Snap, Wiltshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Snap
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Extinct settlement
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Site of Snap village
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 Snap
Location in Wiltshire
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| Country | England |
| County | Wiltshire |
| Parish | Aldbourne |
| First recorded | 1268 |
| Population
(1914)
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| • Total | 0 |
Snap is an abandoned village located near Aldbourne in Wiltshire, England. It is a very interesting place because it became empty much later than most other abandoned villages, in the 20th century.
Contents
What is an Abandoned Village?
An abandoned village is a place where people used to live, but then everyone moved away. Sometimes, villages are left empty because of big events like wars or diseases. Other times, people leave because they can no longer find work or food. Snap is an example of a village abandoned for economic reasons.
Snap's Early History
The village of Snap was first written about in 1268. Back then, it was called Snape. It was always a very small community. In the 1300s, only 19 people paid a special tax called a poll tax. This shows how few people lived there.
By 1773, there were only about five to ten small houses in Snap. The population grew a little over time. In 1851, a census counted 41 people living in the village.
Why Did People Leave Snap?
The main reason Snap became empty was a change in how the land was used. In 1905, a butcher named Henry Wilson bought the two farms in the village. He decided to stop growing crops (arable farming). Instead, he wanted to raise sheep.
Raising sheep needs far fewer workers than growing crops. This meant that the villagers who worked on the farms lost their jobs. Without work, people had to move away to find new ways to earn a living. By 1909, only two people were left in Snap. By 1914, the village was completely deserted.
What Happened to the Buildings?
Most of Snap's buildings were destroyed during the First World War. The area was used for military training, and the old buildings were probably damaged during exercises. After the war, people took materials from the ruined buildings to use for other construction. Today, you can only see the outlines of where the buildings once stood in the ground.
Snap Today
Even though the village is gone, its name lives on in Snap Farm, which is nearby. The site of the old village is also close to the Ridgeway National Trail. This is a famous long-distance path that many people enjoy walking.
