The village of Sydling St Nicholas lies approximately seven miles NW of Dorchester, in West Dorset. The 12thc church no longer survives; the font is all that exists from that time. The present building consists of a chancel, rebuilt in the mid 18thc, a 15thc nave and N porch, a S aisle of c. 1500, and a 15thc W tower.

In 1086 the Abbey of Milton held 29 hides of land at Sydling (‘Sidelince’). Other land assessed at one hide was held by Amund from the Count of Mortain. There is no mention of a church.