Discover Staunton

Staunton combines an unusual settlement history with historic houses, a medieval church and rural trails. Anyone planning a trip with cultural discoveries and walks will find various points of interest around Snigs End. When choosing holiday accommodation in Staunton, you can therefore consider whether the Chartist history, historic buildings or trails through the open countryside should be the main focus.

Snigs End and the Chartist houses

The Chartist settlement of Snigs End in the parishes of Staunton and Corse is one of only five Chartist settlements ever completed. Key areas were designated as a Conservation Area in 1976. This gives the settlement a clearly defined historical focus that can be explored through several individual buildings.

Stone Cottage was built in Snigs End around 1848 to designs by Feargus O’Connor. Since its completion, the house has undergone comparatively little alteration; its floor plan and a large part of the original fabric have been preserved. Copeland's Cottage is also connected with the period in which the settlement was established: F. O’Connor built it in 1848 for the National Co-operative Land Company. The cottage is probably one of the least altered houses in the Chartist settlement.

A different period is represented by Laburnam Cottage. The house is probably a 16th- or 17th-century building and has brick-filled timber framing and a thatched roof. The contrast between this older house and the buildings of the Chartist settlement makes the historical comparison particularly interesting as a journey of discovery, without requiring you to focus on a single period.

The church and trails as distinct elements of your trip

St James lies just outside the village of Staunton. The medieval parish church retains fabric from the 12th, 14th and 15th centuries. The chancel, sacristy and porch were built in 1860 by G. R. Clarke. The church is reached by a private road and a signposted public footpath that starts at the lay-by near the church. If you plan to visit buildings of ecclesiastical historical interest, this site is therefore a distinct part of your day rather than merely an addition to the settlement.

The area around Snigs End is predominantly rural; open fields lie at all access points. The village is criss-crossed by footpaths and bridleways, which run predominantly from north to south. Footpath 13 follows the eastern boundary of the former Chartist estate and is accessible at the end of School Crescent. For your planning, this allows you to distinguish between a focus on buildings and a stay involving more outdoor activity.

Choosing Staunton as your accommodation base

A holiday apartment or holiday cottage in Staunton is particularly suitable if you would like to combine historical themes with a rural setting. When choosing an area, consider whether the surroundings of Snigs End or a location suited to visiting St James fits your plans better. For families, it may be helpful to decide in advance whether the focus for a day should be on houses and architectural history or on trails and open fields.

More places for planning your trip

For more travel ideas, you can also visit Winchcombe, Dumbleton, Coaley, Ampney Crucis, Weston Subedge, Clearwell, Moreton In Marsh and Charlton Kings.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gloucestershire.