Following the Dissolution of Monasteries by King Henry VIII, much of the abbey fell into ruin, but the surviving church was restored in the 17th century by John Scudamore. The Scudamore family, also central to Herefordshire’s cider-apple history, transformed it into the parish church still used today for worship and community events.


A LEGENDARY LANDSCAPE FOR WALKING


The Golden Valley is best experienced on foot. A network of routes crosses farmland, ancient trackways and wooded slopes, linking villages with panoramic viewpoints. The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way connects the valley with Hereford and the Wye Valley, echoing journeys of medieval travellers.


Older landmarks appear along the paths. Near Dorstone stands Arthur’s Stone, a Neolithic chamber tomb over 5,000 years old. Perched on a ridge, legend claims this was where King Arthur slew a giant whose imprints remain on the stones.


In the end, the Golden Valley’s richness lies not in gold but in the quiet harmony of landscape, history and village life. It is a valley that waits to be discovered.


Beyond the hedgerows lie genuine artisan destinations: Get a real taste of the valley with Rowlestone Farm’s delicious dairy fresh ice cream, traditional craft cider makers Gwatkin Cider and Ty Gwyn Cider with their cider-shack cabins, and Black Mountain Distillery with its rustic barns and cider-mash spirits. Stay beneath the stars at Kaya’s hybrid yurt-cabins, or try ancient metalworking at Oldfield Forge, where you can craft a personal sword, knife or ring.


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WRITERS, FILM AND BORDERLAND INSPIRATION


The valley has long inspired writers and storytellers. Victorian diarist Francis Kilvert recorded its rural customs and landscapes. The biographical 1993 film Shadowlands, emotionally charting author C. S. Lewis’s married life, was authentically filmed here and was part of his visiting homeland, and Lewis is also said to have drawn inspiration for Aslan’s sacrificial altar from Arthur’s Stone in his Chronicles of Narnia tomes.


Words by Heidi Chamberlain-Jones of www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk


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LOCAL PLACES THE GOLDEN VALLEY


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