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Judge's Lodging

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About

Presteigne, (Llanandras in Welsh), was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles on the border of Wales and England. Surrounded by beautiful, unspoilt countryside, this thriving border town has many unique qualities that make it both a perfect destination and a base  to explore the Mid Wales Marches.

Presteigne High Street has a good range of independent shops, restaurants, pubs, hotels and services. Good accommodation is plentiful, both in the town and the surrounding area, and whether your choice is self-catering or serviced accommodation, high quality local and organic produce is available in both shops and restaurants.

Presteigne and Norton Dark Sky Community

Presteigne and Norton has became the very first community in Wales to be designated as an International Dark Sky Community by DarkSky International.

This achievement represents a unique community collaboration to pursue a dark sky ambition by tackling light pollution. Covering an outer area of 40 square kilometers and a combined population of 2,700, the historic Radnorshire towns of Presteigne and Norton are located in Powys, the largest and most rural county in Wales.

Visitors interested in the night sky should book a guided tour of the nearby Spaceguard Centre which is a working observatory, and the main source of information about near Earth objects in the UK.

Presteigne Town Trail

Presteigne has had a turbulent history. It was capture by the Mercians from the Welsh, besieged by Prince Llywelyn in 1262 and pillaged by Owain Glyndwr early in the 15th century.In Tudor times it had recovered and was granted a weekly market. From then until the mid-19th century it hosted five annual fairs. Its position on the mail coaching road from London, Cheltenham and Gloucester to Aberystwyth made it a town of considerable importance.

Presteigne eventually became the county town of Radnorshire. This status was lost in 1884 due to the rapid expansion of Llandrindod Wells. The town trail is intended to give the visitor a taste of this historical and architectural heritage which still exists largely intact, and to introduce the quiet character of this unspoilt and picturesque town.

Set alongside the river Lugg, at the corner of the three counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys, Presteigne is a short drive from Hay on Wye, Hereford, Ludlow and Shrewsbury and just over an hour and a half from Birmingham and the beautiful coastline of West Wales. It would be difficult to find a better place to stay for easy access to the rich variety of experiences necessary for a rewarding break. 

Presteigne began life as a small settlement clutched around St Andrews Church. It was registered in the Domesday Book under the Humet Manor. Despite some prosperity in the next hundred or so years, the plague and the Glyndwr rebellion consigned the inhabitants of Presteigne to hardship.

The Tudor period saw a resurgence in economic activity in the town, with the cloth trade providing the majority of townsfolk with their income. The early modern period brought stability to the town which grew to become the administrative centre of Radnorshire. From then until the mid-19th century Presteigne hosted five annual fairs. Its position on the mail coaching road from London, Cheltenham and Gloucester to Aberystwyth made it a town of considerable importance.

The Judge's Lodgings Visitor Centre

The Judge's Lodging's in the town centre is well worth a visit.  Formerly the Shire Hall, it opened in 1829 on the site of the former County Gaol. Designed by Edward Haycock, it was not only the judicial centre for the County, but also home to the Radnorshire Constabulary. In 1970 the last judge donned his wig here and it now houses an award-winning museum and Tourist Information Centre. The Presteigne Town Trail starts from Judge's Lodging's

Annual events include the Presteigne Music Festival.

Events

Saturday, 13th July 2024 - Saturday, 13th July 2024

Presteigne Carnival 13th July 2024Presteigne CarnivalPresteigne Carnival is a lively annual family & friends event held in the town on the second Saturday in July.
more info

Thursday, 22nd August 2024 - Monday, 26th August 2024

Presteigne Festival Orchestra with George Vass (conductor)Presteigne FestivalThe annual Presteigne Festival is Internationally renowned for its commissioning of new work, support of living composers and with a long tradition for the encouragement of talented young artists. The 2024 Presteigne Festival programme offers an opportunity to hear some of Benjamin Britten’s less…
more info

Facilities

Parking

  • Parking with charge - Pay & Display Car Parks: Hereford Street LD8 2AT - long stay - motorcars only; High Street LD8 2DP - long stay - motorcars only;

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Turn off the A44 at Walton onto the B4362; then B4355.

 

Public Transport Directions

Knighton railway station is 7 miles away. Bus Service Presteigne to Knighton is Service Route 41 (Monday - Saturday) |  https://www.sargeantsbros.com/timetables/

Llanandras | Presteigne

Type:Town

Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AD

What's Nearby

  1. Explore the fascinating world of the Victorian Judges, their servants and felonious…

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  2. Just outside the historic town of Presteigne, Nash Wood lies half in Wales and half in…

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  3. Friends of St Michael's raise funds for the ancient church on the Welsh border near…

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  4. Located near Presteigne on the Welsh border, The Rodd is a must-visit attraction for art…

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  1. A low-lying reserve with Knobley brook running through the wet grassland. Butterflies…

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  2. The Spaceguard Centre is a working observatory, and the main source of information
    about…

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  3. Hergest Croft Gardens near Kington on Wales / Hereford border has been created over 130…

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  4. The Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path…

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  5. Walk along a gorge to the Water-Break-its-Neck waterfall, a popular destination for…

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  6. Ancient trees of this age are one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the UK has a large…

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  7. Hay Castle sets the imagination soaring. Once a great medieval stronghold, the castle and…

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  8. The 13-acre Llandrindod Lake, an unexpected feature of the town with a magnificent dragon…

    15.8 miles away
  9. Radnorshire Museum

    The Radnorshire Museum, part of Powys County Council's Museum Service, can be found in…

    15.87 miles away
  10. The National Cycle Museum has approximately 250 machines on display within the 6,000…

    15.89 miles away
  11. A broadleaved woodland that sits alongside the River Ithon. Teeming with birds and…

    16.42 miles away
  12. Ceri Forest is a coniferous forest which sits astride the Kerry Ridgeway in the uplands…

    17.14 miles away
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