The general perception of Milton Keynes is that it is just the concrete and glass that you see when you step off of the train at Central MK train station. However, Milton Keynes is wonderful because it is made up of so many small towns, villages and areas each with their own personalities.
In this guide, you’ll discover Stony Stratford, one of the best-known small towns in Milton Keynes. I spend a fair amount of time in Stony Stratford, and grew up not far from it. I hope you enjoy reading this guide to Stony and discover some new favourite places to eat and explore.
Here’s an overview of what you’ll find in this guide. Click the links to jump to each section!
- About Stony Stratford
- Things to do in Stony Stratford
- Where to eat in Stony Stratford
- Places to shop in Stony Stratford
- Nearby places to explore
About Stony Stratford
Stony Stratford is a market town in Milton Keynes which historically sat on the route from London to Chester. This route is Watling Street, now the A5 and is a famous Roman route. It is in north-west Milton Keynes and the River Ouse between Stony Stratford and Old Stratford borders Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. It’s a very pretty town and is locally known as ‘the jewel of Milton Keynes.’ It’s one of my favourite towns in MK and it has so much character.
So here is a little bit of Stony history for you… The former Rose & Crown Inn was reputedly where the boy-king Edward V stayed the night before he was taken to London by his uncle Richard, Duke of Gloucester who became King Richard III. He was met in Stony Stratford by his uncle, who later deposed him. The inn is now a private house but a plaque on the front wall gives a disputed account of the event, asserting that Edward was murdered in the Tower of London.
Today it remains a bustling market town with a vibrant community – there is plenty going on in Stony!
Things to do in Stony Stratford
Local Markets
Living up to its legacy, there are regular markets in Stony Stratford which feature lots of local food, drink and craft producers. Odell’s Yard and Timor Court have markets on various Saturdays throughout the year. On the last Friday of every month, you will also find the Farmer’s Market in the market square from 9am – 1pm where you can stock up on local produce and lots of lovely food.
Eat Street MK
Eat Street is my monthly food highlight and a real asset to Stony. Run by Bob and Aida behind cheese toastie legends Good Times Cafe, Eat Street is a monthly street food market which hosts a range of vendors at York House Centre on the first Friday of every month. You’ll find some of MK’s best street food vendors here, as well as guest vendors from further afield. In the three years it has been running, it has grown in popularity and is a fantastic way to spend a Friday night. Find the next event in my What’s On calendar.
Read more: The Best Street Food Vendors in Milton Keynes
More things to do
- The River Ouse – A really lovely riverside walk.
- York House Centre – A community and arts centre. It hosts lots of local events from Music to Food Fairs. Check out their website for what’s on.
- Whitespace Yoga – A yoga and meditation studio.
Where to eat in Stony Stratford
There are lots of great eateries in Stony. There’s something for most tastes (though if you like curry, you’re in the right place!) I will say there are a LOT of pubs in Stony – too many to mention in this guide. And to be honest, they are all much of a muchness. From brunch to coffee to evening dining, here are some of the best spots to check out for food.
French Affaire
French Affaire is such a wonderful place to eat whether you are after brunch with the girls, a cute spot for lunch or a date night dinner. Located in Odell’s Yard in the heart of Stony Stratford, there is always something you’ll fancy on the menu. It’s such a dreamy spot to enjoy in the summer. I am obsessed with the crepes for brunch and the lobster croque for lunch.
Vero
Vero is French Affaire’s Venetian sister next door in Odell’s Yard. Serving Venetian Cichetti and Italian small plates, this is a beautiful place to enjoy dinner with friends or have a date night. The interior, just like French Affaire, is stunning.
Read more: A Taste of Venice at Vero, Stony Stratford
Out of Office Coffee House
Out of Office Coffee has a few locations now, but Stony was the original coffee shop. My fiancé, Dan, and I had our first date here, so it also holds a special place in my heart. It is a great spot for meeting friends or making your home office for the day as they have free WiFi. The coffee is good and ample cakes and treats are available. It’s a necessary alternative to a certain chain located just down the high street!
Read more: The Best Coffee Shops in Milton Keynes
Other restaurants to check out
- Casa Cento – Italian restaurant.
- Calcutta Brasserie – An Indian restaurant located inside a former church.
Where to Shop in Stony Stratford
I think the reason I love Stony so much is that it remains fairly untouched by chains restaurants and shops – it does have quite a unique feel to the high street. In addition to the local markets, here are some of my favourite places to shop in Stony Stratford.
On the High Street
On The High Street is probably one of my favourite shops in Milton Keynes! It’s great for finding unique gifts and trinkets. Everything is sourced from local independent businesses in and around Bucks and Northamptonshire. Hence, it is a real celebration of local talent. You’ll find beautiful pieces of handmade jewellery, funky paintings and even a cheeky sign or two from Outhouse!
Lovely Living
This shop is #InteriorGoals. For all your bijou interior needs, Lovely Living will make that cash burn a hole in your pocket. From beautiful candles to unique prints, vases and furniture it’s the shop your boyfriend will probably dread!
The Siren Vintage
If you need a vintage shop, The Siren Vintage is the one. A Pandora’s box of pieces of the 1920s to the 50s it has a huge range of clothing and furniture pieces.
Odell & Co.
Odell’s is a bit of a Stony institution. The shop is split in two: you have the Ironmonger’s and the kitchen shop. In the Ironmonger’s you’ll find all sorts of DIY goods. It’s probably your Dad’s dream! On the other side is the kitchen shop which is PACKED with beautiful things for the kitchen. I can’t wait til I have my own to kit out because I’m heading straight there.
Woodstock Artisan Bakery
I adore this little bakery! Situated on the end of the high street, Woodstock’s sells a range of delicious homemade cakes, bread and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Everything is freshly made on the premises and you can also find jars of homemade jams and chutneys from Jam Moo Kow.
Stratford Arcade
Stratford Arcade is a beautiful little arcade featuring a handful of shops, cafes and a hair salon! In here, you’ll find the Coffee Bean Cafe, Stony Card Box (my go-to local card shop!), Stony Sweet Shop and more.
More places to shop
- Back to the Fuschia – Creative florists in Timor Court.
- Willis Flowers – Florist on the high street.
- Lux – A great little bag and accessory shop in Timor Court.
- Willen Hospice Book Shop – My favourite local stop for second-hand books.
So there we have it! My ultimate guide to Stony Stratford! I’d love to hear your suggestions on where to eat and explore in this pretty little town – drop me a Tweet or a comment below! And of course, I’ll keep this as up to date with new launches and additions as much as I can.
Let me know your favourite places to go in Stony Stratford!
The Cock and Bull story originated in Stony Stratford. Maybe you should look it up and include it.,