Wistanstow

Wistanstow is a village and parish in Shropshire, England, United Kingdom.

Location

Wistanstow is located about 8km south of Church Stretton and 14km north of Ludlow. It is about 2½ km north of Craven Arms. It is just off the main Shrewsbury-Hereford road, the (A49). Including local hamlets, a population of 661 was recorded in the 1961 census.

History & Amenities

The village takes its name from the Saxon St. Wistan who was grandson of the Saxon King of Mercia. He was murdered by a jealous cousin. The Saxon suffix "stow" means (enclosed) place.

The present church building, Holy Trinity, was mainly built between 1180 and 1200. The nave roof of 1630 is one the church's finest features and was re-gilded in the mid-1960's. The interior is also graced by a number of early 19th century box pews and fine mid-20th century wooden panelling behind the altar.

Wistanstow has a splendid mock Tudor village hall that was given to the village in 1925 by a local landowner. This enormous "black-and-white" building included cottages for the District Nurse and resident caretaker. The village has a small church primary school.

At the other end of the village opposite Manor Farm is the Plough Inn. Just behind is a small independent Real Ale brewery.