Discover Pontrilas: history and landscape

When deciding to stay in Pontrilas, historic houses, railway history and the landscape of the Golden Valley are particularly important. Garden visits and cider complement these themes. This makes it easy to choose what to explore based on your specific interests.

Landscape and trails in the Golden Valley

Pontrilas lies at the southern end of the Golden Valley. The valley stretches between the river valleys of the Dore and the Monnow and the Black Mountains. Visitors to Pontrilas can discover scenic walking trails in the Golden Valley. A cider site is set in the countryside between the Golden Valley and the Black Mountains; public footpaths run directly opposite and alongside it. Trail and site details may change, so check them before visiting.

Historic houses and building phases

Pontrilas Court is a house dating from the mid to late 17th century. Alterations from the 18th century and the mid to late 19th century add to its building history. It is built of sandstone rubble with dressed stone surrounds and has a 20th-century tiled roof. The different dates reveal several building phases in the house's history.

Old House Farmhouse is a late medieval or early modern timber-framed house, later encased in stone. Built before 1700 as a dwelling, it retains its historic layout and character. A barn about 30 metres south-west of Court Farmhouse dates from the late 17th or early 18th century. Its timber-frame construction, sandstone rubble plinth and brick infill define its building style. Together with Pontrilas Court, the barn is protected for its group value.

Railway and pilgrimage history

The historic Golden Valley Railway was planned as an 18¾-mile single-track line from Pontrilas to Hay-on-Wye. Its first section, from Pontrilas to Dorstone, opened on 1 September 1881. Pontrilas station closed in 1964. This makes it possible to distinguish the planned network, the section that actually opened and the later closure in chronological order.

One possible historical interpretation traces a Roman cavalry patrol route through the Golden Valley between Dorstone and Pontrilas. The eastern section follows footpaths to Kenderchurch, near the Pontrilas sawmills. The Twin Valley Pilgrim Trail is a 45-mile, four-day route that reaches the meeting point of two rivers near Pontrilas. Its length and duration offer a clear framework if you would like to include this pilgrimage route in your travel plans.

Gardens, tours and cider

Kentchurch Estate in Pontrilas invites visitors to explore its gardens. Personal tours of the historic house are available year-round; advance booking is required. Remember to book ahead if you would like to take a tour.

The shop and bar at Ty Gwyn Cider sell draught and bottled cider, as well as perry. This adds garden visits and cider-related offerings to the architectural and landscape attractions. When looking for a hotel in Pontrilas, you can consider whether you would like to include the historic houses, the trails in the Golden Valley or these visitor attractions in your trip.

Discover more destinations: Whitchurch, Burley Gate, Letton, Bringsty, Whitestone, Eaton Bishop, Ross-On-Wye, Hereford.

For the main travel overview: County Of Herefordshire.