Stanton Fitzwarren


Stanton Fitzwarren is a village and civil parish northeast of Swindon, England. It is historically in Wiltshire, but is now part of the unitary authority of Swindon.

Parish church

The Church of England parish church of Saint Leonard is Norman. The north and south doorways, the chancel arch and a window in the north wall all survive from this period. The cylindrical font is an important Norman sculpture depicting eight virtues, eight vices, the Church, the Evil One and a six-winged seraph. The Norman building had an apse, of which the foundations were discovered during restoration work in 1865. The chancel was rebuilt in the 14th century with a flat east wall and east window. The bell tower was added in 1631. The church has been listed as grade 1 by English heritage.
St. Leonard's restoration was completed by the Gothic Revival architect J.W. Hugall. In 1891 the nave was lengthened westwards and the south porch was added. During one of the 19th century rebuildings a new east window was inserted in the chancel and the 14th century one was re-used as the centrepiece of a folly in the grounds of Stanton House. St. Leonard's parish is now part of a single Church of England benefice with the parishes of South Marston and Stratton St Margaret.

Railway

The Swindon and Highworth Light Railway between Highworth Junction on the Great Western Main Line and Highworth was built through Stanton Fitzwarren in 1879-81 but the original company was unable to open the line and sold it to the Great Western Railway in 1882. In 1883 the GWR finally opened the line to traffic, with three intermediate stations including. British Railways withdrew passenger services in 1953, apart from workmen's trains that it continued to run until 1962. Most of the line, including the section through Stanton, was then dismantled.

Stanton House

Stanton House was built in 1935 in traditional Cotswold style for a New York businessman. It is now an 82-room hotel.

Amenities

Stanton has a village hall and a Women's Institute.