Stoford

Stoford is a small hamlet within the parish of Barwick, tucked into the South Somerset countryside barely two miles south of Yeovil and close to the Dorset border. It is easy to overlook on a map, yet it has been settled for a remarkably long time: a Bronze Age burial was uncovered just north of the village in 1826, and the name itself is thought to derive from the Saxon 'Stow-Ford'. Far from staying a backwater, Stoford was granted borough status in the Middle Ages, with a 1273 survey recording 74 burgages paying rent to their lord, and it kept that status for around three centuries.

Today Stoford is a peaceful residential spot, valued for its rural feel and its easy reach of Yeovil's shops, schools and services. Its main claim to fame among visitors is Yeovil Junction, the historic railway station on the West of England main line that sits within the village boundary, complete with a preserved turntable and a volunteer-run heritage centre. Beyond the railway, this is gentle, green South Somerset walking country, dotted with hedgerows, dairy pasture and a scattering of ancient parkland just a short stroll away.

Top things to do near Stoford

Stoford makes a low-key base for exploring some genuinely unusual and historic sites in the South Somerset countryside.

• Yeovil Railway Centre, Yeovil Junction — a volunteer-run heritage attraction right in Stoford, built around a working turntable, a Great Western Railway transfer shed and a collection of preserved steam and diesel locomotives; open for regular days and special events between March and October.
• Barwick Park Follies — four eccentric 18th-century follies known as Jack the Treacle Eater, the Rose Tower, the Fish Tower and the Obelisk, set at the four points of the compass around the parkland of the neighbouring village of Barwick; freely accessible and a favourite for an easy circular walk.
• Yeovil Country Park and Ninesprings — a large area of woodland, lakes and open parkland on the edge of Yeovil, a few minutes' drive away, with waymarked trails, a skate park and picnic space.
• Montacute House — a magnificent Elizabethan mansion and National Trust garden a short drive to the west, celebrated for its long gallery and formal grounds.
• Tintinhull Garden — a compact, plantsman's National Trust garden of formal rooms and borders, a few miles north of Stoford.

Getting to Stoford

Stoford sits just off the A37, about two miles south of Yeovil town centre, making it a quick drive from the A303 and the wider South Somerset road network. Its standout transport asset is on the doorstep: Yeovil Junction railway station lies within the village, on the West of England main line linking London Waterloo with Exeter, giving Stoford one of the more useful rural rail connections in the area. Yeovil's bus network and the town's other station, Yeovil Pen Mill, are also only a few minutes away by car.

Best time to visit Stoford

Spring and summer suit Stoford best, when the Barwick Park follies and surrounding footpaths are at their greenest and the Yeovil Railway Centre runs its regular open days. Autumn brings mellow colour to the parkland walks and a Halloween special at the railway centre, while a Santa Special in December adds some winter cheer for families. Being inland and low-lying, the area can turn muddy underfoot after wet weather, so sturdy footwear is worth packing whatever the season.

Where to stay near Stoford

Stoford itself is residential with no hotels of its own, but Yeovil, just two miles away, offers a good spread of chain and independent hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs to suit most budgets. Further afield, the villages around Montacute, Tintinhull and the wider South Somerset countryside have a number of characterful country inns and farmhouse B&Bs within easy reach.

Food and drink near Stoford

Stoford has no pub or shop of its own, but Barwick and the surrounding villages have traditional Somerset country pubs, and Yeovil town centre, a short drive away, has a full range of cafes, restaurants and takeaways covering everything from Somerset produce to international cuisine.