Welcome to Mortimer Country
Welcome to Mortimer Country in North Herefordshire – a gloriously rural area located close to Leominster and Ludlow at the heart of the Welsh Marches – the border county of Herefordshire where England meets Wales.
Explore the Teme and Lugg valleys and Mortimer Forest. There is plenty to keep you amused – from spectacular Castles, wonderful Walks on The Mortimer Trail through unspoilt countryside and Cycling on our quiet traffic free lanes. Join in our local events and celebrations.
Stay in historic villages set in scenic rural landscapes. Explore the rich Medieval and English Civil War heritage of Mortimer Country and eat in the many outstanding restaurants, tearooms and inns.
Castles to visit in Mortimer Country
Wigmore Castle – romantic ruin home of the Mortimer Family, now managed by English Heritage
Croft Castle – in Croft family for 1000 years, Iron age hill fort, walks around Fishpool valley, gardens & tearoom run by National Trust
Hopton Castle – notorious for a bloody siege in the Civil War
Brampton Bryan Castle – open once a year at the Scarecrow Festival in August, the website can be found here.
Richard’s Castle – a ruined Norman castle built before the Norman conquest in 1066
Ludlow Castle – grand royal Mortimer palace, controlling the whole of the Welsh Marches
There are lots more fortifications to discover on your walks; castles at Downton, Stapleton and Stanage, roman forts around Roman Leintwardine and iron age hill forts; home of Iron Age warrior Caradoc.
Mortimer History
Mortimer Country is named after the medieval Mortimer Marcher Lords, who were ruthless power brokers, making and breaking alliances with kings, and even seizing the English throne following the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461.
Top 5 Mortimer locations to visit:
- Wigmore Castle: From Wigmore and Ludlow Castle, the Mortimer’s controlled the lands of Wales and the English borders.
- Wigmore Church: was founded by the powerful Mortimer family.
- Leintwardine Church: Mortimer chapel 14th century church with Saxon and Norman foundations.
- Kingsland Church: Battle of Mortimer’s Cross site. Large Norman church with intriguing little 14th century Volka chapel.
- Pipe Aston: 12th century Norman gem with a perfectly preserved tympanum dating back from the Norma n influenced Hereford School of Sculpture.
