Stone is a small village occupying a commanding position on the eastern side of the Isle.
Stone - in- Oxney
At dusk the small broken hedgerows which parade along the top of the ridge appear to be stencilled on the sky, like a line of blackened miners returning home from work. This is the southern ridge of what is known as the Isle of Oxney, about five and a half miles long by three miles wide, encircled by the Rother, the Reading Sewer and the Royal Military Canal but rising over 200 feet at its centre above the surrounding marshes.
The Isle is divided into two parishes, Wittersham and Stone-cum-Ebony. Wittersham is the largest village and the attractive thirteenth century Church of St. John the Baptist stands in The Street among an eclectic mix of properties, old and new, large and small. Palstre Court, mentioned in the Domesday Book as comprising eleven properties, is set on the westerly slopes of this ‘island’ and was once a moated hamlet. Towards the western edge of the ridge the road crosses the Rother valley and climbs up hill to Peasmarsh and thence to Rye. Wittersham and Stone-in-Oxney are about three miles apart and half way between the two, at the cross roads, are a water tower and Stocks Mill. This fine example of a post mill was built in 1781 and is the largest of its kind in Kent. Carefully restored, it is open to the public on Sundays and Bank Holidays from May to September.
Stone is a small village occupying a commanding position on the eastern side of the Isle. The fifteenth century Church of St. Mary the Virgin has a fourteen foot square tower that is sixty two feet high. From this height there are superb far- reaching views in every direction across the surrounding countryside, while at ground level there are wonderful views of Romney Marsh from the southern end of the Church. Inside the church, standing under the tower near the west door, is the Roman stone that gave the village its name. It appears to be a Mithraic altar stone and evidence suggests that it came from Stutfall Castle near Lympne, which was a Roman garrison. The pretty area around the church has a charming fifteenth century building to its south west called ‘Tilmanden’ which may have been built as the original vicarage and certainly served as such in the past. This small, isolated village with its picturesque houses has always attracted both artisans and artistic people, including novelists, actors and producers of stage and screen. To quote A.G.Bradley again, when describing the merits of the buildings he says “…their creations suit the landscape and the landscape suits them to best advantage. It does very well as it is, representing super-excellently the quiet and peaceful type of English scenery”.
The rural community of Stone, lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Isle of Oxney, and enjoys far reaching views over the surrounding farmland. The village of Wittersham, 3 miles, has a primary school and community market, whilst the village of Appledore, 2 miles, has limited facilities including post office, village stores, public house and doctor's surgery. The market town of Tenterden, 6 miles to the north, has Waitrose and Tesco supermarkets, quality shops and leisure centre whilst to the south, is the Ancient Town and Cinque Port of Rye (6 miles) renowned for its period architecture, cobbled streets and historical associations. There are branch line train services from Appledore and Rye to Ashford International Station with connections for London and the Continent. The M20 may also be joined at Ashford (13 miles). A high speed train service has been introduced from London St Pancras to Ashford reducing the journey time to 37 minutes. Private schools in the area include Vine Hall at Robertsbridge, Marlborough House at Hawkhurst, Benenden Girl's School and Kings College at Canterbury.