A BRIEF VILLAGE TIMELINE
Stevington boasts a rich history dating back to Roman times when it was situated between the Roman highways of Ermine Street and Watling Street. Not only was it an ancient Domesday village, it has been part of the kingdom of the Middle Angles, later under the rule of the Kingdom of Mercia and the Kingdom of Wessex under Alfred the Great. With the Danish invasions of the ninth century, Stevington was a Danelaw frontier town until Bedford was recovered from the Danes.
The Domesday survey recorded Stevington as one of the richest parishes in the County with a pre-Conquest value of £30 which no other village of its acreage in the County approached.
You can find a wealth of history about the village from the Stevington Historical Trust.
THE CROSS
Local historians believe there has been a cross in the village since the 1200s. The earliest mention of a cross at Stevington is in the Hundred Roll of 1279. Whilst there's no definitive date for its carving, not can we be sure we're still seeing the original cross, the design we see today indicates a 13th century origin.
St mary's church
St Mary’s Church has been the village centre of worship since the 11th century. A 9th century wooden watch-tower was replaced in the 11th century by the stone tower that we see today, with further architectural additions made across the years.
WALKING ROUTES AROUND THE VILLAGE
The Definitive Footpath map of Stevington published by Bedford Borough Council in December 2020 can be downloaded here.
Please remember you cannot ride a bicycle or horse on a public footpath. Public bridleways are for walkers, horse riders and pedal cyclists. Pedal cyclists should give way to walkers and horse riders.