Explore and learn about Staddle Stones one of the many features of the Cotswold Landscape.
They were used in Medieval Times to keep Vermin out of stored grain. The base stones taper towards the top with an overlapping cap stone placed above, making it almost impossible for a rodent to climb up and into the hay or grain stored above. The air could freely circulate beneath the stored crops and this helped to keep it dry. A wood framework was placed onto the tops of the stones, the staddles being arranged in two or three rows, giving sixteen or more stones. Hayricks, Tithe barns, Granaries, etc. were built on top of this frame. Take a look at the use of Staddle Stones today in the best Cotswold Tour photos: The Thatched Pavilion at Stanway cricket club is built on Staddle Stones. They are used as garden ornaments as seen in the photograph of Lower Slaughter Country Inn and Bourton House garden: They have been built into a garden wall in Snowshill.