There has been a settlement at Stevington since Saxon times. The largely stone-built village has a post mill that was in operation until 1936. It was purchased by Bedfordshire County Council in 1951 and restored, so that now it would work if it wasn't for the lightning conductor.

In the boundary wall of the churchyard is Holywell, which was a pilgrimage site in the Middle Ages as the well had the power to cure eye afflictions. We found the water to be cold and refreshing, and with an interesting taste, probably due to its having filtered down through the graveyard.

The derivation of the name is uncertain but it may come from an Old English personal name and tun to give ‘farm or settlement connected with Stif(a)' or it could mean ‘farm or settlement at or called Styfing (the tree-stump place)' from styfic and ing. At the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086 Stevington is called Stiuentone. In the 2001 Census the parish population was 581.

The Cross

In a house near the cross in the centre of the village there once lived a man who was a true miser, hoarding every bit of money that he had. When he became ill he was rushed to hospital where he unfortunately died. Now it seems he has returned to the house in ghostly form to search for his money.

You may not be able to take it with you, but this man will certainly give it a good try.

To view a map of the area click on the button below

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St Mary's Church

Around the church, dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, a shadowy figure complete with large hat and cape has been seen (described as being straight off a Sandemans Port bottle).

To view a map of the area click on the button below



To view images see: Stevington - St Mary's Church Album

To view a report about St Mary's Church see: 28-01-2005 & 01-04-2011

Stevington, St Mary's Church