There are plenty of reasons why we love Shipston-on-Stour.
Located on the northern edge of the stunning Cotswolds, the small riverside market town of Shipston-on-Stour lies in South Warwickshire, close to the boundaries with Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.
We love Shipston not least because of its rich and fascinating heritage. For example, in the 8th century it was called Scepwaeisctune, which is Old English for Sheep-wash-Town, and it had a sheep market and a thriving wool trade for many hundreds of years. Its name has evolved in the intervening years as the wool trade declined but it still acknowledges its significance by hosting a Wool Fair each Spring Bank Holiday.
Shipston-on-Stour was also an important staging place for stagecoaches from the 1600s through to the 1800s. You can find several former coaching inns in the town centre including the Coach and Horses in the High Street, alongside many listed buildings.
Fast forward a few centuries and Shipston today is a charming and thriving town with a wonderful mix of pubs, restaurants, a museum, weekly market and shops, more than 50 of which are independent retailers, not to mention an amazing atmosphere and friendly community.
Sport plays a big part in the life of the town. Shipston-on-Stour Rugby Football Club is very popular and the Sports Club features football, cricket, bowls, tennis, and angling clubs.
For those who prefer the great outdoors, Shipston-on-Stour provides plenty of opportunities for cycling, walking, and rambling especially with our four-legged friends while exploring the charm and beauty of the Cotswold countryside which sits on the doorstep.
Not only that, but there are also some great schools making Shipston-on-Stour an ideal spot for families who want to escape the cities and larger towns for something more genteel.
As well as its Wool Fair, Shipston Midsummer Festival and annual Victorian Evening it has another claim to fame – it was featured in Robin Gibb’s song Cold Be My Days! And it is also the birthplace of actor and director Richard Morant.
Finally, for us at Sheldon Bosley Knight, we love Shipston-on-Stour because it was where we started back in 1844 so it always has a special place in our hearts.
Quite simply, we love Shipston-on-Stour for all these reasons and many more!
