in nearby West Grafton. The northern section of the M&SWJR line from Swindon to had opened in 1881, and this was joined to the southern section from 1883 by using the Great Western Railway's branch between Savernake and . In 1898 the M&SWJR got its own route between Marlborough and Grafton and a new station opened at . The M&SWJR had therefore become a route between and Cheltenham and the Midlands. British Railways closed it in 1961. The population of Burbage peaked at around 1600 with the building of the railway in 1860, declining to a low point of 1000 a century later. It has since increased steadily, regaining its 1860s level in the 21st century. The first school in the village was built at Eastcourt in 1806, rebuilt in 1856 and supplemented by a separate building for younger children in 1861. This school was taken over by the county council around 1906, and educated children of all ages until Marlborough secondary school opened in 1946. The 19th-century buildings (designated Grade II listed in 1988) were closed in 1989 upon the opening of the new school, and became a private residence. Church and chapel The Church of England parish church of All Saints was rebuilt in 1854 by T.H. Wyatt, then extended with a south aisle in 1876. The original church was from the 12th century and was rebuilt in the 14th and 15th, when the tower was added; the porch was added in the 16th. The present church retains only the tower and porch of the earlier building. The church is now part of the Savernake team ministry. A small Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built at Eastcourt in 1822, and replaced by a larger building on the High Street in 1906. This closed in 1996 and is now a private house. Amenities Burbage Primary School serves the village and surrounding area. The school was built in 1989 on a centrally-located site, between the High Street and Eastcourt. Burbage has a village hall and a cricket club, Burbage and Easton Royal CC, who play in the Wiltshire division of the West of England Premier League. There is one pub: the White Hart, on the High Street in the centre of the village. References Further reading External links Burbage at Wiltshire Community History Burbage Parish Council Village website Villages in Wiltshire Civil parishes in Wiltshire