Horton, though separated by a rather substantial stretch of sand and rock, has always been associated with the neighbouring and larger village of Port Eynon. The occupants of these two villages have lived, worked and been buried side by side for centuries. That said, there are key differentiating aspects betweenthe histories of Port Eynon and Horton that led both places to develop their own unique characters.
Less dependant on the sea for its early industry that its bigger sister, Horton developed primarily as an agricultural community. Until the 1950s, the village was somewhat reknowned for the belief that every household there kept at least one pig and that these animals held the primary source of interest and conversation for the locals of Horton.
There are two main theories as to the origins of the village name. The first is taken from the old English words Horu and Tun - meaning muddy place. The second, perhaps more credible theory, is that the name derives from Hoarton - meaning a grey place. Given that Horton is both built upon and is surrounded by limestone and the village well is still known as the Hoar Well it is understandable how this latter theory is held the more superior of the two.
The village follows a lane that drops some 200 feet in less than 0.25 miles from its height to sea level.
