St. Michael and All Angels is one of the oldest churches in Herefordshire, with the beautiful nave dating to around 1100.
Inside, the church have achieved that rare feat, a successful and sympathetic modernisation – retaining the old pews and ornamentation, but creating a handsome meeting place and facilities at the rear. Beyond the churchyard you can see the ruins of Goodrich Castle, which saw a major siege during the English Civil War (ask Esther…).
If you are an aficionado of church architecture through the centuries, St.Michael’s has some lovely 13th-century carvings. It also boasts the arms of the Stratford Family above the rood screen.
Wythall Estate is a unique sixteenth-century manor house, still owned by the Stratford family who built it. We’re very grateful to Jaime, Angus, Anthea and Frank for hosting us!
Set in the quiet beauty of Hereford hills, the house is surrounded by its own small vineyard, ancient orchards, and natural spring. It’s a magical place of tangled woods, lovingly tended gardens and tranquil water. Whether in luxurious warm sun or glistening mists, there’s no place quite like it.
In H. T. Timmins’ rather marvellous illustrated traveller’s guide of 1892 Nooks and Corners of Herefordshire, it is described as an ‘unusually fine example of a timber mansion’ that ‘thanks to the interest shown by the family for their ancestral home’ remains well preserved, and stocked with many ‘curious and interesting objects’ as well as remarking on its unusual oak staircase and stained glass windows. The unique garden at the rear is laid out in the shape of an ‘H’ – which Timmins suggests may have been in honour of King Henry VI, during whose reign the manor was constructed.
Today the manor estate is building a name for itself as a vineyard of rare quality innovation. You’ll be able to take a tour of the grounds; look out for plenty of wildlife – rabbits, pheasants, wrens, squirrels and, if you’re lucky, badgers, boar, deer and sheep!
We’ll be serving up the delicious wine from the vineyard at the wedding, so look forward to toasting you with some of the lowest food-miles possible.
One recent travel writer was very taken with it!
Rose & van Raamsdonk 