top of page
St John's Church,  Mainstone

Maegen Stan

Weight

90kg / 198lbs


Location

View on Google Maps

View on What3Words - ///puff.visions.starfish

The Challenge
To Chest

Up and over the left shoulder


Name Origin

Maegen Stan (or Maen Stone or Main Stone), a historic stone that as tradition hold gave its name to the village it sites in, "Mainstone".


Stones Placement

The stone now sits inside on private land at St John's Church beside the pulpit.


History

The stone once sat at the North West entrance to the churchyard on the path of Offa's Dyke and was first recorded in the 1870's where tradition holds that it was lifted by the young men of the parish as a test of strength; with the traditional lift was to "raise it up to the height of the face, then cast (throw) it over the left shoulder". 


It was still lifted up until the 1950's, (although this may have been the first time since the early 1900's) and always brought to the local fair.


The community are behind reviving the tradition of the Stone and talks are being held on how to allow future lifts currently. Details to follow on how to organise a lift.


Sources: Old Man Of The Stones and @Sherlock_Stones


Access and Permissions

This stone is located on private land. Users should ensure that any lifting is compatible with the applicable access rights and restrictions and leave the stone and surrounding area as they found them.


Please read our Stonelifting Policy  before attempting to lift this stone. The policy sets out the requirements regarding access, permissions, safety, conservation and responsible lifting.

St John's Church,  Mainstone

Issues with a stone or location?
Contact us.

© 2026 by English Stonelifting

  • Instagram

Responsible Access

English Stone Lifting is an independent information and mapping resource dedicated to documenting England's stone-lifting tradition. Publication of a stone's location does not constitute permission to access land, move or lift a stone. Users are responsible for obtaining any permission or consent required and for complying with applicable access, environmental, heritage and land-management restrictions. Please respect landowners, local communities, wildlife, archaeological features and the surrounding landscape. English Stonelifting does not organise or supervise visits to individual stones and may remove or restrict listings where concerns arise.

bottom of page