Stone: Markets, History and Nature

Stone offers several sides to a stay: heritage, local tradition, markets and nature all feature in different ways. Highlights include the listed Church of St Michael, a legend about the town’s origins, regular markets and Crown Meadow. The alternation between scheduled event days and time spent in a natural setting can shape the rhythm of your trip. If you’re looking for a holiday rental in Stone, first consider whether history, food or nature should be the focus. You can then combine market and festival dates with the other interests of your stay.

A natural setting between three waterways

Crown Meadow lies between the River Trent, the Trent & Mersey Canal and the Scotch Brook. Footpaths and seating allow visitors to spend time in a natural setting there. The meadow is also an important part of the Trent Valley wildlife corridor. The three waterways give the area a distinctive setting, while its role in the wildlife corridor connects it to the wider valley. This offers a different focus for your trip planning from a market visit on a set date. If you’d like to include some time outdoors in your stay, you can make Crown Meadow a separate item on your itinerary.

Church, legend and a surviving architectural feature

Stone’s past is told in different ways. The Church of St Michael is a Grade II* listed building. A local legend links the town’s origins to the murder of the Saxon princes Rufin and Wulfad; as a legend, it remains a traditional account of the town’s origins. The Priory points to another part of the town’s history: the former rectory is now called The Priory, and a sub-crypt survives within it. Together, these topics represent three different historical layers: a protected church, a local tradition and a surviving architectural feature. If you’re interested in a place’s history, this can help you distinguish between a listed building designation and a story about its origins.

Markets and food events

The Stone Farmers Market takes place on the first Saturday of every month, except January. Most of the goods there are produced within 30 miles, giving the market a regional character. The Craft & Collectables Market follows a different schedule: it takes place on the third Saturday of every month, also excepting January. The different Saturdays make it easier to plan a market visit for a specific date. Check the latest event dates before travelling if a particular market is a fixed part of your itinerary.

The Stone Food and Drink Festival brings local produce and culinary skill together. The main event takes place in Westbridge Park. This adds another food-focused highlight to the regular market days, which you can plan around the specific event date. If the festival is important to your trip, check the dates before arranging your stay around it.

Getting here and planning your holiday

At Stone (Staffs) railway station, Platform 2 is the only step-free platform; trains from there run towards Stafford and Birmingham. If you need step-free access, check the latest information about platform accessibility before travelling. This will help you take it into account when planning your journey.

When choosing your holiday rental, it may help to decide first what kind of daily rhythm you want. If you want a market or the festival to shape your stay, plan around the relevant date. If you’re mainly interested in exploring the town’s history or Crown Meadow, these can provide the central theme of your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Loggerheads, Lichfield, Brewood, Hanchurch, Whittington, Eccleshall, Cheddleton, Burton-upon-Trent.

Go to the main travel overview: Staffordshire.