HOPE UNDER DINMORE

The first area I have chosen to cover for Herefordshire History is Hope Under Dinmore. This is not only due to the fact that I was born in the locality, although only living there for 6 years, but it was the home to my grandparents Wilfred and Mary Archer for over 40 years and Mary's ancestors lived in this area for many generations.
Hope Under Dinmore is set in glorious countryside between the city of Hereford and the market town of Leominster, alongside the A49 trunk road. Although a small village in numbers, it covers a large area.
Buskwood Farm was the home to 3 generations of Atkins ancestors, while Wilfred and Mary Archer lived there from early 1920's, Mary's parents and grandparents had also lived there. The farm consists of a number of small holdings and is situated on the edge of Dinmore Hill, alongside Queenswood Country Park.
Dinmore Hill is a dominating landmark of the area and on the top of it stands Queenswood Country Park. The park covers 170 acres, of which 110 acres is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, being of semi-natural ancient woodland and supporting a wide range of wildlife. 60 Acres are managed as an award winning arboretum with over 800 specimen tress and shrubs from across the globe. The park is open to the public all year around and from the view point can be seen panoramic views from the Malvern Hills in the east to the Black Mountains in the west.
Hampton Court Estate is also a main attraction in the village, at one time believed to cover 60,000 acres. The castle and grounds can be found off the A417, near the junction with the A49 , and date back to the 15th century. It was originally granted by Henry IV to Sir Rowland Lenthall, but probably best known as the home of the prominent Conningsby family, who lived there from 1510 until 1912.
Although the castle is now closed to the public, the gardens are a major attraction.
Original Victorian garden walls enclose stunning new flower gardens divided by canals, island pavilions and pleached avenues. The kitchen garden is an ornamental garden of fruit and vegetables. It is managed organically, supplying produce to the Orangery Restaurant for its seasonal menu.
There is a maze of a thousand yews with a gothic tower at its centre. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the gardens or descend underground to a tunnel that leads to a waterfall in the sunken garden. Beautiful herbaceous borders stretch out from a one hundred and fifty year old wisteria tunnel that leads to vast lawns and ancient trees beside the castle. Beyond the lawns are riverside and woodland walks.
St. Mary's church stands alongside the A49 at the north side of dinmore hill, while on the south side stands Dinmore Manor, a beautiful old manor house and gardens. Unfortunately Dinmore Manor is no longer open to the public.