Peaceful Stanton south of Broadway isn’t one of the best-known Cotswold villages, but it is one of the prettiest. And it’s thanks to architect Sir Philip Sidney Stott, who bought much of the village in 1906 and dedicated himself to restoring it. Today Stanton has kept its tranquil atmosphere and is a great place to wander and admire its golden stone and thatched buildings. Learn more about the village as well as where to eat and stay with our insider’s guide to things to do in Stanton.
Stanton’s history
Fragments of Iron Age and Roman pottery, iron artefacts and a bronze bracelet have been found on Shenberrow Hill to the north of Stanton. The village itself dates back to at least 811 AD, when the Anglo-Saxon King Coenwulf of Mercia signed it over to nearby Winchcombe Abbey.
After Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, the land was confiscated and given to Queen Katherine Parr as part of her dowry. But after she died at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe in 1548, it was sold to private owners. One of them was architect and engineer Sir Philip Stott.
Stott bought the estate in 1906 and invested the fortune he’d amassed designing cotton mills into improving Stanton. Over the rest of his life he repaired properties around the village, built a reservoir, swimming pool and cricket field, improved the church and extended the school.
Stott also restored and lived in 17th-century Stanton Court. He added street lighting around the village, powered by a generator in his home, and you can still see his distinctive Stott lamps. After his death, buildings were sold to different owners, including Stanton Court which was recently on the market for £14 million. But he left his mark on Stanton in its beautifully preserved buildings.
Map of Stanton
Things to do in Stanton
The village
Stanton was described by architecture writer Nikolaus Pevsner as ‘architecturally, the most distinguished of the smaller villages in the North Cotswolds’, and he wasn’t wrong! The village features an unusual mix of half-timbered, thatched and limestone cottages built with stone quarried from Shenberrow Hill. Colourful climbing plants and pots of flowers add to the charm.
One of the village’s most photographed buildings is thatched Sheppey Corner at the top of the High Street, which was built around 1650 and is now divided into three cottages. The village is also home to the Stanton Guildhouse, a private hire venue running arts and crafts courses.
St Michael and All Angels Church
The Church of St Michael and All Angels in Stanton has its origins in the 12th century when it was built for the monks of Winchcombe. Since then it’s been added to and adapted, but it hasn’t been over-restored so you can still see elements from across its history as you walk around.
The oldest remaining features are three Norman columns from about 1200 which form the North Arcade. There are also fragments of medieval wall paintings and 15th-century stained glass from nearby Hailes Abbey. The church has two pulpits, one medieval and one Jacobean. And look out for the medieval wooden pews with damaged ends where shepherds would tie up their dogs.
Horse riding
One of the best ways to explore the countryside around Stanton is on horseback. Cotswolds Riding in the village is run by Jill Carenza, who has over 35 years’ experience. The centre has horses and ponies to suit all levels of rider, from complete beginners to experts. As well as riding lessons they offer guided hacks in the Cotswold countryside, exploring miles of paths and bridleways.
One of the most popular options is the pub ride – a three–five hour session that includes a one-hour stop for a traditional pub lunch along the way. Group hacks cost £49 per hour, or you can book private rides or riding lessons if you want to improve your technique. There’s also a B&B attached to the riding school with stabling if you want to bring your horse on holiday with you.
Stanway House and Fountain
Just 1.5 miles south of Stanton, Stanway House is a grand stone Jacobean manor which was once owned by Tewkesbury Abbey. It’s been lived in by the Tracys of Stanway and their descendants the Earls of Wemyss since the 16th century, and they open it up to the public on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons during June, July and August (entry £12 adults/£9 seniors/£5 children).
You can take an audio tour of the house with its wood-panelled walls and antique furniture. There’s also a watermill, tithe barn, church and a cricket pitch where writers JM Barrie, Arthur Conan Doyle and AA Milne all used to play. But Stanway is best known for the Stanway Fountain in the grounds – a 300-foot-tall jet of water that’s the highest gravity fountain in the world.
Walks from Stanton
The Cotswold Way long-distance walking route, a 102-mile National Trail between Chipping Campden and Bath, runs right through Stanton, so there are some great walks from the village. Follow the Cotswold Way to the north and it’s four miles to Broadway via the Broadway Tower or 11 miles to Chipping Campden. Or head south and it’s eight miles to Winchcombe.
If you prefer a circular walk, there’s a lovely 6-mile route from Stanton to Snowshill along part of the Cotswold Way. Or a shorter 4-mile route to Stanway and back through Lidcombe Wood.
Things to do near Stanton
The village of Snowshill is five miles away by road (or 2.2 miles on foot), where you’ll find Snowshill Manor and Gardens, a National Trust property packed with the quirky collections of Edwardian architect, poet and artist Charles Paget Wade. And the fragrant Cotswold Lavender Fields, which are open to the public for a few weeks from mid-June to early August.
It’s also close to Broadway (3.5 miles) for shopping and dining, the Gordon Russell Design Museum and Broadway Museum. You can also visit the hilltop Broadway Tower (8 miles) for panoramic views across 16 counties. And it’s 10 miles to historic Chipping Campden.
Also within easy reach are the ruins of Hailes Abbey (4 miles), the town of Winchcombe and Sudeley Castle (6 miles), and family favourite the Cotswold Farm Park (7 miles).
Places to eat in Stanton
The Mount Inn is Stanton’s only pub, built on top of a hill with views over the Vale of Evesham, Malvern Hills and even as far as the Black Mountains in Wales. The building dates from the 17th century and was originally a farmhouse before being sold to Donnington Brewery in 1897.
Donnington Brewery’s traditional ales are still sold there today, as well as ciders, wines and a good range of gins. The menu features hearty pub dishes like scampi and chips, chicken and mushroom pie, and sausage and mash, all made using local Cotswold produce. There’s a terrace beer garden outside where you can soak up the views on a summer’s evening, and dogs are welcome.
Where to stay in Stanton
There are no hotels in Stanton, but there are B&Bs and self-catering cottages for rent. Shenberrow Hill B&B is a homely and welcoming traditional bed and breakfast that’s popular with Cotswold Way walkers. It has three en-suite bedrooms – two doubles and a twin – and a cooked and continental breakfast is included. And it’s just a short (uphill) walk to The Mount Inn.
1 Chestnut Corner* is a beautifully restored Cotswold stone cottage with flagstone floors, exposed beams and an inglenook fireplace with wood-burner. It sleeps four in two double bedrooms, with two bathrooms, a separate dressing area, rustic-chic kitchen-diner and cosy lounge.
Or the thatched Old Cider Press* dates from the 1700s. It sleeps four, with two king-sized bedrooms and a bathroom on the ground floor, and an open-plan kitchen, diner and living room on the first floor. Fom there you can go on up a spiral staircase to find a mezzanine reading nook.
How to get to Stanton
Stanton by car
Stanton is 3.5 miles south of Broadway or 5.6 miles north of Winchcombe, just off the B4632. There’s a small free car park in front of Stanton Village Club (WR12 7NE) – the section through the gap at the back is only free for members. There’s also customer parking at the Mount Inn.
Stanton by public transport
Stanton is on the route of the Pulhams 606 bus, which has around six services a day Monday–Saturday. But where it stops depends on which direction you’re travelling in.
Heading south from Chipping Campden and Broadway, the 606 stops at Old Manor Farm House in Stanton village. But heading north from Cheltenham and Winchcombe it doesn’t go into the village but only stops at Stanton West Turn on the B4632, an 18-minute walk away.
The bus journey takes 25 minutes from Broadway, where you can connect on to the Stagecoach 1/2 bus to Moreton-in-Marsh or the NN Cresswell Rural 4 bus to Evesham if you want to catch a train. Or it’s around 1 hour 20 minutes to Cheltenham which has more frequent trains.
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