Weston under Penyard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weston under Penyard |
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 Weston under Penyard
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| Population | 1,007 (2011 Census) |
| Unitary authority | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Ross-on-Wye |
| Postcode district | HR9 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
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Weston under Penyard is a lovely small village in Herefordshire, England. About 1,000 people lived here in 2011. The village is located near the A40 road, just two miles east of Ross-on-Wye. A big hill called Penyard stands out nearby.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Old Buildings and Churches
The village has a church called St Lawrence. It has a tall tower built in the 1300s. This tower used to have a pointy top called a spire. But in 1750, lightning hit it and damaged the spire.
There was also a Wesleyan chapel (a type of church) built in the early 1800s. It was no longer used after 1964 and was later turned into a private home.
Roman History
Just a bit to the east, under today's farmland, was an old Roman settlement. It was called Ariconium. This name was later used for a historical Welsh kingdom in the area.
Viking Visitors
Herefordshire mostly avoided big battles with the Vikings. However, in 914, some Danes (Vikings) visited the area. They caused trouble in a place called Archenfield.
Two Viking leaders, Ohtor and Hroald, captured Bishop Cameleac. He was the Bishop of Llandaff at the time. Later, he was set free after a payment was made. The Viking leaders were killed in a battle in Weston-under-Penyard. This battle happened at a place now called "Kill Dane Field."
Penyard Castle
About two miles southwest of the village are the old remains of Penyard Castle. This castle was built in the 1300s. A house was built on the castle site in the 1600s. Later, a building called Penyard House was built. It was once a hotel.
Famous People
Weston under Penyard has been home to some interesting people:
- Richard Amerike (born around 1445) was a merchant from Bristol. Some people believe that the continent of America might have been named after him!
- Marc Bolan, a famous singer and guitarist, owned a house here in the 1970s.
- Richard Hammond, known from the TV show Top Gear, has a home in the village. It's called Bollitree Castle. It's a house built around 1700, with castle-like walls, towers, and a moat added later.
Getting Around
Old Train Station
Weston under Penyard used to have a train station called Weston under Penyard Halt. It was on the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway line. This line connected Ross-on-Wye and Gloucester.
The station opened in 1929. It was built to compete with local road transport. Today, nothing remains of the old station.
