Chalton and South Mills in General

The flat countryside at Chalton October 2009

Landscape

Chalton is a flat, low-lying settlement with the River Ivel running close to the eastern boundary. With the River Great Ouse not far to the north and west it is not surprising that the soil and sub-soil are principally gravel deposited on the flood plains of the rivers. Small amounts of cereals are grown with much of the land either market gardening or grazing.

Chalton Farm August 2009

Name

The name Chalton is from the Old English "ceorl" (peasant or freeman) and "tun" (farm) - Peasant's Farm. The name is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 and has had a number of variations:

• Cerlentone: 1086;
• Cherleton: 1173-1428;
• Cherlton: 1227;
• Charleton: 1240-1535;
• Chelton: 1242;
• Chauton: 1250;
• Chaltone: 1276-1369;
• Chaulton: 1766.

 
Chalton and Ewelme Terraces March 2007

Administrative History

Chalton is a hamlet of Mogerhanger|. Care must be taken not to confuse it with another, bigger, Bedfordshire hamlet called Chalton which is part of Toddington. It was a hamlet of Blunham| until 1866 when Mogerhanger became an independent civil parish|.