Leominster – a place worth browsing
Leominster lies around halfway between the city of Hereford and the town of Ludlow and is just a dozen miles from the Welsh border. The town prides itself in catering for its many visitors, so whether you come to shop or to soak up the history and scenery round about, Leominster Accommodation will have something to suit you.
For more information on Leominster accommodation and so much more, please visit our resource box below.
If ambling along narrow streets and browsing around antique shops for a bargain is your thing then you're in luck, as the town is well stocked with both. Friday is market day in Leominster and Corn Square €" in the centre of town €" is where it all happens, with a lively gathering around a variety of stalls.
Leominster has an abundance of interesting buildings. The place was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and there are structures dating from the medieval period to Tudor timber-framed and later.
The imposing Leominster Priory Church, one of the oldest such churches in the UK, dates to the 11th century though a Benedictine priory is believed to have been founded here as a nunnery in the 9th century. What you'll find are three naves and an extremely impressive perpendicular window measuring some forty-five feet. The carvings over the west doorway are also remarkable and preserved inside is a ducking stool said to be the last one used in England!
One of Leominster's finest buildings is the Grange. John Abel, the King's Carpenter, built it in the mid 17th century. But amazingly, it wasn't always in its present position. At one time, it was at the junction of Broad Street and High Street when the upper storey was the old town hall and magistrates' court and the lower storey was a butter and poultry market. John Arkwright, who had the whole thing dismantled and re-erected to use as a dwelling, moved it in the 1850s.
Another of the town's buildings that underwent changes is the Grade II listed Lion Ballroom. It was once the Lion Hotel and coaching inn of note. Apparently, the mail coaches delivered items from here to Bristol at a quicker rate than they arrive nowadays! The interior is now a large ballroom in the Regency style, which has been carefully restored.
A little further afield but still close to Leominster is Berrington Hall. This lovely neo-classical mansion has garden landscapes designed by Capability Brown and there are tours of the orchards, garden and parklands. Also on the tour you get to see what life was like for the servants €below stairs' and visit a fine display of costumes.
Burton Court is also reasonably close to Leominster and offers guided tours, though there is a minimum number of guests required. Along with all the usual things of interest in the house and garden, there's a chance to learn more about the large archaeological dig here, where it's believed there are remains of a Norman castle. The tour also takes in all the main rooms on the ground floor and you'll learn about the court's 900-year history.
Come and take a look round Leominster and see why hundreds of visitors return time and time again. And complete your trip by booking the perfect place to stay with Leominster Accommodation.
For more information on Leominster accommodation and so much more, please visit our resource box below.
If ambling along narrow streets and browsing around antique shops for a bargain is your thing then you're in luck, as the town is well stocked with both. Friday is market day in Leominster and Corn Square €" in the centre of town €" is where it all happens, with a lively gathering around a variety of stalls.
Leominster has an abundance of interesting buildings. The place was mentioned in the Doomsday Book and there are structures dating from the medieval period to Tudor timber-framed and later.
The imposing Leominster Priory Church, one of the oldest such churches in the UK, dates to the 11th century though a Benedictine priory is believed to have been founded here as a nunnery in the 9th century. What you'll find are three naves and an extremely impressive perpendicular window measuring some forty-five feet. The carvings over the west doorway are also remarkable and preserved inside is a ducking stool said to be the last one used in England!
One of Leominster's finest buildings is the Grange. John Abel, the King's Carpenter, built it in the mid 17th century. But amazingly, it wasn't always in its present position. At one time, it was at the junction of Broad Street and High Street when the upper storey was the old town hall and magistrates' court and the lower storey was a butter and poultry market. John Arkwright, who had the whole thing dismantled and re-erected to use as a dwelling, moved it in the 1850s.
Another of the town's buildings that underwent changes is the Grade II listed Lion Ballroom. It was once the Lion Hotel and coaching inn of note. Apparently, the mail coaches delivered items from here to Bristol at a quicker rate than they arrive nowadays! The interior is now a large ballroom in the Regency style, which has been carefully restored.
A little further afield but still close to Leominster is Berrington Hall. This lovely neo-classical mansion has garden landscapes designed by Capability Brown and there are tours of the orchards, garden and parklands. Also on the tour you get to see what life was like for the servants €below stairs' and visit a fine display of costumes.
Burton Court is also reasonably close to Leominster and offers guided tours, though there is a minimum number of guests required. Along with all the usual things of interest in the house and garden, there's a chance to learn more about the large archaeological dig here, where it's believed there are remains of a Norman castle. The tour also takes in all the main rooms on the ground floor and you'll learn about the court's 900-year history.
Come and take a look round Leominster and see why hundreds of visitors return time and time again. And complete your trip by booking the perfect place to stay with Leominster Accommodation.