086 recorded an estate at Stradford with 28 households and two mills, held by Earl Aubrey of Coucy.

The village is situated on a branch of the river Avon, and about a mile W. of the road from Salisbury to Dorchester, near the line of the ancient Icknield Street.

[9] Towards the north end of the village, the manor house carries a date of 1833; it was built for George Purefoy-Jervoise (1770–1847), landowner and member of parliament.

Its parish registers survive in the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for christenings, 1605–1985, marriages, 1562–1983, and burials, 1562–1988.

[13] The parish is in the area of Wiltshire Council, a unitary authority which is responsible for most significant local government functions.