Stony Stratford

About

Set on the historic Roman road of Watling Street, Stony Stratford has a rich history stretching to every part of this traditional market town.

As an important strategic travelling location, kings, queens, highwaymen and the military have all visited the town over the centuries. From a hostelry in the High Street the young uncrowned Edward V was taken to The Tower of London, and beneath the tree in the Market Square the Methodist John Wesley preached.

The origins of the Cock & Bull story started in the town with outlandish stories being told by travellers and highwaymen at the old coaching inns, The Cock and The Bull. These pubs can both be visited today in the bustling High Street.

Stony Stratford has kept its character as an ancient market town together with much of its old world charm. It hosts a wide variety of unique independent shops, some of which have been in existence for hundreds of years. Every Saturday there is a market held in Timor Court and on the last Friday of every month a traditional Farmers’ Market in the Market Square at the heart of the town.

With plenty of free parking in and around Stony Stratford, this is a place best explored on foot.
A ‘town walk’ leaflet, available from local retailers or the tourist information office, will lead you to discover what this real jewel of a town has to offer. Its great pubs, restaurants, tearooms and hotels nestle alongside traditional shops such as bakers, butchers, ironmonger, gift shops and florists. At Christmas the town is festooned with the most spectacular display of lights in the local area.

In the summer, the Stony Live festival really puts Stony Stratford on the map. This week-long music and arts event takes over the town in June with live music, dance, literature, performing arts and many other displays. It culminates with Folk on the Green, a free music festival featuring the region’s top musicians as they play to crowds under the summer sun.

For more information, visit the official tourism website for Stony Stratford