Historic Village Stocks — Attraction in Cotswold District

Stow has attracted people settling in the Cotswolds since the Iron Age. Early Cotswold settlers were drawn initially to the adjoining village of Maugersbury, but overtime the commercial success of Stow has seen the town establish itself as the pre-eminent town in the Cotswolds. Stow is located at the junction of six roads making it an important and natural meeting place of the Cotswolds. One of the renowned Cotswold routes meeting in Stow is the famous Roman road – The Fosse Way. The centre of Stow has a remarkably large and impressive market square. Markets have regularly taken place in Stow since 1107 when King Henry II granted a charter. Originally known as Edwardstow, the town was probably founded in the 11th century. The Square is a reminder of Stow on the Wold’s heritage as the Cotswold’s major sheep market. In one of his Cotswold travels writer Daniel Defoe once recorded that 20,000 sheep were sold during a single day. Another reminder of Stow’s past is the little alleys leading from the market square. These were intentionally built narrow and winding as a way to control and count sheep. Also in the square are the old penal stocks now a famous Cotswold landmark. History and hospitality is never far away in Stow. Stow is the location of the oldest inn in England with a history reaching as far back as 987AD. The Royalist Hotel dining lounge still has a medieval fireplace showing "witch's marks" which were meant to ward off spells. There is also a resident ghost or two, and rumours of a secret tunnel from the cellars, leading under the street. Stow has always catered for visitors and travellers. At one time it was said that just about every building on the square was either an Inn or sold refreshment. The tradition continues today with some of the best Cotswold Hotels, Inns and...

Stocks only had one other party waiting to use. Good seating and shade under one big tree. The market square is a giant carpark. Very unattractive setting for a gorgeous village full of history. Footpaths are incomplete, narrow and uneven so not suitable for elderly or mobility challenged. Bus access is challenging due to the...

Unfortunately the culprits who destroyed the stocks managed to get away and left them in ruins. If caught, they should be made to repair them and then...