A short history of Shipston and the Stour Valley

The Stour Valley, situated in the Warwickshire Countryside at the edge of the Cotswolds, has abundant charm. Characterised by agricultural influences, with the evidence of ridge of furrow use across the farmed landscape much of the area is dedicated to cultivation or sheep rearing.

Shipston on Stour signpost

The Stour is the name of five major rivers in England, and its meaning “strong” dates to Celtic times. The river Stour in the south of Warwickshire comes from the Oxfordshire Hills near Banbury before meandering across the rural Stour Valley where several villages with the suffix on-stour are nestled. From there the river Stour joins the river Avon near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Right in the heart of the Stour Valley, the beautiful market town of Shipston-on-Stour has been recorded since at least 772 AD. Originally home to the Hwicce tribe and known as Scepweastune (Sheep wash town) it has evolved into the modern Shipston-on-Stour. In 1268, the town was granted a Royal Charter by Henry III to hold a market. The town was given to the Bishop of Worcester where it sat as an island of Worcestershire until 1932, when it was absorbed back into Warwickshire on April Fool’s Day.

Shipston’s affiliation with sheep and the success of the weaving industry that was based in the town allowed the town to flourish, and this success is reflected in the many attractive buildings in and around the town centre. From the 14^th to the 19^th century, Shipston was on the route to London for the Welsh cattle drovers, with Scots pines marking their route. The Stratford road that connects Birmingham to Oxford sweeps through Shipston, where staging coaches rested at one of the towns coaching inns.

Make sure you see the post-medieval stone Barcheston bridge enabling the crossing of the river Stour, now listed due to its historical importance.

Linking visitors with Shipston’s heritage, Shipston and District Local History Society have catalogued artefacts dating back to the Roman times as well as photographs and memories. Explore the collection at Shipston Museum and meet volunteers to tap into their encyclopaedic knowledge of the museum’s collection and stories on Shipston’s history, people, events, industry and families.

Shipston information boards

Read fascinating insights into the history of the town at the information boards in the town’s car parks. Each board has a snippet of history relating to that area of the town and can be found at High Street, Bridge car park, Mill Street car park, West Street car park and Telegraph Street car park.

Find out more

• Read fascinating insights into the history of the town at the information boards in the town’s car parks. Each board has a snippet of history relating to that area of the town and can be found at High Street, Bridge car park, Mill Street car park, West Street car park and Telegraph Street car park.
• Why not immerse yourself in our history by listening to our Shipston Heritage Walk podcast where local guides Mike Ashley and Dick Burge share captivating stories of Shipston-on-Stour.
• Follow a Heritage Itinerary
• Visit Shipston Museum where volunteers have an encyclopaedic knowledge of the museum’s collection on Shipston’s history, people, events, industry, and families.