Brokerswood represents one of the last remaining areas of the forest of Selwood. This vast forest stretched from the River Thames to the Dorset border and probably included Savernake, Longleat and Stourhead as well as many of the smaller woodlands standing today. In the years leading up to the Doomsday book, Saxon settlers had started to clear the forest and settle in the area, however following the Norman invasion the Norman rulers passed the "Forest Law" preventing any further felling in order to preserve it for hunting.
The origins of the name "Brokerswood" is difficult to trace, many believe that it was derived from a previous owner, but I can find no trace of this. There are two likely explanations: - Firstly, it arose after the ban on felling trees had been imposed by the Normans, Illicit trading went on, with groups offering to "acquire" timber for customers, these groups became known as "Timber Brokers". Secondly, that it was derived from the amount of badgers that used the wood as home so "Brocks wood".
The Church owned vast stretches of land across the country and, after the Normans left the region was owned by the Nuns from Romsey Abbey, this lasted until 1539 when the dissolution of the monasteries occurred, when the ownership passed to the Crown. In 1692 the forest was presented to the Long family who owned it into the late 19th century, during this time the forest produced timber for building and bark for tanning. The family also had the right to confiscate any livestock that strayed into the wooded area. In 1865 ownership passed to Sir Roger Brown, a local cloth manufacturer, who gave Trowbridge its Town Hall. He also built the house in the woodland park to use as a shooting lodge.
In 1968 the woodland park (now the Brokerswood country park) opened and for the first time in many years people were allowed into the woodland. Today the most notable landmarks in the village are the Country Park, the Tin Church and the local pub, "The Kicking Donkey".
In 1897 the church at Southwick burned down and the community bought what must be the earliest flat pack church, which they assembled in the village. In 1905 a new stone church was built and the tin church dismantled, transported to Brokerswood and reassembled on a plot of land donated to the village by a Mr Asher of Wimbourne. The church has a stone and rubble foundation with a raised wooden floor. The main structure is timber covered by galvanised corrugated tin sheets, there is no mains gas, electricity or water in the church, which is still operating.
The "Kicking Donkey "began its life in about 1800 when it opened as a beer cellar and sweet shop. The local farmers and traders could leave their horses and donkeys in a secure compound whilst they enjoyed a pint or several. The story goes that one day a customer stayed too long and his donkey got fed up with waiting and kicked down the gate allowing most of the other animals to escape. Nicky Malcolm has been the licensee since 2004.