Four Shire Stone – Is this Tolkien’s Three Farthing Stone in Lord Of The Rings?

The Four Shire Stone near Moreton-in-Marsh is a waymarker that stands at the former meeting point of four counties of the Cotswolds.

But what many people do not know is that this boundary line pillar was an inspiration to J. R. R. Tolkien and his Legendarium.

It is thought that this monument inspired the Three-Farthing Stone of the Shire.

This is mentioned in both of his books, The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings.

Here’s a complete guide on how to visit the Four Shire Stone in Moreton-in-Marsh.

What is the Four Shire Stone?

The Four Shire Stone is not a stone but a 9-foot pillar that is made of locally quarried Cotswold stone. 

The pillar was constructed centuries ago to mark the meeting place of four English counties.

Those are Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Worcestershire.

On each side of the pillar, the county has been carved into the stone in the direction it faces.

So, if you were walking here centuries ago, this waymarker would have given you the right direction.

From here, you can head East or West to Gloucestershire, North to Warwickshire, South East to Oxfordshire, and South West to Worcestershire. 

It’s located around 25 miles from Oxford and two miles away from the town of Moreton-in-Marsh.

Although waymarkers like this have been commonplace in the UK for centuries, this is the only place in Britain that marks four counties.

Four Shire Stone history

There was an older waymarker here called the Four Shire Stone that was built in 1675.

In Thomas Habington’s Survey of Worcestershire, he mentions;

”The stone which toucheth four sheeres, a thing rarely scene”

The current structure we see today was then rebuilt in the 18th century, and it’s this monument that is Grade II listed.

As well as marking the meeting place of four counties, it also used to mark the boundary lines of seven civil parishes. 

These are Moreton-in-Marsh, Batsford (former), Lower Lemington (former), Great Wolford, Little Compton, Chastleton, and Evenlode. 

According to local tales, this was a place where gangs from different counties used to meet to fight before the days of a unified police force.

It proved a smart place because it was really easy to run off into an adjoining county and avoid arrest from the local constabulary.

In 1931, the boundary lines of Worcestershire changed, and then the pillar only marked the meeting place of three counties. So, it lost status.

The modernisation of the roadway meant that the Four Shire Stone became of little use to travellers.

So, it became largely forgotten. For years, it was abandoned and surrounded by lots of shrubbery and overgrowth.

Today, the site has recently had a clear-up project and is now protected by a barrier. 

They are in the process of cleaning and repairing the Cotswold stone to revive this important piece of Cotswold history.

The Four Shire Stone Tolkien Connection

Many people visit this pillar today as there is a strong possibility that this place inspired J. R. R. Tolkien and his Legendarium. 

It’s actually been confirmed by a local Tolkien Society that this pillar inspired the “Three Farthing Stone” in The Lord Of The Rings. 

In the books, the Hobbit’s homeland is called the Shire, and it’s divided into four farthings. 

Three of those farthings meet at the Three-Farthing Stone, and these are Westfarthing, Southfarthing, and Eastfarthing. 

The Three-Farthing Stone lies on the Great East Road between By-Water and Green-hill country.

You could compare it to the Four Shire Stone, as it lies on the Great A44 road.

Plus, we know the boundary lines of Worcestershire changed in 1931, which connect three of the four farthings that meet at the stone in the Shire.

Where is the Four Shire Stone in the Cotswolds? 

If you want to visit this Hobbit-like location for yourself in the Shire, then you’ll need to head to the Cotswolds.

This is a huge area that stretches from the Midlands to the South of England.

The Four Shire Stone is located between the four counties of Warwickshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Worcestershire.

Although the boundary lines are outdated, you can still find the monument right beside the A44 road at the turning of Great Wolford.

This is just a few miles away from the thriving Cotswolds market town of Moreton-in-Marsh. 

So, if you are on a road trip in the North Cotswolds, it makes a great place to stop for any Lord Of The Rings or The Hobbit fan.

How to Visit the Four Shire Stone Moreton in Marsh

The easiest way to access the Four Shire Stone is to drive. It’s just 1.7 miles out of the main High Street of Moreton in Marsh on the A44 Road.

You need to drive in the direction of Oxford for around a mile and then make a turn when you see a sign for Great Wolford.

There is a small space on the side of the road where you can park your car to get out and have a look.

Make sure to park with consideration and be careful not to park too close to the junction. Also, look both ways when you walk over to the stone.

Although Great Wolford is a quiet place, cars do turn down here all the time from a national speed limit road.

You could walk here from Moreton in Marsh in around 30 minutes. There is a pavement along the A44 Oxford Road. 

Eventually, the pavement turns into a narrow grass-beaten path on the side of the A44 road that leads you to the marker. 

But be warned, it’s far from scenic, with cars whizzing beside you.

Tolkien locations in the Cotswolds

There are many places in the Cotswolds that fans and Tolkien societies feel inspired by J. R. R. Tolkien’s Legendarium.

If you haven’t visited already, head to Moreton-in-Marsh next, where you can visit The Bell Inn pub. 

Many believe this was the inspiration for the Prancing Pony at Bree. There is a commemorative blue plaque outside.

In Stow-on-the-Wold, you must pop by St Edward’s Church and head to the back of the churchyard.

Here, there is a door flanked by yew trees which many believe is a real-life Moria and the Doors of Durin. 

The iconic Broadway Tower has been compared to Amon Hen and the Seat of Seeing, and the Rollright Stones are very similar to the Barrow-Downs.

In greater Oxfordshire, you could head to the Vale of the White Horse.

Near the site is Dragon Hill, which Tolkien’s son believes is the location of Weathertop.

Near to that is Wayland’s Smithy, which is another inspiration for the Barrow-Downs.

And who could forget Oxford, where Tolkien was a professor at the university?

Head to the Eagle and Child to see where he would meet ‘The Inklings’. Famous members included authors such as C. S. Lewis.

Read even more of my Cotswolds travel guides

The best things to do in Snowshill

Why you must visit Cotswold Lavender 

How & why you must visit the Broadway Tower 

The best things to do in Stow on the Wold

The best places to visit in Bibury and Arlington Row

A complete guide for Lower Slaughter and Upper Slaughter

The best places to visit in Tetbury and the Chipping Steps

The hidden gem of Minster Lovell Hall ruin

What to do in Burford, gateway to the Cotswolds

The top things to do in Castle Combe 

Harry Potter locations in Lacock and Gloucester Cathedral  

Best places to visit in Lacock Village 

A complete guide for Corsham and Great Chalfield Manor

Save the Four Shire Stone Tolkien location