A guide to Stanford Bishop
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Events in Stanford Bishop Three miles south-east, down the old turnpike road from Bromyard to Malvern, lies the village of Stanford Bishop that, until recent times, was chiefly an agricultural community, the fine loamy soil is ideal for crop and fruit growing. As the village`s suffix implies the lands were under control of the Bishops of Hereford; the "Stanford" is thought to indicate a Stoney Ford. The Church of St.James, set a little away from the village, sits on a small hilltop it`s circular churchyard surrounded by a bank and ditch - possibly the site of a fortified neolithic homestead? or the site of a stone circle? - a standing stone can also be seen by the churchyard gate. The church itself dates from the 13th century and has an aisless nave, chancel and west tower capped with a pyramid roof. The church was restored in 1884/5, during the restoration a chair was found in the tower that was believed to be the one used by St.Augustine when he met the Welsh Bishops in 600 AD, but is now thought to date no earlier than the mid 18th century. Many of the houses have an ancient lineage; Stanford Court was the seat of the Lords of the Manor, it was originally a 14th century moated manor house but was re-built - on a slightly different alignment - in the 18th century; the Leys dates from the 17th century; Silkcroft also dates from the 17th century. This is a timeless rural landscape that has managed to retain it`s unspoilt, tranquil atmosphere.