Discover Stone

Stone can be explored through two specific themes: the building history of the parish church, Church of St John the Baptist, and the Hartwell and Stone walk. Together, they link historic architecture with a route that includes a section of the Midshires Way. If you are looking for a hotel in Stone, these different interests can help shape your travel plans.

Building history at the parish church

The parish church, Church of St John the Baptist, has a Norman nave and a Norman north doorway. It also has 13th-century transepts and a 14th-century west tower. Different building phases therefore stand side by side in one structure: Norman features and later medieval parts. For those interested in church architecture, this provides a timeline that can be traced through specific parts of the building.

Inside the church is a Norman font with interlace patterns and a scene of a man fighting an animal. Ornament and figurative depiction appear side by side here. The font adds a distinct decorative detail to the building’s history, differing from the form and dating of its architectural elements.

The church was built on an artificial mound and is the oldest surviving building in the parish. Of the churchyard cross, which may date from the 15th century, only the rectangular stone base remains. These features add the church’s location and a cautiously dated remnant in the churchyard to its building history.

Local history and architectural character

The pond at the crossroads in Stone served travelers as a place to water their horses and livestock. This historic purpose draws attention to a practical aspect of local history alongside the architecture of the parish church. The pond’s use links the crossroads to the needs of travelers and their animals.

Surviving homes dating from before 1900 also reflect the local geology, particularly in connection with Witchert houses. This adds another way to understand the local landscape alongside the church’s building history: the relationship between older residential architecture and geological character. Those interested in architecture can therefore understand Stone through both a single historic church building and its surviving housing stock.

The Hartwell and Stone walk

The Hartwell and Stone walk starts and ends at Stone Village Hall. It follows quiet village roads as well as open bridleways running along field edges. The route also includes a 3.5 km section of the Midshires Way between Bishopstone Road and the River Thame. The types of paths and the named section offer specific points to consider if you would like to include a walk in your travel plans.

This walk combines village roads with open paths along field edges, offering different walking environments. As terrain and path conditions can change, check the current situation before setting out.

For your travel plans, you can weigh two different priorities: the building history and local character, or time for a walk. If you are looking for hotels in Stone, this choice can help determine the kind of stay you want.

Discover more destinations: Weston Turville, Chalfont St Giles, Marlow, Pitstone, Mursley, Chilton, Wooburn Green, Iver.

For the broader travel overview: Buckinghamshire.