Stretton Bridge carries the A444 road across the River Mease, which forms the northern parish boundary.

The name Stretton-en-le-Field is explained as a settlement ton/tun, lying in open country field/feld, by a Roman road stret/straet; with the influence of French on English history following the Norman Conquest having a clear impact on the village's current name.

[1] The adjacent Rectory Lane was previously known as The Golden Way Road, and before that as Goldherewey/Goldhordewe, referring to a hoard of Roman coins found there in medieval times.

The Domesday book has two listings for Stretton: one part in Leicestershire, one in Derbyshire, both belonging to Henry de Ferrers as tenant-in-chief.

The Lord is recorded as Roger of Livet (having previously been Aelfric of Bradbourne, Kari, and Leofnoth Sterre in 1066).

[4] St Michael's Church, built in the 14th century in an elevated position in the village, is now redundant, i. e. not used for regular services, but remains consecrated.

Earthworks near the church reveal the location of former buildings of the village, including Stretton Hall, once home to the Lord of the Manor.

Sir Genille Cave-Browne-Cave, 12th Baronet (1869–1929), before inheriting his father's title and fortune, had worked in America as a bartender and cowboy (using the assumed name "Mr.

[9] The New York Times stated Sir Genille's inheritance was 6,000 acres; the article, however, seems inaccurate, calling Stretton Hall "a Norman Castle with accommodation for sixty guests, and a stable that quarters forty horses".