Kingsdon is a village and parish in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England, situated south east of Somerton. The village has a population of 303 but this is set to rise to around 350 once the Kingsdon Manor development is complete. The majority of the houses in the village are clustered on the side of the hill from which there are scenic views across the Somerset countryside. Many of the old buildings and houses in the village are protected with Grade 2 listed building status and the centre is also a conservation area. Recently built houses have been faced with Blue Lias stone to ensure that they blend in suitably to the village. Some buildings are thatched, including the Kingsdon Inn. Kingsdon village shop is situated in the former primary school and is a volunteer-run enterprise set up in 2014 as an Industrial and Provident Society for the Benefit of the Community (IPS Bencom). Outside of the shop the old telephone box has been restored to provide a library. Other amenities include a village hall, allotments and adventure play equipment on the recreation field. Kingsdon has its own cricket ground in the grounds of the former Manor. The Kingsdon Chronicle is produced monthly as an independent journal and delivered free of charge to all residents. The village is in the low fly zone for RNAS Yeovilton. Within the wider Kingsdon parish is World Horse Welfare's Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Re-homing Centre, named after Glenda Spooner founder, chairman and organising secretary of the Ponies of Britain Club and which cares for around 65 horses at a time. History The village is situated near the Fosse Way Roman road and two Roman villas were excavated in the village in the 19th century, but nothing remains of them today. The village name is derived from Kingsdon Hill which is in the north west of the parish and reflects its history as part of the royal estate of Somerton at the time of the Norman Conquest. The manor was granted to the Gouvis family by 1194, and in 1528, bought by Thomas Arundell of Wardour Castle, whose descendants held it until it was sold to Aaron Moody in 1801. On 4 March 2010 the thatched roof of the Kingsdon Inn, the village pub, caught fire and the roof was destroyed. £250,000 was subsequently spent repairing the building which was built in the