Lugwardine brings together church architecture from several centuries, local remembrance and its setting alongside the River Lugg. When choosing where to stay, it helps to distinguish between these highlights: are you primarily interested in historic architecture, the history of remembrance, or the valley and its activities? The buildings, designated monuments and river landscape each offer a distinct focus.
Church architecture and different building phases
The Church of St Peter is a parish church with fabric dating from the 13th and late 14th centuries. A 12th-century window also survives. The late 14th-century west tower has a battlemented parapet and stepped diagonal buttresses.
The different dates give the church a layered character: the window points to the 12th century, while the fabric reflects two later building phases and the west tower dates from the late 14th century. Anyone interested in architecture will find more than a single date here on which to base an understanding of the building’s history.
Remembrance and architectural details
The Lugwardine War Memorial dates from 1919 and commemorates 27 members of the local community who died in the First World War. Additions commemorating the Second World War were made later. The memorial is listed as a Grade II building. Its date, the act of remembrance and the later additions combine to form a history with several points of reference in time.
Lugwardine Chapel was built in the last quarter of the 19th century. Its historic interior features include a Godwin tiled floor with approximately 5,000 encaustic tiles. Its focus is therefore on a much later period than the Church of St Peter; at the same time, the floor draws attention to a distinctive feature of its interior.
Historic village centre and settlement pattern
The Lugwardine Conservation Area was designated in 1988 around the historic village centre, north and south of the A438. Lugwardine has a mix of older buildings, including timber-framed and listed buildings, as well as later bungalows and houses. The village’s character therefore cannot be reduced to a single building period.
Hemhill hillfort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, lies north of Lugwardine. Together, the designated historic area, the variety of buildings and the hillfort offer several ways to understand the place: its historic village centre, the development of its settlement pattern and a distinct monument north of the village.
The valley and practical planning
Lugwardine is situated in the River Lugg valley. The Lugg Meadows at Lugwardine Bridge are designated a SSSI. Alongside the churches and places of remembrance, the valley and its designated landscape are therefore among the highlights you can use to guide your choice of location.
At Lugwardine Bridge, fishing is available on the right bank both upstream and downstream of the bridge. Bank and direction of travel are practical considerations when planning a fishing trip; as fishing conditions can change, check the latest information beforehand.
Road characteristics may also be relevant to your plans: most of Lumber Lane in Lugwardine is a practically single-track country road with passing places. If you include this road in your journey, take its character into account. Road conditions can change, so it is sensible to check before setting out.
Considering Lugwardine as a place to stay
Ask yourself which focus you want your stay to revolve around. This can help you decide whether Lugwardine is a good base for your plans before you search for hotels.
Discover more destinations: Middleton on the Hill, Eaton Bishop, Leintwardine, Whitestone, Madley, Burghill, Much Cowarne, Pontrilas
For the main travel overview: County Of Herefordshire.
