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"Quietest land under the sun’ Housman."
Where will you find us? In north western
Herefordshire, close to the Shropshire Hills AONB and the Radnor Hills of the
Welsh Marches. Deeply rural with breathtaking countryside, of rolling hills,
ancient woods, forests and water meadows. The rivers, Teme (a SSSI), Clun and
Lugg are prominent features of the landscape. Historically a land of political
history and intrigue, dominated by the rich estates, offices of power and profit
bestowed upon the Mortimer Marcher Lords of Wigmore, Harleys of Brampton Bryan
and Crofts of Croft Castle.
Some of the place names of our picturesque villages and hamlets are lost in the mist of time. Many were thriving medieval townships with bustling markets, minstrels, traders and medieval malarkey. Such a place was Wigmore, to be found nestling under the imposing castle and church.
Wigmore Basin, once a glacial lake, can be seen from Wigmore Castle. To the left of the basin Wigmore Abbey can be glimpsed and the spire of Downton church.
Surrounding the basin are the hamlets of Leinthall Starkes, Elton, Pipe Aston and Burrington, all easily explored on bike. The hills in the far distance are Mortimer Forest and Bringewood Chase: beyond is Ludlow.
Marcher Country
Rising behind the villages of Lingen, Aymestrey and Adforton can be found ancient woods and meadows, green lanes and the tiny hamlets with evocative sounding names – Lye, Deerfold, Cruckmullen and Cross of the Tree. From Lower Willey and Combe the hills rise into Wales and Offa’s Dyke.
When the days lengthen a profusion of wood anemones, bluebells and ramsons (wild garlic) are to be found on woodland walks; pied flycatcher, redstart, and cuckoo return. As in medieval times, the woods and forests are the habitat of elusive roe deer. Butterflies and moths can be found in profusion along byways and woodland glades and overhead red kite.
Brampton Bryan, a small village with black and white cottages set around the village green. An ancient yew hedge surrounds the hall and ruined castle. A little upstream and across the River Teme, set in the Shropshire Hills AONB is Bucknell, with a railway halt for the Heart of Wales line.
Something new to find
and explore every season of the year
Leintwardine, set on the confluence of the rivers Teme and Clun and once a Roman trading post, still bustles with the life of a vibrant rural community. Leintwardine offers a choice of places to eat and the taste of real ales, ciders and perries.
Sitting very quietly beside one of the rivers it is not unusual to see dipper, kingfisher, sand martins, goosander and little egret. At the right time of the day and year you might be lucky to spot otters. Walking the Teme upstream to Walford and Buckton and the Clun to Clungunford you may possibly see osprey and marsh harrier, following the rivers on their spring and autumn migratory route.
After crossing the river Lugg at Aymestrey (surrounded by limestone double scarp features rich in fossils), Shobdon, with its ‘Strawberry Hill’ Gothick church, set in stunning parkland and Kingsland are both thriving villages. Croft Castle and Croft Ambrey Iron Age Fort, parkland and estate has glorious views into Wales, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
From Croft the Mortimer Trail leads east to Richards Castle and Ludlow. From early summer to late autumn, festivals, village fetes and celebratory events flourish - this is where you will find the heart of Mortimer Country.
Where will you find us? In north western
Herefordshire, close to the Shropshire Hills AONB and the Radnor Hills of the
Welsh Marches. Deeply rural with breathtaking countryside, of rolling hills,
ancient woods, forests and water meadows. The rivers, Teme (a SSSI), Clun and
Lugg are prominent features of the landscape. Historically a land of political
history and intrigue, dominated by the rich estates, offices of power and profit
bestowed upon the Mortimer Marcher Lords of Wigmore, Harleys of Brampton Bryan
and Crofts of Croft Castle.Some of the place names of our picturesque villages and hamlets are lost in the mist of time. Many were thriving medieval townships with bustling markets, minstrels, traders and medieval malarkey. Such a place was Wigmore, to be found nestling under the imposing castle and church.
Wigmore Basin, once a glacial lake, can be seen from Wigmore Castle. To the left of the basin Wigmore Abbey can be glimpsed and the spire of Downton church.
Surrounding the basin are the hamlets of Leinthall Starkes, Elton, Pipe Aston and Burrington, all easily explored on bike. The hills in the far distance are Mortimer Forest and Bringewood Chase: beyond is Ludlow.
Marcher CountryRising behind the villages of Lingen, Aymestrey and Adforton can be found ancient woods and meadows, green lanes and the tiny hamlets with evocative sounding names – Lye, Deerfold, Cruckmullen and Cross of the Tree. From Lower Willey and Combe the hills rise into Wales and Offa’s Dyke.
When the days lengthen a profusion of wood anemones, bluebells and ramsons (wild garlic) are to be found on woodland walks; pied flycatcher, redstart, and cuckoo return. As in medieval times, the woods and forests are the habitat of elusive roe deer. Butterflies and moths can be found in profusion along byways and woodland glades and overhead red kite.
Brampton Bryan, a small village with black and white cottages set around the village green. An ancient yew hedge surrounds the hall and ruined castle. A little upstream and across the River Teme, set in the Shropshire Hills AONB is Bucknell, with a railway halt for the Heart of Wales line.
Something new to find
and explore every season of the yearLeintwardine, set on the confluence of the rivers Teme and Clun and once a Roman trading post, still bustles with the life of a vibrant rural community. Leintwardine offers a choice of places to eat and the taste of real ales, ciders and perries.
Sitting very quietly beside one of the rivers it is not unusual to see dipper, kingfisher, sand martins, goosander and little egret. At the right time of the day and year you might be lucky to spot otters. Walking the Teme upstream to Walford and Buckton and the Clun to Clungunford you may possibly see osprey and marsh harrier, following the rivers on their spring and autumn migratory route.
After crossing the river Lugg at Aymestrey (surrounded by limestone double scarp features rich in fossils), Shobdon, with its ‘Strawberry Hill’ Gothick church, set in stunning parkland and Kingsland are both thriving villages. Croft Castle and Croft Ambrey Iron Age Fort, parkland and estate has glorious views into Wales, Shropshire and Herefordshire.
From Croft the Mortimer Trail leads east to Richards Castle and Ludlow. From early summer to late autumn, festivals, village fetes and celebratory events flourish - this is where you will find the heart of Mortimer Country.
