Shawstone

Shawstone is a village and civil parish in the rural county of Westbridge, in the Greenvale region of England. The parish covers surrounding farmland and includes the small hamlets of Longstead and Hillcroft. The population is around 1,200 residents, with the village centered on a historic green.

History and name: Evidence of settlement in Shawstone dates to the 12th century. The name is believed to derive from Old English elements meaning wood (shaw) and stone, possibly referring to a boundary stone near a wooded hill. The village grew around the parish church and a local manor house.

Landmarks: The parish church of St Mary the Virgin, dating to the 13th century, is at the heart of Shawstone. Shawstone Hall, a timber-framed manor house from the 17th century, stands nearby. A small watermill on Shaw Brook operated into the 19th century, and a village war memorial on the green commemorates residents who served in the world wars.

Economy and facilities: Shawstone’s economy is primarily agricultural, supplemented by small businesses and rural tourism. Amenities include a village shop, a public house called The Golden Fleece, and Shawstone Primary School, established in the late 19th century. The village hall hosts local events and meetings.

Governance and transport: Shawstone falls under Greenvale District Council and the Riverfield parliamentary constituency. It lies near the A39 corridor and is served by regular county bus services. The nearest rail link is in the town of Northgate, about eight miles away.