In 1725 the Pateshall family bought Allensmore Court and it remained in their family until it was demolished in 1957 following the death of the last of the family line. Continue reading Allensmore Court History →

The original Aramstone House dated back to the early 17^th century, when it was owned by the Marrett family, then it passed to the Woodhouse family through marriage.  Francis Woodhouse rebuilt the house in around 1730 and it stood in gorgeous grounds close to the River Wye.  Outside features included an ice house;  a cold bath, glasshouses and a dovecote. Continue reading Aramstone Court History →

Aylton Court, a large Georgian house built of brick, was originally owned by Miss Eliza Miles, of Clifton, Gloucestershire and in her final years, Firbeck Hall near Tickhill in Yorkshire. When she died she left the estate at Aylton to her cousin Philip William Skinner Miles. Over the years it was rented out to various tenants some of which are shown below, and recently it was up for sale as a large family house – good to see that it has not been split into flats or turned into a hotel. Continue reading Aylton Court History →

Thomas Harley, a man who had made a fortune supplying the British army, decided that he needed a house to reflect his wealth and standing; he first employed Capability Brown who chose the ideal location for what was to become Berrington Hall – one which would afford wonderful views across to the Black Mountains in Wales as well as swathes of Herefordshire countryside. Continue reading Berrington Hall History →

Bishopswood House in Walford was until fairly recently called The Coppice or Coppice Vicarage, and was built in 1844 for John Partridge, a past High Sheriff of Monmouthshire when the parish of Bishopswood was created by combining Walford with Ruardean over the border in Gloucestershire. John funded the building of the church for the new parish. Continue reading Bishopswood House – Previously The Coppice →

The original building on the site of Bodenham Manor was pulled down when the Rev. Henry Arkwright was appointed as clergyman of Bodenham in 1842 by his uncle John Hungerford Arkwright who was the grandson of Sir Richard Arkwright of cotton spinning fame.
A new house, The Vicarage, was built in 1843/44 which belonged to the church, and Henry Arkwright with his fast growing family moved in in 1850 – he stayed there until he died in 1889. Continue reading Bodenham Manor/The Vicarage, Bodenham →

Herefordshire is rich with glorious castles, some of which admittedly are in ruins, but Bollitree Castle cannot be counted among their number as it is more of a house masquerading as a castle;   it never had anything to do with defence and was a mere folly which was added on to a Queen Anne mansion.  The stable block however has always been considered to be rather splendid, and is now Grade 11 listed. Continue reading Bollitree Castle – History →

Brampton Bryan Castle sat on a floodplain close to the River Teme, from where they could keep a close eye on the route from Wales through to Ludlow. Continue reading Brampton Bryan Castle →

This beautiful, still privately owned, house sits close to the Shropshire border, and was built in 1660 at the end of the Civil War after the destruction of Brampton Bryan Castle. In the mid 18th century it was much enlarged and renovated, and the owners have kept the building in excellent condition, indeed it was featured in Howards End. Continue reading Brampton Bryan Hall History →

Bredenbury Court was first called Bredenbury House, and then Bredenbury Mansion.

Continue reading Bredenbury Court →

Brinsop Court was originally built in the 13th century, but of course has been much extended and renovated since then. It lies some six miles from Hereford in glorious Herefordshire countryside and has a rich history, which includes the “fact” that St. George killed his dragon at nearby Brinsop Church. Continue reading Brinsop Court History →

Broadfield Court began life in the 13th century, and in the 14th century was owned by a monastic order. By the 16th century the house was privately owned and in 1770 the estate was settled on Robert Phillipps. Over the following years, the house was allowed to fall into disrepair until it was purchased by John H. Burchall who began renovations in the 19th century. Continue reading Broadfield Court History →

Brockhampton Court near Fownhope in Herefordshire, is not to be confused with Brockhampton Estate which is located near Bromyard.

The original house, a rectory built in the mid eighteenth century and lying close to the Ross on Wye to Hereford road, was known as Upper Court and first was owned by the Dean and Chapter of Hereford Cathedral before being sold to the Skyrme family whereupon it passed down through the family until it was again sold to William Stallard in 1833.
Continue reading Brockhampton Court History →

The Bromyard Workhouse was built in 1836 at a cost of around £3000, the architect being George Wilkinson who also was responsible for the workhouses at Leominster, Weobley and Ledbury. Continue reading Bromyard Union Workhouse →

Burghill House as the Court was originally known, was built by Benjamin Biddulph in the late 18th century, and was thought to have been designed by Anthony Keck of Gloucestershire. Continue reading Burghill Court History →

The Manor of Burton Court dates from around the 11th century, but the present house originated in the 14th century with rebuilds in the nineteenth century. Further work was carried out in 1912. The following photograph was kindly provided by Edward Simpson of Burton Court, which is enjoying a new lease of life as a hugely popular venue for weddings, as well as providing facilities for conferences etc. Continue reading Burton Court History →

Byford Court was first built in the late 16th century, but was greatly extended and rebuilt during the 1700s. It was always principally a farming house, and has passed through many hands over the years. Continue reading Byford Court History →

In the sixteenth century, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Manor of Nether Frome was purchased by Richard Harford of Bosbury, (later Sir Richard, described as a “Usurer” in parliament) and when he died, his widow Martha leased it to Michael Hopton from Ludlow whom she eventually married, and they built what was known then as the Strong House, a moated building, which event saw the beginning of some 300 years of Hopton ownership of the site. Michael Hopton himself died on 1st April 1668. Continue reading Canon Frome Court History →

The original Cheney court dated from the 15th century, and up until the mid 1800s was called China Court, the house being enlarged in around 1870 and then tragically lost forever when it burnt down in 1888, although the private chapel still remains.

Continue reading Cheney Court History →

The original Croft Castle is thought to have been built in the eleventh century by Bernard de Croft, a Norman Knight, who was succeeded by many eminent Crofts, including Hugh de Croft – murdered in 1317 by the Herefordshire Lacys whilst trying to negotiate peace in Ireland. Continue reading Croft Castle History →

Dewsall Court is not the most impressive of the country houses in Herefordshire, but it is lovely and has survived the years since it was first built in the 17th century by Richard Pearle in spite of an application to knock it down in the mid twentieth century. Continue reading Dewsall Court History →

Dormington Court dates from the early 17^th century, and became much larger when  an extension was built in the early 18^th century.

It is part timber frame and part brick, and originally boasted a superb stable block;   it is now a hotel and  many of the original farm buildings have been bulldozed and replaced with a housing estate. Continue reading Dormington Court History →

Downton Castle is situated at Downton on the Rock close to the border with Shropshire, and should not be confused with Downton Hall which is a few miles the other side of the border. Continue reading Downton Castle →

Downton Castle is situated at Downton on the Rock close to the border with Shropshire, and in the parish of Leintwardine. It should not be confused with Downton Hall which is a few miles the other side of the border. Continue reading Downton Castle History →

Dulas Court is an 18th century mansion house built on the site of a 16th century house, which was rebuilt and improved for Colonel Feilden in the mid 19th century;  it is now a Care Home. Continue reading Dulas Court – History →

Eastnor Castle is quite simply – beautiful!   Constructed from sandstone quarried from the Forest of Dean, this magical building positively glows in the light of the rising or setting sun and enchants from every angle; it enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and the Malvern Hills, and still has a large herd of red deer in the park. Continue reading Eastnor Castle History →

Easton Court was built in the early 1800s on the site of an earlier building and from what is left of the now decaying and ruined house it can be seen that it was a fine dwelling at one time. Continue reading Easton Court History →

Elton Hall was rebuilt in the mid 18th century, although it kept the bones of an earlier half timbered house, and Elton estate was in the occupation of Thomas Andrew Knight, who was an important agricultural and horticulture developer. At Elton he created a walled garden where he performed some of his many experiments with fruit trees etc. More about Thomas Andrew Knight can be found here at Downton Castle. Continue reading Elton Hall History →

Fownhope Court started life in the 17th century, with renovations and alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries. I believe that the Court was owned by Sir William Gregory in the mid 1600s, but it was later sold to the Lechmere family who remained there right through to the 1900s. Continue reading Fownhope Court History →

The incredibly impressive Foxley manor house is sadly no longer in existence but it must have been one of the most important houses in Herefordshire, if not the Country. Continue reading Foxley Manor House – History →

Garnons country house, situated just west of Hereford, has a slightly elevated position which affords wonderful views. Continue reading Garnons History →

Background – before Garnstone Castle was built.

In the mid 16^th century the Garnstone estate was granted to trustees by James Tomkyns for his own use along with his wife Margery, and his descendants remained there until 1661.  At this time it became part of the settlement made upon Anne Tomkyns on her marriage to Roger Vaughan, and it was sold to Colonel Birch, a successful officer in Cromwell’s army.

Colonel Birch was originally a pack horse driver, travelling and trading his own goods, and he was so… Continue reading Garnstone Castle – History →

Gatley Park along with the manor of Leinthall Starkes were originally owned by the Crown and the park itself goes back to the Middle Ages, but at the beginning of Elizabeth l reign they were given to one William Home; from him through the Croft family until they were conveyed in 1633 to Sir Sampson Eure, a President of the Coucil in the Marches. Continue reading Gatley Park →

This is certainly not the biggest or most impressive of the old country houses in Herefordshire, but it does have a certain charm. Dating from the early 19th century, and lying a few miles south of Ross on Wye, it had a succession of owners until the present day where it has gone the way of many other such houses, and is now a hotel. Continue reading Glewstone Court History →

Goodrich Castle, situated high on a hill above an important ford on the River Wye, was first constructed of wood and earth by Godric, a wealthy landowner, in the 11th century. Continue reading Goodrich Castle History →

Great Brampton House is a Regency Building on the Site of an older property, probably built for John Pye who sold it in 1825 to Charles Ballinger. In 1853 the house was acquired by the Murray Aynsley family who are thought to have made many of the alterations that leave the house in the basic form which we see today. Continue reading Great Brampton House History →

Hall Court at Kynaston, Much Marcle is a handsome timber framed building, which has mostly been used as a farm house down the years. It is thought that the gardens and orchards were laid out by John Coke who built the house, and who was keen on kitchen gardening as well as exotic or little known plants. Continue reading Hall Court History →

Hampton Court Castle in Herefordshire is not only exceptionally beautiful and well maintained, but also boasts history dating back to the 15th century, and is set in over 1000 acres of parkland, woodlands and pasture, with the river Lugg running close by. Continue reading Hampton Court Castle History →

Originally King John owned the Harewood estate, and he gave it to the Knights Templar in the 11th century who constructed a chapel and house on the site which amounted to some 30 acres. Later, this became a preceptory of the Knights Templars, and afterwards of the Knights Hospitallers of the Order of St. John Of Jerusalem. Continue reading Harewood Park History →

Hatfield Court is some five miles from Leominster, and five from Bromyard; the original 17th century building is in a ruinous state, with a more modern house adjoining the old walls. Continue reading Hatfield Court History →

By far the most common reason for people coming before the Court was Larceny and there was a wide range of punishments recorded for this crime…………ranging from a few days to several months in gaol, sometimes with a whipping thrown in, or hard labour. Occasionally if it was a second offence, then the sentence was Transportation for a few years. Continue reading Hereford Prison →

Hereford Union Workhouse was built in Commercial Road, Hereford with work being completed in 1837 Continue reading Hereford Workhouse →

This fifteenth century manor house sits a couple of miles from Kington, and originally had a moat.  It underwent some alterations over the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries Continue reading Hergest Court History →

Built 1712 with extensions late 18th century the acres belonging to this mansion have long been known for its excellent fruit production Continue reading History of Putley Court →

Holme Lacy House is not far from Hereford, and is the largest manor house in Herefordshire. Continue reading Holme Lacy House History →

Set in the lovely countryside on the edge of Much Marcle, Homme house in its original state was built of stone, but all that remains now of that building is the tower.  A devastating fire resulted in the house being rebuilt in the early 17^th century, and it was further altered in the 19^th century.  Today it is mainly red brick. Continue reading Homme House History →

The current Hope End House (now a hotel) is in a glorious setting on the hillside above Ledbury. Continue reading Hope End House History →

How Caple Court started life as a modest farm house, and it was not until much later that it was extended and improved until it became the house we can see today. Interestingly, it was called How Caple Court even back in the 18th century when it was not very grand at all. Continue reading How Caple Court History →

Kentchurch Court dates back to the 14th century and has been the home of the Scudamore family for all of its long life, currently being cared for by the latest in the long line of Lucas-Scudamores. Continue reading Kentchurch Court History →

Kings Caple Court is an 18th century red brick mansion. Continue reading King’s Caple Court – History →

Kingswood
There was a small workhouse in Kington according to a report in 1771, but a later bigger workhouse was built in 1837. The building became a nursing home in 1962 and now, much altered, it is used as offices for a housing association. Continue reading Kington Union Workhouse →

A Norman castle built by the Kynardersley family, and which now has morphed into an Elizabethan manor. Continue reading Kinnersley Castle History →

This lovely manor house was once part of the Harley Estate and was used as a hunting lodge; It is also believed to have been lived in by the family of Florence Nightingale, and also Lord Byron who it was believed locally worked on “Childe Harold” here, although to date I can find no concrete proof of this and indeed a lady from “Byronmania” has contacted me saying that it is almost impossible for this to be true.  Lord Byron wrote the piece before he leased Kinsham Court.  She did concede that he could have written other poetry whilst at Kinsham.

Continue reading Kinsham Court History →

The Ledbury Union Workhouse was designed by George Wilkinson and built in 1836 in Union Lane and was opened the following year, (Union Lane is now renamed Orchard Road). Continue reading Ledbury Union Workhouse →

The Priory, Leominster Continue reading Leominster Union Workhouse →

Early buildings on the site were abandoned due to flooding, and the first Letton Court was built on higher ground.

Continue reading Letton Court History →

Longtown does still boast a castle – albeit in ruins and the keep of the castle is all that now remains virtually intact. Continue reading Longtown Castle →

This ancient manor house has to rank amongst the most delightful in Herefordshire. ( Not to be confused with Brockhampton Court near Fownhope) Continue reading Lower Brockhampton Manor House and Estate – History →

Lugwardine Court was originally known as Rockfield House, and was built in the latter half of the 18th century but was pretty much rebuilt in 1810 by the Rev. J. Freeman. It sat on a hill and has glorious views of the surrounding countryside. Continue reading Lugwardine Court – Previously Rockfield House →

Moccas Court was built in the early eighteenth century, and is a very fine, very large brick built mansion. Over the centuries, the Cornewall family retained ownership, but now it has gone the way of so many country houses that are so expensive to maintain and it is used variously as a wedding location; B & B, and party venue. Continue reading Moccas Court History →

This large mansion house has been renamed twice, being initially Moorfields, then Coddington House/Court and latterly Adhisthana, and was built in 1796 on a farming estate at Coddington near Ledbury by Thomas Holder who also formed a garden and park around the house. Continue reading Moorfields/Coddington Court History →

Moraston House building started in 1811 and was finally finished in 1815, with a large extension being added in the late 19th century. The grounds and gardens were, and still are, absolutely beautiful. Continue reading Moraston House History →

The original 17th century Moreton Court was occupied by John Keysall, a banker of London and high sheriff of Herefordshire in 1794, then from 1816 by William Chute Gwinnett who had served as High Sheriff of the county in 1823, and found fame at Moreton Court as an agriculturist and for his splendid herd of Hereford cattle. Continue reading Moreton Court History →

Has there ever been a more unusual and delightful railway station than the one originally at Moreton on Lugg? Continue reading Moreton on Lugg Railway Station →

Newport House was also known as Nieuport House, and stands just under a mile out of Almeley village in beautiful countryside; although there is no known architect it is assumed that it was a mason from either Hereford or Worcester. Continue reading Newport House History →

Orleton Manor was built in the 16th century, and underwent some alterations in the mid 1800s followed by restoration in the late 20th century. Continue reading Orleton Manor – History →

Pembridge Castle, originally called Newland Castle sits on the Welsh border and was thought by some to have been built by Matilda de Valery, wife of William Braose, in the late 12th century or early 13th. However, others say that the castle was built by Ralph de Pembridge in 1135. Whatever the truth, the Pembridge family were in residence in 1208 and it was probably at this time that the name changed from Newlands to Pembridge. Continue reading Pembridge Castle – History →

Pencraig Court is a fairly large house lying between Ross on Wye and Monmouth, with wonderful views over the River Wye, and beautiful grounds; although it is presently being used as a hotel, it hasn’t been altered so drastically that it could not be turned back into a private residence. Continue reading Pencraig Court →

Pengethley Manor was originally called Pengethley House, and is situated in the village of Sellack, close to Ross on Wye, in an absolutely glorious setting. Continue reading Pengethley Manor History →

Penrhos Court at Lyonshall is about a mile from Kington and dates from the 15^th century.  Additions to the original farmhouse were made in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, and it was much restored in later centuries.

There is a glorious banqueting hall with a minstrels gallery and crux beams. Continue reading Penrhos Court History →

Believed to have been built in 1821 at Weston under Penyard by John Partridge, a wealthy land owner (in fact he owned a great deal of the village), Penyard House is in the Italian style and  sits in 9 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland. Continue reading Penyard House – History →

This medieval manor house was built in the early 16th century, with alterations in the 17th century and renovations at a later date. Continue reading Preston Court History →

Leominster had at least two prisons in the past. Continue reading Prisons →

The original Pudleston Court was described in 1824 as an excellent house, fit for the residence of a genteel family, with double coach house and stables and much farmland and situated close to the turnpike road from Worcester to Leominster. Continue reading Pudleston Court History →

Alton Street

If this looks a little familiar, then remember that it was the same architect that built Ledbury and Hereford! (For general information about workhouse life, please see Hereford Union Workhouse) Continue reading Ross Union Workhouse →

The original Rotherwas House was built of timber, with the final house being built in 1730 by Charles Bodenham– it was generally described as one of the finest and oldest seats in the whole country, and had the most glorious Elizabethan, Jacobean and Queen Anne panelling which had been transferred from the former house. Continue reading Rotherwas House – History →

Sarnesfield Court was a lovely building, constructed over time by improving and enlarging earlier houses on the site;  it was demolished in 1955/77 and a new house was erected in its place using the lovely stable block.  The beautiful grounds and some of the walled garden still remain. Continue reading Sarnesfield Court History →

Seedly House Leintwardine was built in the 18th century, and although not the prettiest of buildings it was home to the Mason family for a great many years in the 19th century during which time they made improvements to the interior. Continue reading Seedly House – History →

Shobdon Court was built in the early 18th century when it was bought from Robert Chaplin by Sir James Bateman, and was similar in design to Clarendon House in London; it was hugely improved in the mid 1800s, and then further altered towards the end of the 19th century. Continue reading Shobdon Court History →

The Manor of Stoke Edith was owned by Sir Henry Lingen 1612-1662, a Royalist Cavalier. Continue reading Stoke Edith House History →

The Sufton estate in Mordiford was owned by the Hereford family since the 12th century, and this neat manor house was built during the 18th century by James Wyatt for James Hereford, who was renowned for his kindness and charity to both tenantry and the poor. Continue reading Sufton Court History →

Swanstone Court  at Dilwyn was built in the 14^th century, and was rebuilt and extended in the 18^th century;  much of the earlier features still survive. Continue reading Swanstone Court History →

The Grange dates back to the 15th century although not in its present form, and was owned by James Halfhide (or Hawfield) before being passed to Anthony Hawfield, Richard Hawfield and John Hawfield successively. More Hawfields followed, but in 1749 Richard Hardwicke owned the Grange and by 1802 the house was tenanted to Robert Drew who eventually bought it.
Robert Drew remained on the estate until 1818. Continue reading The Grange (Grange Farm) History →

The name Mynde may well be a variation on the Welsh word “mynydd” which refers to a mountain, or heathland – certainly the Long Mynde up the road in Shropshire is a large hill so this could be correct. Continue reading The Mynde/Mynde House/Mynde Park – History →

In the centre of Coddington is the Old Rectory which dates back to 1585 and is built of local stone. Continue reading The Old Rectory →

Thruxton Court was built in around the 16th century close to the church, and underwent restorations and improvements during the following three centuries. Continue reading Thruxton Court History →

Tyberton was also sometimes spelled Tiberton in the early years Continue reading Tyberton Court History →

Upper Court is a square built farm house which dates from the sixteenth century, and which was extended in the late seventeenth century. Continue reading Upper Court History →

Upper Hall sits out of sight on the hillside above Ledbury nestling beneath Dog Wood, and has origins which go back to the early thirteenth century, undergoing a few name changes over time, originally being known as Aula Superior, then Over Court, Over Hall and finally Upper Hall. Continue reading Upper Hall History →

The original 17th century house was rebuilt in 1854, reputedly by Edward Pugin, with some parts dating back to the 16th century retained. It was rebuilt again in the 19th century Continue reading Warham House →

The Workhouse at Weobley was built in 1837 at White Hill, and the building still exists but became the home of the Council Offices and has now been converted into flats. Continue reading Weobley Union Workhouse →

Wessington Court, Woolhope
The original house was 17th century, built before the Reformation, and much improved by the Gregory but it was demolished and rebuilt in the 19th century by Henry William Booth. Continue reading Wessington Court →

Whitbourne court  has its origins in the 18^th century when it was the manor house of the Bishop of Hereford, with additions over the following centuries, but there are some medieval features.   It was moated at one time, but some of it has now been filled in.

Continue reading Whitbourne Court History →

Built in around the 17th century on the site of an earlier mansion some 8 miles south west of Hereford, Whitfield House was enlarged in the late 1800s and much altered in the mid 1900s when a third floor was added; however later the additions were removed. Continue reading Whitfield House – History →

History of Wilton Castle

Set Close to the River Wye in Wilton village near Ross on Wye, Wilton Castle itself dates back to the 12th century, whilst the adjoining manor house was built in the 15th century and was altered throughout the Norman, Tudor, Elizabethan, Georgian and Victorian periods. Continue reading Wilton Castle History →

Wormsley Grange was built in around the mid 18th century, and is best known for being the birthplace of Richard Payne Knight, the landscape theorist, and his brother Thomas Andrew Knight the renowned horticulturist who planted his hugely successful experimental fruit orchards in the grounds. Continue reading Wormsley Grange History →

Yatton Court was built in around 1780 on the site of an existing half timbered building, and has been much extended and renovated over the centuries. Continue reading Yatton Court History →