The village is Anglo-Saxon in origin and is a much dispersed parish, with no definable nucleus, of approximately 145 homes spread over some 8 square miles (21 km2), comprising about 300 people.

Yarkhill lies in the valley of the River Frome; in 811 the name of this settlement was Geardcylle, meaning enclosure with a kiln.

In 1066 it was held by a Knight of King Harold called Arkell and the present name of Yarkhill may have derived from that or from the Saxon word Yarcle meaning slope of the hill.

The church is typical in design with a nave, chancel, vestry, and western tower and seats about 120 people at full capacity.

In October 2012 the Church finally completed the project to install 8 new bells dedicated to the legacy of Fabian Stedman.