Stanford village is built on soil-clad Corallian Limestone, which in patches comes close to the surface through erosion.

On Bowling Green Farm at the western end of the parish, about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Faringdon, are remains of what was probably a Roman estate.

[4] Evidence exists of Roman fields and scattered outbuildings surrounding the village and villa.

[8] The Dictum of Kenilworth issued that October allowed him to reclaim his lands by paying a premium, which he did in 1269.

In the early 15th century Stanford was among the manors that passed by the marriage of Isabel le Despenser, Countess of Worcester to Richard de Beauchamp, 13th Earl of Warwick.

In 1489 the all Countess's estates, including Stanford, were restored to her, but she conveyed them to the victorious King Henry VII.

[8] In the 16th century the manor of Stanford passed through notable local landholding families including those of Fettiplace and Knollys.

Around the turn of the 17th century Elizabeth Knollys became married to Henry Willoughby of Risley, Derbyshire, who in 1611 was created 1st Baronet.

[13] St Denys' parish is part of the Benefice of Stanford in the Vale with Goosey and Hatford.

In 1230 King Henry III granted William de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby and the men of Stanford the rights to hold a weekly market in the village and an annual three-day fair on the eve, feast and morrow of St Denis,[8] which is 8–10 October.

Stanford's market and fair faced competition with those of other villages in the area including Baulking, East Hendred, Hinton Waldrist, Kingston Lisle and Shrivenham.

[16] In the English Civil War there were clashes a few miles to the north, at Faringdon and Radcot (a strategic crossing of the Thames), in 1644 and 1645.

[citation needed] On 21 August 2005 a fire badly damaged a row of five 16th-, 17th- and 18th-century thatched cottages[17] beside Church Green.

[19] Stanford has a primary school,[20] a pre-school, two village greens, a post office, other shops and businesses, and a number of clubs and societies.

This was followed, in order, by human health and social work, professional, scientific and technical activities and by education as the other occupations.

With between 88 and 95 workers, construction and manufacturing were industries in which other villagers at the date of that census tended to work.