The village of Bratton nestles in a series of coombes in the northern escarpment of Salisbury Plain, just to the north east of the well-known White Horse, at the western end of the benefice. Being considerably larger (population about 1300) than the neighbouring villages it is an ‘active’ community, and has kept its Community Primary School as well as its inn and a shop-cum-post-office. It also has a village (‘Jubilee’) hall, owned by the Parish Council, the Pavilion on the playing field in the village centre, and a small doctors’ Surgery served from Westbury. The Church Institute provides Bratton’s third hall, and is owned by the PCC. Another Christian congregation meets at the Baptist Chapel. Adjacent to the school is a sheltered housing complex of some twenty flats called Clover Grass Court, although many of these remain empty pending a review of housing provision.

Saint James’ Parish Church is built in the Early English style, with a nineteenth century chancel and later vestry. It lies in a quiet and beautiful setting on the southern edge of the village, geographically separated from the heart of Bratton. The provision of Sunday Services ensures opportunities for different styles of worship: ‘early’ Prayer Book Communion, Parish Communion from Common Worship (for a congregation of up to thirty), and two types of all-age liturgy. There is also an enthusiastic team of bell ringers (six bells), and a volunteer organist.

A village newsletter, called the White Horse Churchman, is published by the Parochial Church Council and is distributed gratis to all 540 houses in the village.

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