Kinsham

Kinsham

A Kart racing track near Kinsham with Cole's Hill behind
Kinsham
Kinsham shown within Herefordshire
Population 71 [1]
OS grid reference SO358642
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
Country England
Sovereign state United 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 Parliament

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:

The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland[4]

Kinsham Court

The mansion of Kinsham Court is near the village. Lord Byron lived here 1812–13 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

All Saints 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] and is a Grade II* listed building.[8]

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.[9] There is a Kart racing track just west of the village.[10]

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Herefordshire County Council Bus" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) 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. ↑ "Name: CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS List entry Number: 1081486". Historic England. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  9. ↑ "Titley-Leintwardine Taster Walks". Herefordshire Trail. Archived from the original on 2008-06-07. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  10. ↑ "Kinsham Raceway Go Karting Track". UK Go-Karting. Retrieved 2010-08-22.
  11. ↑ "Chaz Davies Website". Retrieved 1 February 2008.

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