You are absolutely right about old stone houses. I live in an old stone cottage surrounded by trees and it's amazing in the summer. We turn our ac on a few weeks to a month after everyone else does(in the US).

The winters aren't too bad either. We have a tiny wood stove and even when using the oil furnace it holds heat in pretty well.

Side bonus! Home owners insurance gives us a break because the risk of fires goes way down when the outside is made of rocks.