Stanford Dingley

Stanford Dingley is a pretty little village located in the valley of the River Pang, on the minor roads between the A4 Bath Road and the M4 motorway. The river flows through the village and by the bridge there is a former water mill, now a house. The village contains a mixture of 17th and 18th century brick and timber framed houses and cottages, and the walls of some of the houses have painted rendering.

The church, dedicated to St. Denys, is believed to be one of the oldest foundations in Berkshire, as some of the original Saxon stonework still stands. The font is Norman and additions to the building were made in the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. The church is famous for its medieval wall paintings dating back to the 12th century. The paintings were whitewashed over at the Reformation but were rediscovered by the Victorians although they then covered some of them up again. In early Spring a mass of snowdrops decorate the churchyard and later there is amass of primroses, daffodils, grape hyacinths and lesser celandines, making a riot of colour.

Adjacent to the church is Manor Farm House, which was built on the site of an old moated Manor House and small medieval village. Parts of the moats can still be seen. The original manor house was owned by the de la Beche family in the 14th and 15th centuries. There are famous monuments to members of this family.

Opposite The Bull Public House is the little village green.

Stanford Dingley is 5 miles west of Theale (as the crow flies).