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Churches you might like to visit
The Diocese of Hereford covers some of the most beautiful, rural and quintessentially English and Welsh areas of the country.
This page is for those wishing to visit a Church in the Diocese of Hereford. The Diocese has over 420 Churches, the majority of which are open for visitors and are Graded. All have their own unique character and gems of interest.
Hereford
Mansel Lacy
St Michael and All Angels Church, Mansel Lacy, Herefordshire HR4 7HG
(off A480 Hereford to Kington road)
A simple 12th century church with:
Nave. The only portion of the original church is the Norman North Wall in which a blocked doorway can still be seen from the outside. Near the Chancel on the south side there is gargoyle which may have supported the front beam of the former rood loft. The much restored roof is of the trussed rafter type of the 13th or 14th century.
Chancel. The North and South walls are of the 13th century but the East wall and its window are early 14th century. The window has the characteristic Herefordshire mullions carried up to the two centred head. There is a ball flower decoration on the external stonework of the window. Near the westernmost window of the South wall is a peep hole to the Altar. The Chancel arch is of the 13th century, the doorway now blocked but visible from outside the church. The 15th century roof is of the trussed rafter type having moulded soffet ribs and wall plates. The carved oak reredos behind the altar was erected in 1912.
South Aisle. The whole of the South aisle including the arched arcade of the nave is 13th century work and all the windows are of the same century. The reset early 12th century doorway has a plain lintel with two carved corbels and a gargoyle above on the external side and a carving of a grotesque face on the inside, these carvings are probably of Norman origins.
Tower. Of the early 14th century and had tree stages. There are four bells dating from the early 17th century to the early 18th century
Fittings etc. The stained glass in the chancel is modern but the East window in the South aisle contains a small glazed shield of the 14th century. The font in the South aisle is of Norman origins. The are two monuments in the Chancel with fine surroundings dating from the 17th century. The churchyard cross has a mediaeval base with a modern shaft.
Link to Mansel Lacy Visit Herefordshire Churches website.
What's on at a glance:
Local school: St Mary's CE Primary School, Credenhill
What to See/Do: Weobley Village is on the Black & White village trail and is just 6 miles to the North West of Mansel Lacy. Visible from the village are the Welsh Black Mountains and Hay Bluff and Sugar loaf near Abergavenny.
National Trust The Weir
Swainshill, Hereford, Herefordshire HR4 7QF
Telephone: 01981 590509
Where to Eat/Stay: There are B&Bs in neighbouring small villages and Weobley.
Little Dewchurch
St David's Church, Little Dewchurch, HR2 6PN
(8 miles of Ross-on-Wye and approx 5 miles south of Hereford)
Designed and built by architect and artist F Preedy 1869-71
(except for the 14th 
Century west tower)and features:
- Medieval tower housing a set of six bells
- Millennium window designed by local artist Nicky Hopwood
- 1903 organ
- Stained glass in the sanctuary, the reredos and the zinc panels either side, and the pulpit and font
Church website:St David's Church and What's on at a glance
Local school:Little Dewchurch Primary School
Local pub:The Plough
What to See/Do:
Flics in the Sticks Friday evenings 7.30pm Little Dewchurch Village Hall September-April
Mappa Mundi, Hereford Cathedral Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG Tel 01432 374200
Cathedral Tours, Garden Tours, Tower Tours and Evening Tours
Goodrich Castle
English Heritage link
What's on at Goodrich Castle
Where to Eat/Stay:
Cwm Craig Farm B&B Little Dewchurch, Hereford HR2 6PS Tel 01432 840250
The Cottage of Content Carey, Hereford HR2 6NG Tel 01432 840242
The Pilgrim Country House & Restaurant Ross Road, Much Birch, Hereford UK HR2 8HJ Contact Tel: 01981 540742
Holme Lacy House Hotel Holme Lacy, Herefordshire HR2 6LP Tel 01432 870870
Bodenham
St Michael and All Angels
A gracious church in a lovely orchard setting by the River Lugg. Predominantly 14th century and in 'Decorated' style - unusual in Herefordshire. 
The west tower begun late in the 13th century and continued into the 14th century (bell-openings with Y-tracery) and finished with a little pyramid roof set on top of a never completed recessed spire. There is an early 14th century monument - an Effigy of a Lady with a child standing by her side
A Village Cross can be found at the main crossing north of the church and a pretty black and white Moat House 150 yards north-west of church.
What to See/Do
Where to Eat/Stay:
Leintwardine
St Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene is built partly within, and partly on the Vallum of the Roman settlement of Bravonium. The foundations are Saxon and Norman but the main part of the church is 13th and 14th century.
The Lady Chapel was formerly the Mortimer Chapel. This was built by Roger de Mortimer in order for the masses to be said. These were offered for his and his wife's soul and also those of his mistress, Queen Isabella, and her husband Edward II.
The church contains fine early 15th century oak choir stalls, benches and misericords which came from Wigmore Abbey after the dissolution of the monastries. In the vestry there is also a large monument to General Sir Banestre Tarleton (1833), with a military still life.
This church has been awarded a Local Heritage Initiative grant for work on the God's Acre Project in the churchyard. This will fund surveys of the ecology and monuments, and pay for education work and maintenance in the churchyard.
www.wigmore-abbey.org.uk/Leintwardine.htm
The land to the east is dominated by the Clee Hills, to the north by Wenlock Edge, the Long Mynd and the Stiperstones and to the west by the Welsh hills and mountains. The Elan Valley reservoir complex (Birmingham water supply) is about 1 ½ hours away.
There are many Marcher Lords Castles to visit along the Welsh Marches, country houses, Roman remains and other places of interest such as the excellent Judges Lodgings in Presteigne (Tel.01544 260650), Stokesay Castle, Iron Age hill forts and stone circles.
There is a local coracle maker who has a workshop behind the Community Centre who builds coracles to order. He also gives coracle making instruction but this is somewhat random. Tel: 07854 651905.
What to See/Do:
- Walking. A booklet on local walks is available in the garage shop. There are the longer walks of Offa's Dyke, the Mortimer Way, the Shropshire Way, Glyndwr's Way and Edric's Way.
- Mountain Biking On special tracks in the woods above Hopton Castle off the B4385 Craven Arms - Clun road.Bikes available for hire for all ages.
- Horse Riding. There are many local bridle ways and horses are available. A lovely way to explore the countryside.
- Visit Ludlow nearby- one of England's most famous historic towns with its romantic castle. Tourist Information Centre Ludlow 01584 875053 North Herefordshire Find out more about the local area
Where to Eat/Stay:
- Fiddlers Elbow Fish and Chip shop. Corner of Rosemary Lane and Watling Street, 01547 540262
- The Bringewood. Restaurant in a stunning location with accommodation. 01568 770033
- The Jolly Frog specialises in fish. 01547 540298 This is just in Leintwardine, up the hill on the way towards Ludlow.
B&B:
- Caradoc. 01547 540238 A A late Georgian stone house situated in the lively village of Leintwardine
- Kinton Thatch. 01547 540611 Fax: 01547 540534 A 500 year old thatched and beamed home is surrounded by peaceful gardens and gently rolling hills - a deeply rural situation on the edge of an attractive village.
- Upper Buckton. 01547 540634 this elegant Georgian farmhouse looking south over the river towards the Wigmore Rolls
- Hopton House. 01547 530885 relaxed and friendly rural retreat with a touch of luxury - somewhere where you can take a deep breath and unwind following a day out exploring the Shropshire Hills - then Hopton House, a converted granary, is the B&B for you.
Abbeydore
Dore Abbey, St Mary
Take the B4347 off the A465
Founded by Cistercians 1147 but 17th century conservation and restoration ensured its survival. Situated in Herefordshire's glorious Golden Valley, it is framed by trees on the rising ground on all sides. There is a wonderful view of the site from the roadside lychgate. The present church is the eastern end of the former Abbey. When its nave was still standing, the church was three times as long and the main entrance was through the lychgate near to the present-day farm.
When used as an abbey, the church was surrounded by buildings, gardens and orchards, all grouped inside an inner court and an outer court. The boundary wall to the outer court, or precinct, still exists in the bank under the hedge by the roadside lychgate; it can also be traced across the field east of the church.
Dore Abbey has for example a Chapter House, a selection of Effigies, John Schudamore's restoration, John Abel's oak screen, The Monks 
Knight Stair, The Musicians' Gallery and Paintings.
What to See/Do:
Where to Eat/Stay:
- The Old Rectory, Ewyas Harold. A beautifully-proportioned Georgian country house set in extensive wooded grounds above the historic village of Ewyas Harold in Herefordshire's Golden Valley
More detailed visitor information concerning Herefordshire can be obtained from:
Herefordshire Churches Tourism Group andVisit Herefordshire
Shropshire
Ditton Priors
St John the Baptist
Ditton Priors is off the B4364 road between Bridgnorth and Ludlow
Previously dedicated to St Mary the Virgin, this church is a Grade I listed building. The Church is, mostly 13th Century although some is earlier. It has a shingles spire - shingles are flat tiles of wood, often oak, that are laid in overlapping rows - which is medieval in origin but rebuilt in 1831. It contains some very attractive stained glass and some Jacobean wooden seats, with pews dating from 1666. There is a fascinating engraving 
of the Ten Commandments with some Old Testament biblical figures. There are also a number of memorials and hatchments, which are diamond shaped tablet of stone or wood with the armorial bearings of the person remembered. The quarry, from which the stone came for the church , is nearby at the top of Abdon Burf although it stopped in 1936. Worth a walk as it takes you to the highest point in Shropshire with views worth the effort! You will also find the remains of an Iron Age Hillfort.
What to see and do
Ditton Priors Local History Centre The basic exhibition portrays the history of Ditton from pre-historic times to the mid twentieth century.
Much Wenlock Much Wenlock is a stunning medieval "black and white" English town, which inspired the modern Olympics. It 
also inspired "Wenlock" - the official mascot for the London 2012 Olympic Games! The ruins of Wenlock Priory founded in 680 AD are well worth a visit. An audio tour is available and very entertaining.
Bridgnorth Charles the First declared it, "the finest view in all my Kingdom", as he gazed, awestruck, from the top of this delightful town. and the view remains as stunning today as it was 350 years ago, with the High Town perching a hundred feet above the Low Town and the River Severn.
St Leonard's Church and the Parish Church of St Mary are both worth visiting.
Severn Valley Railway For all steam train lovers a chance to travel the good old way through stunning countryside
Walking in Shropshire- Routes are available for the surrounding area especially Brown Clee http://www.shropshirewalking.co.uk/keywordsearch.php
Where to eat and stay
Oak Farm Tea Rooms and Shop Rural Tea Rooms and Farm Shop with produce grown by the Oak Farm Day Service for adults with learning disabilities. The tea rooms and shop are run as a not-for-profit social business offering
opportunities for local growers and makers to showcase their products.Open all year round Wednesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Old Quarry Cottages Brockton Stone cottage with ensuite rooms or a self catering suite adjacent for self catering
Feathers Inn, Brockton 200 year old inn with Restaurant, wine club and accomodation
Peace Haven In the nearby village of Burwarton
Nearby Bridgnorth and Much Wenlock have a range of places to eat and stay
Pontesbury
St George
7 miles south-west of Shrewsbury
Pontesberie, now Pontesbury, is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Church is first named in 1254 and that original Church may have been dedicated to St. Bartholomew.
A Collegiate Church of St. George, Pontesbury was built around 1250 on the site of the old Saxon Minster, and from it a College of Priests served the very large area of Pontesbury Parish. Before 1825 the medieval Church consisted of a chancel, nave, north and south aisles and a northern tower. The tower and probably the nave were built in the 12th century. The chancel was a fine example of Norman work and was originally separate from the main body of the church. Of the two aisles, that on the north was probably constructed in the earlier 13th century, while the south aisle was added in the early 14th century. You now enter the church through the new West End room created in 2003, in the space left by 
the removal of two rows of pews.
Furthermore, the church's central position in the life of the village both for worship and for social purposes was recognized and it was decided to provide a facility which will enable the Church to continue to provide the care and service the community. Particular things to look for include the font, the Eubank window in the north aisle, the East window, the early 17th century oak panelling around the walls, re-using sides to the box pews and the aumbry, where consecrated bread and wine were kept for taking to the sick which dates from 1652. (pictured right)
What to see and do
Earls Hill, which is the site of an Iron Age hillfort built around 600 B.C. and making it a Scheduled Ancient Monument. It is also designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) for its wildlife value. It was Shropshire Wildlife Trust's first nature reserve in 1964. Earls Hill is PreCambrian in origin, being formed approximately 650 Million years ago as a result of volcanic activity along the Pontesford - Linley fault.
Hawks on Walks Take a walk in the stunning Shropshire countryside and become a falconer for the morning. Hawks on Walks offers a unique chance to handle and fly magnificent birds of prey.
Shrewsbury Visitor Information Centre Shrewsbury, the county town, is nearby
Where to stay
Lyth Hill House near Shrewbury
Caer-Urfa Hanwood
Pool Cottage B&B Minsterley
Eaton-under-Heywood
St Edith
West of Church Stretton under Wenlock Edge
The Church at Eaton-under-Heywood is dedicated to the 7th century St Edith. The church nestles under Wenlock Edge, west of the small town of Church Stretton. A small nave, which is just the western part of the present church, was built in the 12th century. The present long chancel was built c.1200; it is the same width as the nave and has three lancets in the east wall. About the same time the tower was built against the south side of the new chancel and a new north door was made in the nave.
Special features of the Church include a tub font probably Norman (cover c. 1872), a 14th-century wooden effigy in the chancel, a late medieval chest, and a superb example of a three-decker pulpit. The plate is 18th-century and later.. and the three bells date from 1615, 1622, and 1869. 
What to see and do
Much Wenlock, a Black & White town and home of the modern Olympics
Wenlock Priory on the site of St. Milburga's Abbey dating from around AD 680.
The Edge Adventure Activities Quad Biking / Trekking, Mountain Boarding / Grass boarding, 4x Mountain Biking, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Off Road Karting, Archery and Team Building Activities such as High Ropes, Zip Line and Orienteering
Places of interest to Walkers include:
Wenlock Edge, The Long Mynd & Carding Mill Valley
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-west_midlands/w-west_midlands-places/w-west_midlands-countryside.htm
Where to Eat/Stay
Youth Hostel at Longville in the Dale
Mynd House Church Stretton
Longmynd Hotel Church Stretton http://www.longmynd.co.uk/
Gaskell Arms Hotel & Resturant, Much Wenlock
Stokesay
The original church of St John the Baptist at Stokesay, near Craven Arms, was built around 1150 and was probably expanded once the castle site developed in the 13th century. As a result of the Civil War destruction Stokesay church is a rare example of a church extensively rebuilt during the Puritan period (1654) although some Norman features survive at lower levels, especially on the north side of the building.
Its most striking features are the two decker pulpit, box and canopied pews and a West Gallery. This has a staircase leading to it and at the north side space for the musicians. Originally the band would have included a bass viol, flute and clarinet, and was replaced about 1855 by a harmonium, and later still by the present 
organ. Today it is still the parish church which serves Craven Arms and there is regular worship at 10am on most Sundays
What to See/Do Nnearby
- Stokesay Castle right next door to the Church is considered to be the finest and best preserved fortified medieval manor house in England. Set in peaceful countryside near the Welsh border, the castle, timber-framed gatehouse and parish church form an unforgettably picturesque group right on the river bank.
- Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre Learn all about the formation of the hills you are among by taking a virtual balloon ride plus lots more
- Acton Scott Historic Working Farm Acton Scott Historic Working Farm is one of Britain's leading working farm museums. It specialises in practical demonstrations of historic farming using traditional skills and period horse-drawn machines.
- Wernlas Collection of Rare Poultry is an internationally acclaimed conservation centre specialises in breeding traditional and rare poultry. The Collection has a huge variety of large fowl and bantams with some really unusual specimens.
Where to Stay and Eat
- The Crown Country Inn at nearby Munslow The Crown is a Grade II listed building that has been transformed into a comfortable Inn and Restaurant with many original features still in place.
- Acton Scott Farm(B&B) 17th century farmhouse in peaceful village of Acton Scott, 1 mile from main A49 road.
- Brereton's Bed and Breakfast The working farm of 350 acres offers a warm Shropshire welcome.
- Castle View Large comfortable Victorian stone house close to Stokesay Castle and Shropshire Way
More detailed visitor information concerning Shropshire can be found at www.shropshiretourism.info
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