Discover the Black and White Villages of Herefordshire




Pembridge

Pembridge has a large number of wonderful timber framed buildings along its main street and on streets leading away from this.

Park in the car park (on the left past the garage) and walk around to enjoy the views.

A short stroll along the main street will reveal some fine almshouses, a great restaurant and the timber framed New Inn and ancient market square.  There are also a few shops and craft outlets including the Old Chapel Gallery. These and the tea-rooms are well worth a visit

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In the small market square the Market Hall still stands in front of the New Inn.

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Some steps lead from market square to St Mary’s Church with its remarkable detached bell tower.  This extraordinary structure, more pyramid or pagoda than a conventional tower is supported by massive 14th century timbers and houses the clock and a ring of five bells.

Pembridge is regarded by many as the Jewel in the Crown of north Herefordshire’s Black and White Village Trail. One of Britain’s finest Mediaeval Boroughs, nestling in the rolling north Herefordshire Countryside.

A short drive out of the village past the market square will bring you to Dunkertons Cider Mill.  Here, fine organic cider and perry is made traditionally, using old varietis of cider apples and perry pears from local orchards.  There is a shop on site.

Pembridge is special not just because of its pastoral and unspoiled setting but also because of its rich heritage. The Parish is home to a large number of listed buildings and Pembridge village is located within a Conservation Area – so designated in 1974.

The major landmarks and monuments are protected and conserved by the Pembridge Amenity Trust, a charity established to oversee the preservation of the Market Hall, the Bell Tower, Millennium Meadow and, more recently, to maintain the public rest room facilities in the visitor’s car park.

Pembridge has clearly seen many changes since its inception. The village pre-dates the Domesday book. A community has existed at this place for over 1000 years.

At one point in its history the village exceeded Leominster in size and was an important centre of commerce during the medieval period. Following the Industrial Revolution, Pembridge appeared to “fall off the map” and economic activity declined.

The village was left alone to continue its rural traditions in relative isolation and, as a consequence, much of its medieval character remained unspoiled.

A short distance further along brings you to Luntley Dovecote, a fine black and white building in itself, opposite the beautiful Luntley Court.

Return to Pembridge and turn right from the Market Place onto the main road the A44.  After c. 2 miles turn left at a junction signed Eardisland

Buy a handy Map of the Trail Here….