The Stone House, positioned right at the top of the hill, is one of the village’s oldest buildings, standing for at least 400 years in its current form, and probably with a medieval building on the site prior to that. Known variously as The Cottage, Welton Cottage, Hill Crest House and Chetwynd Cottage, it has been part of the church’s estate and operated as a boarding school during its history
Below is a brief timeline but if you are interested in learning more detail, about the people who have lived here and the lives they led, you can find it here.
Interested in photos of The Stone House? Go to the photo album here where you’ll find photographs and press cuttings.
The Stone House, Welton — Timeline
House traced to the early 1600s as a tenanted farm; L‑shaped wing used as a 3‑bay hovel for livestock.
Rev. Daniel Darnell lives here; L‑wing used as a boys’ boarding school. Part of the church estate and sometimes referred to as the vicarage.
After Darnell’s death, the church advertises the house to let as a “gentleman’s cottage.”
Resident: Leonora Howard‑Vyse, widow of Major Granville Howard‑Vyse, with household staff.
Resident: Mrs Maud S. Hunter, with her servant Francis Bullas.
Advertised to let as “Welton Cottage”; contact given as Mrs Liddell, a former vicar’s wife.
Occupied by Captain Frederick and Isabelle Van Den Arend, a Rugby cigar businessman and his wife.
House offered for public auction as “Welton Cottage.”
Sold under instructions of Mr E. B. Law; description mentions two cottages, confirming the Stone House estate.
Resident: Ernest Martin, former RAF officer and military collector. House known as “Hillcrest House.”
Hillcrest House advertised for sale; estate includes St Martin’s Cottage and Virginia Cottage.
Owned by Bertram Howell Bishop, a caterer later imprisoned in 1953.
Resident: Vicar James Edwin Wright, as referenced in the house deeds.
Owned by Cyril Douglas and Mrs C. Abbott. Auctioned in 1962 as “Chetwynd Cottage,” together with St Martin’s Cottage.
Purchased by Edwin and Jean (Dore) Cox. Later owned by their son Tony Cox. Fox Ridge built on vegetable patch (allegedly without planning consent) for Jean and on her death sold in 1993
Sold to Dr Chris and Mrs Meryl Lovatt. St Martin’s Cottage separated into independent dwelling.
Purchased by the current owners.
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