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Leominster
Antiques • Ryelands • History
Markets • gardens • Fairs
Leominster (pronounced ‘Lemnster’), is the largest among Herefordshire’s five market
towns. Rooted in the Saxon era the town is accented by its picturesque black and white
half-timbered buildings, interesting antique houses, and vibrant independent shops.
Out and About History and Heritage
Year-round, independent shops and the In the town Grange Court with its beautiful
weekly market keep things fresh and knot garden, now a community, enterprise
individual. Come autumn and harvest, and heritage hub, stands as the pinnacle of
foodies will enjoy Leominster Food Fayre, King’s carpenter John Abel’s craftsmanship,
and the Christmas Victorian Festival adds and adorns the large green just off the
a seasonal, costumed vibe to the town. town centre.
Leominster’s outlying villages also host a Delve into the town’s rich past at the
collection of splendid gardens, ranging Leominster Museum, tracing its history
from formal to more informal, and each from Roman times and the textile heritage
possessing its own unique beauty. throughout the Middle Ages, highlighting its
role as the ancestral home to Ryeland Sheep,
Berrington Hall exudes Georgian grandeur renowned for their luxurious fleece. Nearby,
within Capability Brown’s final landscape Leominster Priory preserves ancient relics,
and gardens, including a glorious boating including the last surviving ducking stool.
lake. Beautiful Hampton Gardens, in
the grounds of its castle (accessible for Get a real insight into Leominster on a
weddings only), presents fragrant rose gentle walking tour with the new group of
terraces, sunken water features, a maze, Tour Guides. Buy tickets from the Tourist
kitchen garden and tranquil riverside Information Centre.
walks. Also noteworthy are Stockton Bury Photos Berrington Hall boating lake | Grange Court
Gardens, overseen by RHS judge, garden and knot garden | Hampton Gardens | Westonbury Mill
writer, and author Tasmin Westhorpe, Water Gardens | Leominster Town Centre
and Westonbury Mill Water Gardens in
Pembridge, which has the largest water- Tourist Information Centre
powered cuckoo clock in England.
11 Corn Square, HR6 8YP
01568 616460 leominstertourism.com
14 The ULTIMATE Guide to Herefordshire, The Wye Valley & The Marches

