Stanway is about 3 miles (5 km) west of Colchester city centre on the B1408 (former A12), near the junction of the A12 and the A1124 at Eight Ash Green.

Further shops and businesses such as the Co-op, Halfords and Hatfields occupy the Peartree road area.

A major studio and filming facility, owned by iSite, is located in the business district of Stanway.

All Saints' church, first recorded in about 1260, had fallen out of use during the 16th century,[5] but was repaired and the chancel and north aisle were demolished in about 1605 by Sir John Swinterton, when it became the private chapel to Stanway Hall.

[5] The oldest parts of the present building date from the 12th century and incorporate Roman bricks in the heads of some of the windows.

[8] In 1996, before the expansion of the Stanway sand and gravel quarry, an archaeological team was called in to investigate the outline of five ancient ditched enclosures identified by aerial photography.