Great Places to Live: Ledbury, Herefordshire
Sitting on the western edge of the Malvern Hills AONB in the rural county of Herefordshire is the charming market town of Ledbury. In 1959 the Malvern Hills Area was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Covering 105 square kilometres it includes parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire. The area is famed for its dramatic landscape, with its hills producing the famed Malvern Hills pure spring water. Rich in heritage, forts, castles, and priories dot the landscape of ancient woodland and rolling hills, home to a diversity of locally and nationally important wildlife. Within easy reach of Ledbury, you can visit places such as Eastnor Castle, Newbridge Farm Park, Goodrich Castle, Great Witcombe Roman Villa, and the Much Marcle Ancient Yew.
Founded in the early 11th century by Benedictine monks and flourishing in growth in the 19th century due to its hydrotherapy spa, Ledbury is a vibrant and bustling market town. In the centre of town, enjoy the Black and White Grade 1 listed Market Hall which dates back to 1617 and still hosts a twice-weekly market, the Ledbury Heritage Centre and The Master’s House, home to Ledbury’s library, Community Resource Area, and many events, exhibitions and activities throughout the year including The Ledbury Poetry Festival which takes place every year over 10 days in July. There is also a football club, Rugby club, vineyard, swimming pool, cricket club, train station, and several parks.
If you like to eat out or enjoy socializing with friends of an evening there are many great inns, pubs, cafés, brasseries, and restaurants in and around Ledbury. Try breakfast at The Malthouse Cafe & Gallery - we hear the eggs benedict are divine, Cameron & Swan for lunch - they have great vegan options or The Royal Oak, a quintessential English pub, perfectly positioned for an afternoons walk around Much Marcle before enjoying a delicious Sunday lunch. You can even take the dog!
Ledbury is ideally situated for access to Worcester which is 40 minutes away by car or train. Even closer are both Hereford and Gloucester, only a 30-minute drive away. Just over 20 miles to the southwest the border of Wales is in easy reach. Those who work in Birmingham will have an average commute of one hour.
An outstanding location for families, the Ledbury area boasts excellent primary and secondary schools, as well as several pre-schools. Schools in the area include:
Pre-Schools: Busy Bees Ledbury, Playstation Day Nursery, Jack in the Box Nursery.
Primary Schools: Ashperton Primary Academy, Bosbury Primary School, Bromesberrow St Mary’s Primary School, Eastnor Parochial Primary School, Ledbury Primary School, Much Marcle Primary School.
Secondary Schools: John Masefield High School.
Independent Schools: Queenswood School - a special independent school for boys and girls aged from 11 to 19, The Elms School - a co-educational, independent, boarding, prep school catering for children from 2½ to 13 years old.
Hawk Rise is the ideal location nestled in the outskirts of Ledbury for you and your family. An exclusive selection of 3 and 4 bedroom homes priced at £255,995 to £369,995 and available to purchase through the Help to Buy scheme. Available through Movemaker - your estate agent fees will be covered by Barratt Homes when selling your existing home.
Featured home: Plot 77, 'Folkstone' - A three-bedroom, semi-detached home priced from £255,995. Perfect for first-time buyers. Stamp Duty paid. Upgraded kitchen included worth £3,275. Downstairs, the kitchen offers the space to cook, eat and socialize. The light and airy open-plan lounge-diner allows plenty of natural light from the French doors leading out to the garden. Upstairs you will find two double bedrooms - the master with en suite, a further single bedroom, and family bathroom. This home comes with two parking spaces. Reserve early to personalize your home. From Barratt Homes.