Grovely Wood forms the northern section of the parish. The history of Barford can be traced back to the 11th century. It was recorded in the Domesday Book compiled in 1085/1086. The St Martin suffix, from the dedication of the church, was added by 1304 to distinguish it from Barford manor in Downton parish. Hurdcott House is from the early or mid 19th century and stands on the site of an earlier house. Grovely Wood, between Barford and Great Wishford, was an extra-parochial area. By 1839, the boundary of Barford parish had moved north to include almost all of the woodland. An early medieval preaching cross in the centre of the village is Grade I listed. The church of St Martin is an ancient building of stone in Early English and Perpendicular styles. There has been a church here since the 13th century. The Grade I listed building has a central embattled tower within which hangs a peal of six bells; the four heavier bells date from the middle of the 18th century and the two lighter bells are from the turn of the 20th century. The benefice is part of the Nadder Valley team ministry. A Primitive Methodist chapel was built in 1902 to replace an earlier chapel. By 2012 it was in residential use. Barford has an active Parish Council who are determined to improve facilities and the visual appearance of the village. The parish is in the area of Wiltshire Council unitary authority, which is responsible for all significant local government functions. The Countryside Unit at Dairy Lane is owned by Alabaré Christian Care Centres. The land used to be part of a farm, but now serves as a teaching facility for homeless and other disadvantaged people including those suffering and recovering from mental health illnesses. Skills such as woodworking, arts & crafts, and agriculture are taught there. The local school with its "Feed my lambs" logo was built in 1854 and closed at the end of 2006. Village children now travel to Wilton. The building is now used for a pre-school playgroup. There is also a 17th-century pub called The Barford Inn, formerly known as The Green Dragon. The Wiltshire Yeomanry dedicated a tank to this pub during the Second World War, with "The Green Dragon" on one side and "Barford St Martin" on the other. Organist and composer Caleb Simper (1856-1942) was born in Barford St Martin.