The Draycot Straight was a new road created in the 1760s to bypass Upper Draycot. Originally, the road from Chippenham to Sutton Benger followed a tortuous route from Kington Langley, through Upper Draycot (now Draycot Cerne) to the Draycot crossroads. The majority of that road still exists today as usable footpaths, although they can be quite boggy after rain. The ‘new’ road can be seen on the 1773 county map, complete with what appear to be Toll Gates at either end. The fact that the road has a dotted outline means that there are no hedges along it, suggesting that it is still new.

Sir James Long’s map of his Kington Langley estate, also 1773, marks the road as ‘New Turnpike Road to Draycot’ with the original road marked as ‘Old Road to Draycot'. The old road out of Kington Langley is still known today as Sutton Road.

Evidence that the road post-dates the fields alongside it can be seen by looking at the field patterns on the OS map, or by looking at an aerial view of the area using any mapping program.

Note also that the 1808 turnpike map still shows a 'road' to the west of Draycot, linking it with Kington St Michael.

The majority of the older houses in Draycot Cerne date from the later 1800s, when the village was relocated from Lower Draycot. Some of the construction dates can still be seen in the crests in the eaves.

The details from the 1920 Auction Catalogue describing a 'Block of three cottages' were of Lot 41, the houses on the corner of the lane.

The photo of the pair of houses, and details of the 'Picturesque Modern Cottages', are of Lot 43; this is the pair of houses on the B4122, just north of the brook. They were built in 1903-1905.