The Four Shires Stone by Maproom on Wikimedia Commons

The Four Shires Stone

 Attractions, Heritage

This is an 18th Century square stone pillar, topped by a sundial and stone ball, which marks what used to be the junction of four counties (Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire). It still stands at the junction of three counties, just outside of Moreton-in-Marsh on the A44 to Chipping Norton. Due to county boundary changes, the Worcestershire lands owned by the Bishops of Worcester were transferred to Gloucestershire in the 1930’s. Whilst there is no written evidence, the Four Shires Stone is said to be the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien’s Three Farthing Stone, marking the centre of the Shire in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings.

  • Listing ID: 1569
Contact details

A44 between Moreton-in-Marsh and Chipping NortonMoreton-in-Marsh,GL56 0PF https://www.fourshirestone.org.uk/

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