The remains of a Late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age stone circle lie largely hidden on a low ridge, about 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) northwest of the village.

[4] The name Winterbourne refers to seasonal streams in the area, which meet to form the upper waters of the River Kennet.

The Bassett suffix is from lords of the manor in the 12th and 13th centuries,[3] and distinguishes the parish and village from Winterbourne Monkton, close by to the south.

[5] The manor was inherited in turn by his sons Gilbert (d.1241), Fulk (later bishop of London, d.1259) and Philip (Justiciar of England, d.1271).

[3] The site of the deserted village – a scheduled monument – survives as building platforms, enclosures and tracks, one leading to a ford across the river.

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

[16] In 1975 a team ministry was created for the area,[17] and today the parish is part of the Upper Kennet Benefice, alongside seven others around Avebury.