Due north of Hereford, Leominster is the county’s second largest community and distils the borderlands feel of the Marches. The town dates from the 7th Century and its first recorded name is Llanielli, a Welsh name meaning “church of the streams”. It was later renamed by the Saxons, possibly after Leofric, Earl of Hereford and husband of Godiva, and appears in the Doomsday Book as Leofministre.
The area has been the site of many famous battles: it was taken by the Welsh and then the Danes before being taken by Harold Godwinson for Edward the Confessor. In 1461, the decisive battle of the Wars of the Roses, the battle of Mortimer’s Cross, took place a few miles east of the town.
Despite its turbulent past, Leominster prospered from the wool trade, owing to the superior quality of wool from its local Ryeland sheep. The fleeces came to be known as Leominster Ore meaning Leominster Gold. The city of Hereford became so worried by this competition that it caused a law to be passed banning Leominster’s Saturday market. Somehow the locals fought back and won – every Friday Leominster still hosts a thriving market which is well worth experiencing if you want to get a flavour of country life in Herefordshire.
Leominster’s history can be seen throughout the town, retaining its medieval and Tudor characteristics, narrow streets and timber framing. The town offers a good selection of speciality shops (excelling in antiques), restaurants and cafes, accommodation and historic buildings.
LEOMINSTER TOWN MAP and TOWN WALK
Market Day: General market on Friday and farmers’ market on the 2nd Saturday in each month – 9am to 1pm both in Corn Square
Early closing: Thursday
Shopmobility: 6 Morris Mews, Central Car Park : 01568 616755
Coaches: Drop-off parking at Broad Street Car Park. Drop-off also available at the Bus Station, by prior arrangement.
