Pontrilas combines a rich architectural history with its location at the southern end of the Golden Valley. Historic houses and a barn showcase different building styles; the history of the Golden Valley Railway spans plans for a railway network through to the station’s closure. There are also garden visits and house tours at Kentchurch Estate, cider at the shop and bar, and trails in the Golden Valley. When planning your trip, two distinctions are particularly important: the planned railway line and the section that actually opened are not the same, and advance booking is required for house tours at Kentchurch Estate.

Houses and building phases

Pontrilas Court is a house dating from the mid to late 17th century; alterations from the 18th century and from the mid to late 19th century were added later. It is built of sandstone rubble with dressed-stone surrounds and has a 20th-century tiled roof.

Old House Farmhouse is a late medieval or early modern timber-framed house that was later clad in stone. Built before 1700, it retains its historic floor plan and character. A barn about 30 metres southwest of Court Farmhouse dates from the late 17th or early 18th century. It has a timber frame, a sandstone rubble plinth and brick infill panels. Because of its group value, it is protected together with Pontrilas Court.

For those interested in architecture, the three examples are easy to distinguish: Pontrilas Court represents several phases of alteration, Old House Farmhouse retains its historic floor plan despite its later stone cladding, and the barn brings together timber framing, a stone plinth and brick infill.

Putting the railway history in context

The historic Golden Valley Railway was planned as an 18¾-mile single-track line from Pontrilas to Hay-on-Wye. On 1 September 1881, the first section, from Pontrilas to Dorstone, opened; Pontrilas station closed in 1964. The 18¾ miles refer to the planned full line, while the opening date refers to the section as far as Dorstone. This makes it possible to distinguish the plan, the opening and the station’s closure as separate milestones in the area’s history.

Gardens, tours and cider

Kentchurch Estate in Pontrilas welcomes visitors to its gardens. Personal tours of the historic house are offered year-round; advance booking is required. The tours are of the historic house, while the gardens offer a separate reason to visit the estate. If you would like to include a house tour in your plans, reserve it in advance.

The shop and bar at Ty Gwyn Cider in Pontrilas sell draught and bottled cider as well as perry. If you would like to include cider in your stay, you will find this selection here.

The Golden Valley and its trails

Pontrilas lies at the southern end of the Golden Valley. The valley stretches between the river valleys of the Dore and the Monnow and the Black Mountains. Picturesque walking trails in the Golden Valley offer another way to experience the landscape around Pontrilas. The Twin Valley Pilgrim Trail is a 45-mile, four-day route that reaches the confluence of the two rivers near Pontrilas. The walking trails in the Golden Valley offer general opportunities for walking, while the Pilgrim Trail provides a specific multi-day route of 45 miles over four days.

The Cider Site is in a rural setting between the Golden Valley and the Black Mountains. Public footpaths run opposite and directly alongside the Cider Site. Paths and site details may change, so check current path conditions before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Whitney-On-Wye, Fownhope, Much Cowarne, Burghill, Leominster, Hereford, Titley, Moreton On Lugg

For the broader travel overview: County Of Herefordshire.