Kinsham

Kinsham

A Kart racing track near Kinsham with Cole's Hill behind
Kinsham
 Kinsham shown within Herefordshire
Population 71 [1]
OS grid referenceSO358642
Unitary authorityHerefordshire
Ceremonial countyHerefordshire
RegionWest Midlands
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post town PRESTEIGNE
Postcode district LD8
Dialling code 01544
Police West Mercia
Fire Hereford and Worcester
Ambulance West Midlands
EU Parliament West Midlands
UK ParliamentNorth Herefordshire
List of places
UK
England
Herefordshire

Coordinates: 52°16′22″N 2°56′28″W / 52.2729°N 2.9411°W

The village of Kinsham lies in the wooded hills of Herefordshire, England in the Marches near to the border with Wales and near the town of Presteigne. Surrounding villages include Stapleton and Lingen. Kinsham lies on the River Lugg. The 2001 census records that 71 people lived in the parish of Kinsham, of whom 32 were male and 39 female.

History

There is evidence of human occupation as far back as the Bronze Age at a round barrow (SO34006400)[2]

On either 2nd or 3 February 1461 the Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought downstream from Kinsham. In the aftermath of the battle Lancastrian soldiers retreated up the river Lugg and were trapped where the river gorge narrows at Kinsham. Local folklore states the river ran red with the blood of the soldiers when they were killed.[3]

In 1868 the village was described thus:

“ UPPER KINSHAM, a parish in the hundred of Wigmore, county Hereford, 3 miles N.E. of Presteigne, its post town, 7 from Kington, and 12 from Leominster. It is situated on the river Lug, and on the turnpike road from Leintwardine to Presteigne. The land is partly in hops. The soil is very inferior in quality. The living is a donative curacy in the diocese of Hereford, value £15. The church is a modern structure with a belfry. The chancel contains escutcheons of the Oxford and Mortimer families. Kinsham Court is partly in ruins. Kinsham Dingle is a favourite resort for pleasure seekers on account of its scenery.

LOWER KINSHAM, a township in the parish of Presteigne, county Hereford, 2 miles E. of Presteigne. It is a small agricultural place.

 ”

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland[4]

Kinsham Court

The mansion of Kinsham Court is near the village. Byron lived here 1812-1813 and here wrote the first two cantos of Childe Harold. Florence Nightingale spent part of her childhood at the house. Edwardian owner, Sir John Stanhope Arkwright (of the famous textiles family), wrote the hymn O Valiant Hearts.[5]
The mansion lies in a landscape park.[6] Picture of Lower Court, Kinsham by John Piper

Church

The village church is next to Kinsham Court and is still regularly used. It is of 14th-century origin with evidence of 18th-century woodwork. It is an Anglican church dedicated to All Saints.[7] The parish is now part of the benefice of Presteigne with Discoed, Kinsham, Lingen & Knill, with the Priest resident in Presteigne.

Recreation

The Herefordshire Trail long distance footpath crosses the River Lugg in the village and then climbs Cole's Hill.[8] There is a Kart racing track just west of the village.[9]

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Herefordshire County Council Bus". Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 1 February 2008.
  2. ↑ Historic Herefordshire On-Line: Sites and Monuments Record database
  3. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/content/articles/2008/06/09/mortimer_battle.shtml
  4. ↑ GENUKI: Upper Kinsham, Herefordshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868
  5. ↑ http://www.thisisthemidlands.co.uk/midlands/features/MIDLANDS_FEATURES_HTSOCB22.html
  6. ↑ Historic Herefordshire On-Line: Sites and Monuments Record database
  7. ↑ West Gallery Churches: Index for Herefordshire
  8. ↑ "Titley-Leintwardine Taster Walks". Herefordshire Trail. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  9. ↑ "Kinsham Raceway Go Karting Track". UK Go-Karting. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  10. ↑ "Chaz Davies Website". Retrieved 1 February 2008.

External links

Media related to Kinsham at Wikimedia Commons