Draycot Mortuary Chapel

The lane from the crossroads to Draycot Cerne used to be part of the main road from Chippenham to Sutton Benger, and onwards to Swindon. Until 1770 the main road followed a tortuous route from Kington Langley to Draycot Cerne (then known as Upper Draycot) and then to Swindon via Sutton Benger. The 'Draycot Straight' (or New Road) was built as part of the Turnpike from Chippenham, and created a much-needed direct route, by-passing Upper Draycot village. It is still possible to walk the route of the old road along footpaths to Kington Langley.

Lord Cowley, of Draycot House, donated land for a cemetery here, and paid for the building of the small mortuary chapel, or chapel of rest, in 1883. This was at about the same time as the relocation of the Lower Draycot houses to Draycot Cerne.

The chapel was renovated in 2015, including a re-roofing after the original stone tiles had been stolen, and was transferred to new Trustees.