Aymestrey, Herefordshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"AYMESTREY, a parish chiefly in the hundred of Wigmore, partly in the hundred of Stretford, in the county of Hereford, 7 miles to the N.W. of Leominster, its post town. It lies in a rich and beautiful district in the valley of the river Lug, and comprises the chapelry of Earl's Leinthall, and the townships of Conhope, Mortimer's Cross, Nether Lye, Shirley, and Yatton. Limestone is quarried here, and hops are cultivated. The river is crossed by a bridge, which, with the adjacent rocks, the woods, and fair meadows, make up a right pleasant landscape. The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Hereford, value £249, in the patronage of the lord chancellor. The church is dedicated to St. John and St. Alkmund. Aymestrey has the benefit of two endowed free schools and some almshouses. Its charities amount altogether to £50 per annum."

"CONHOPE, a township in the parish of Aymestrey, in the county of Hereford, 6½ miles N.W. of Leominster."

"MORTIMER'S CROSS, a township in the parish of Aymestrey, county Hereford, 6 miles N.W. of Leominster. It is situated on the river Lug. At Kingslandfield is a pillar, bearing date 1799, erected on the spot where Henry VI. and the Lancastrians were defeated by Edward Mortimer in the interest of Edward IV."

"NETHER and OVER LYE, townships in the parish of Aymestrey, county Hereford, 7 miles N.W. of Leominster, and 5 N.E. of Presteign. The river Lug flows through the place."

"SHIRLEY, a township in the parish of Aymestrey, county Hereford, 6 miles N.W. of Leominster."

"UPPER LEY, a township in the parish of Aymestrey, hundred of Stretford, county Hereford."

"YATTON, a township in the parish of Aymestrey, county Hereford, 5 miles N.E. of Ross, 7½ N.W. of Leominster, and 2 from Wigmore. It is situated on Watling Street turnpike road, and on the river Lug."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]