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The History of Stony Stratford in MK
The ancient town of Stony Stratford is the jewel of Milton Keynes and is one of our favourite places to eat, drink and shop. Here’s a little bit about the famous phrase that marks its history…
If you’ve ever visited Stony Stratford, the beautiful market town in the Borough of MK, you’ll perhaps know the two main pubs, The Cock Inn and The Bull Inn. These pubs are the birthplace of one of the English language’s most iconic sayings, “a cock and bull story”.
Not only is Stony Stratford celebrated for being an area of MK with a rich history, but it’s also the place of origin for a proverb that is recognised throughout the English-speaking world! It is believed that the phrase dates all the way back to the late 18th / early 19th centuries, at the height of the great coaching era. During this period, Stony Stratford was a main stopping point on the Old Roman Road (now Watling Street) for passengers travelling between various parts of the country to the capital.
As a well-known halfway place, Stony Stratford became the traveller’s hub of news and gossip, with anecdotes from every region being shared in the town’s two inns, The Cock and The Bull. The two pubs soon ended up in competition with one another in re-telling the most outrageous and scandalous travellers’ tales. In fact, the rivalry became a tradition and they formed a Cock & Bull Society for all of their banter.
Today, the saying “a cock and bull story” means a farfetched, fanciful or unbelievable tale. So the next time someone’s telling a porky, you can refer them to MK’s favourite ancient corner.
The area itself dates back to the Roman times, with a recorded settlement forming in 1194, at the time of King Richard I. By Norman times, Stony Stratford had become a fully-fledged market town with a bustling square and two churches.
Over the centuries, the town has had various names, including ‘Stani Stratford’, ‘Old Sratford’ and ‘Stretteford’. Today, our beloved Stony Stratford is home to more than 350 independent businesses and is a great place to spend the day (or a weekend). Go and marvel at the stunning Georgian architecture, hit the shops, or visit The Cock or Bull Inn for a pint.