CHURCH LANE, LEDBURY c. 1950

PROTECTING OUR HERITAGE, SHAPING THE FUTURE

Ledbury is a small market town in rural Herefordshire close to the Malvern Hills. Its High Street is lined with buildings from the 17th century which originally surrounded a medieval market place. It is extraordinary that it has survived intact, whilst retaining all the charm and appeal of a vibrant place to shop, eat and explore.

Ledbury Civic Society was created 50 years ago to protect that unique heritage. There have been countless conservation campaigns over the years. The cobbled lane leading up to the minster church of St Michael & All Angels would be very different without the interventions of the civic society.

On picture-perfect Church Lane, unchanged from the 1950s, are two of the town’s important historic buildings. Butcher Row House Museum and Burgage Hall were both saved and restored by the Civic Society.

The Ledbury & District Society Trust Ltd was formed in 1977. Our status as a charitable trust enables us to devote as much of our income as possible to our causes. We are a membership organisation and this, together with the income from the museum and the hall, are our sole sources of external funding. All our work is undertaken by volunteers.

society story

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BUTCHER ROW

BURGAGE HALL

society story

JOIN THE SOCIETY

BUTCHER ROW

BURGAGE HALL

Butcher Row House Museum

This is a 16th century timber frame building. Originally in the medieval market place, it was part of the ‘rows’ of buildings that had gradually taken over the middle of the High Street – long before planning restrictions!

Considered unsightly alongside the newer, grander developments of the 17th and 18th centuries, all but two buildings were demolished in the 1830s. Butcher Row House was abandoned in a back garden until it was gifted to the Civic Society.

Trustees and volunteers dismantled and moved it to Church Lane, and after restoration it was opened as a quirky little folk museum in 1980.

MORE ABOUT THE MUSEUM

OPENING HOURS

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am to 4.00pm, up to 2 November. Entry is free. But donations towards maintenance are gratefully received.

Burgage Hall

Originally a small timbered Congregational chapel stood here, hidden from view in a time of religious conflict. A new classical building was built in 1852 to reflect more open attitudes to non-conformist religion and new architectural styles.

After the chapel had fallen into disuse the Civic Society restored the severely dilapidated building, to create a community space for hire.

The building was re-named Burgage Hall as a nod to the original name of the narrow plots which lined the streets in the 13th century. There would have been a shop at the front, living space behind and a market garden at the rear.

MORE ABOUT THE HALL

LEDBURY’S LISTED PORTFOLIO

grade II* listed

Ledbury has 22 properties “considered as particularly important buildings, with extra merit such as outstanding interiors”. Including The Feathers Hotel, The Old Grammar School and The Master’s House.

GRADE I LISTED

Three premier listings for the town, The Market House, Church of St Michael and All Angels and Ledbury Park.

grade II listed

There are 219 Grade II listed buildings in Ledbury. They’re mostly in the centre of town, with importantly, Burgage Hall and The Barrett Browning Institute.

ALL ABOUT LEDBURY TOWN

LEDBURY'S LISTED

Three Grade I listings, The Market House, Church of St Michael and All Angels and Ledbury Park. Plus 22 Grade II* properties. The star means, “particularly important buildings, with extra merit such as outstanding interiors.” And 219 Grade II buildings. Most in the town centre.

ALL ABOUT LEDBURY TOWN

Join our society

People join us for lots of reasons, but all our members love Ledbury for one reason or another. And perhaps above all they believe that by supporting our work they are playing their part in contributing to our town’s future. To be kept informed and contribute costs only £15 per year.

Please support us.

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