Overview

This very easy level walk ( with just a few steps if you want to go into the church yard ) takes us around parts of interesting historical areas of Stow. (Photo 1). STOW LODGE HOTEL Having enjoyed a drink at this historical old Rectory, now a Hotel, TURN RIGHT when you depart Stow Lodge into The Square. ( DO READ OUR PART 3 REVIEW FOR “STOW LODGE HOTEL” ) (Photo 2). CHURCH ALLEY Follow the wall on your right as it passes Stow Lodge, and go along the good and level hard path of Church Alley, all the way along the narrow path and down to Church Street. However, if you can manage a few steps, St Edwards Church may be worth a walk around the churchyard, due to a few interesting notes we have for you. Just as you entered Church Alley, a few feet along at the end of the tall Cotswold bricked wall there is a gate that will involve a few steps to get you up into the churchyard. If you cannot manage steps, just continue to walk along the alley to the far end, and you will see the attractive Church Street slightly over to your right. (Photo 3). ST EDWARDS CHURCH There are documents that say a church may have stood in Stow in 986 ad, maybe even before that, as the Monks that lived in Evesham Abbey held land here perhaps as early as 708 ad, but we do know that there was an original wooden Saxon church here. This was replaced by this Norman church which was built in various stages from the 11th century to the 15th century, the Tower being the last part to be built, and completed in 1447. It is now a grade 1 listed building, mainly due to its Ashlar Cotswold stone used in building the Norman church, with its square-towered multi arch structure, the beautiful stained glass windows, it’s buttresses, and a very well kept churchyard, now an attraction that seems to draw the interest of many tourists. It seems it was consecrated before 1086, but took a few hundred years to be fully built. The church has a four-stage tower built during the 15th century, with corner buttresses on the second stage. The stairs to reach the top are situated on the southwest side, an old door at its base allows entrance to the parapet, which includes gargoyles, two on each side of the four corners. The 88 foot (26.8m) tall tower was completed in 1447, and holds eight heavy ring of bells. A clock, with its chimes has been there since 1580, but this new clock has only been seen since 1926. History shows that the church was used during the 1646 English Civil War, when Royalists were defeated by a Parliament force, in a battle so deadly it was said that Ducks could bathe in the pools of blood, and they named the street in Stow as “Digbeth street” or Dicks Bath. After its last war, 1000 Royalists were imprisoned in the church. There are two memorials here for those who died in 1646, during that battle of Stow. Most of the wealth that was needed to build the church is thought to have come from the towns prosperity during the time of the successful wool trade in the area. (Photo 4). THE OLD RECTORY. (Now Stow Lodge Hotel) Having been appointed as the rector of St Edwards in 1744, Richard Hippisley, obviously dissatisfied with the small home he held on Sheep Street, built a new Rectory that was attached to the churchyard of St Edwards, at its boundary, and grave stones can still be seen against the wall. Eventually, in 1954, the lodge was bought by Mr and Mrs Jux, and converted the rectory into the delightful Stow Lodge Hotel. (DO READ OUR REVIEW FOR STOW LODGE HOTEL, WITH FULL DETAILS OF ITS HISTORY) (Photo 5). THE MYSTICAL DOORWAY As you walk around the church, do stop to see the old wooden door between the two Yew trees which stand on the northwest corner of the church, opposite the side of stow Lodge. Some say that this studded wooden panelled door, with two old Yew trees on each side, and an old oil lamp above it, may have been the entrance that inspired J.R.R.TOLKIEN to use it as the door in his “Doors of Durin” tale in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Is this fact true ? Who knows ! (Photo 6). THE TOWER The 88 foot tall tower, has a small door that allows entry to the stairs to get up to the parapet. Entry to the church itself is opened daily if you wish to view inside. It is quite a nice building, with historical artefacts that may interest you. You will have noticed that as you walked round outside that the grounds have been well maintained and a pleasant area to sit and contemplate. The church path now leads you along towards Church Street, but there are steps to get down, be careful, they are steep. (Photo 7). CHURCH STREET This narrow stone little street is a delight, with its honey coloured Cotswold stone buildings, small select shops and antique supplies, it’s a pleasure to just amble along. (Photos 8, 9 and 10). ANTIQUES STORE STOW is well known for its attractive antique shops, and there is quite a nice larger store selling many useful items that may just catch your eye. The store is right on the corner of Church Street. (Photo 11). There are other small outlets as well, such as Rhubarb Rhubarb boutique, selling mainly clothes, and a nice bakery with home made products, the small antique glass shop may appeal, and a traditional cafe will be most welcomed. Although narrow, cars are allowed along its one way system, so be careful. (Photo 12 and 13). SHEEP STREET This is a street of simple examples of small cottages, two storey houses with narrow alleyways that run off. About mid way along Sheep Street, the sheep may have been driven along here here to reach “tures” which were narrow alleyways that sheep were herded into, so that as they passed through the most narrow section, they could be counted, one such example being Talbot Court. (Photo 14). TALBOT COURT This is now a nice typical courtyard of Cotswold stone and square paving of local stones that looks most appealing as you enter, with inviting little shops that again welcome you to come inside and wander around their little shops. (Photos 15, 16 and 17). The sheep would enter into these “tures” and be herded along together, and held in the open yard, until ready to be taken out to the Market Square. The courtyard today is a sun trap, a pleasant alley for window shopping, or buy your fresh bread, ready for tea tonight. (Photo 18). THE TALBOT INN At the rear, the allay narrowed before sheep were herded into Market Street and here stood “The Talbot” and it was along the side of their building that the alley narrowed to allow sheepmto pass along just in one or twos so as to be counted as they passed through, a big help to farmers so as to be able to control Their flocks. Then they would be driven into Market Square. (Photo 19). MARKET SQUARE It would have been here that sheep pens would contain the sheep before being sold at the fairs, which were held twice a year. At the height of the wool trade, as much as 20,000 could be sold in a good day, so a very important trade centre.

Transport & Parking

Park your car in Market Square, which has a number of disabled bays here and there.

Access

This tour is flat, easy to move along, although steps will be met if you want to go to the churchyard.

Toilets

You will find these at the far end corner in Market Square, as reviewed already by us.

Staff