A potted history of the town

Ledbury is named after the River Leadon which runs through the parish. The Doomsday -  "Domesday" book records the name "Ledeberge", with a full entry. Ledbury derives its name from the river Leadon which intersects the parish. The Leadon ultimately joins the River Severn.

There are a number of schools of thought which pleasingly differ on Ledbury's founding years - some say a little earlier, some say a little later....

There is mention of a priest on the site of the parish church in 1085 - with the foundation of a "college" by Bishop Trevenant of Hereford in 1401

The Market House, erected in 1653 by the celebrated John Abel, styled the "Kings carpenter", is a dominating structure of brick and timber supported on 16 massive posts of either Spanish chestnut or English oak.  Legend has it that the supporting pillars were once part of the Spanish Armada, but it is more likely that they were obtained from the Malvern "Chase"

The Market House was originally constructed as a grain store, but now serves the purpose of a Council chamber.

The center of Ledbury was once very different than today's modern streets.  A visit to the Herotage Centre will show that small houses "burgage plots" and businesses existed. The arear around the Market House had the majority and most of these were butchers -"fleshmongers" and as the towns water supply ran through this area unfortunately disease and contamination was such that these buildings were removed by public subscription and the purity of Ledbury's water restored

Ledbury still retains little side alley ways and evidence that many people lived and flourished in the town. Many interesting shops and businesses work out of these beautiful locations

St Michaels and All Angels

Dominating Ledbury with its impressive spire and golden weathervane, St Michaels Church is the largest place of worship in Ledbury. The parish church welcomes all denominations to worship and take communion.

Recent improvements and an increase in visitor numbers make this parish church a super place to visit and reflect whilst looking in the calm serenity that prevails all around this beautiful church.

The church is unusual in that it has a separated belfry. An active cohort of bell ringers ensure the bells peal out at every occasion.

Poets and Poetesses

Ledbury is home to many great literary writers, John Masefield, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, links to the Dymock Poets and even closer links through the Ledbury Poetry Festival with the current Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion.

Oh may its warning never cease to bring

A useful lesson to our listening ear

That hoary time is ever on the wing

To teach the value of each passing year

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was only nine when she wrote this at the time of the completion of the clock tower at  Hope End in Wellington Heath)

Fo more history of Ledbury and its built environment please visit this link below

here

sjl 2003

For more information on Ledbury and it's history, please buy the informative  Ledbury Town Guide from the Tourist Information Centre, next to the Market House. tic-ledbury@herefordshire.gov.uk