The Grade I listed parish church of St Mary[3] has Anglo-Saxon origins with much Victorian restoration of 1864-65 by H. and G. Godwin.

The chancel contains the ornate tombs of the Tudor courtier Sir Ralph Sadler and his son Thomas Sadleir.

In addition to the church, there is a village hall, two public houses, a Chinese restaurant, post office, butcher, baker, and newsagent.

Villagers also make frequent use of facilities in neighbouring Puckeridge, which include a pharmacy, estate agent, petrol station, public houses, doctor's surgery and primary schools (including St Thomas of Canterbury, a Roman Catholic primary school).

Standon features in the novel The House on Boulby Cliff (2020) by Kevin Corby Bowyer, former organist of St Mary's Church.