Kington, Herefordshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"KINGTON, a parish and market town in the hundred of Huntington, county Hereford, 18 miles N.W. of Hereford, and 154 W. by N. of London. It is the terminus of the Leominster and Kington branch of the West Midland railway. The parish, which is of large extent, includes, besides the town of Kington, containing Old and New Kington, the townships of Barton, Both-Hergests, and Lilwall. The town, which consists of two spacious streets, is situated under Bradnor Hill Camp, on the banks of the river Arrow. It is of considerable antiquity, and had an archer's castle for defence of the Welsh borders. Charles II. is believed to have slept at an inn in this town previous to the fatal battle of Worcester.

The manufacture of woollen cloth was formerly carried on extensively, but has now entirely ceased, and glove-making, which, until a recent period, furnished employment to a considerable number of the inhabitants, has much declined. There are three branch banks, a savings-bank, iron foundries, a nail manufactory, and an extensive tannery. Courts leet and baron for the manor are held annually, at the former of which a bailiff is appointed; and the county magistrates hold petty sessions for the hundred of Huntington every Friday. The town is a polling-place for the county elections, and the seat of a Poorlaw Union embracing 11 parishes in Herefordshire, and 17 in Radnorshire. It is also the head of new County Court and superintendent registry districts.

The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Hereford, value with Huntington annexed, £520, in the patronage of the bishop. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure, and was thoroughly repaired and enlarged in 1829. There are also churches at Brilley, Huntington, and Michaelchurch. The Baptists, Wesleyans, and Independents have places of worship. The free grammar school was founded in 1619 by Lady Hawkins, who endowed it with an estate now producing 2300 per annum. There are also National and Sunday schools.

Bradnor Hill, to the N. of the town, are traces of an ancient encampment, and to the W. of the town is a mound which was formerly fortified - these works are supposed to have formed part of a chain of strongholds between Huntington Castle and the Castle of Lyon's Hall, to the S. of the parish. In a barn still standing the celebrated tragic actress, Mrs. Siddons, made her first appearance on the stage. Wednesday is market day. Fairs are held on the Wednesday before the 2nd February, Easter-Wednesday, Whit-Monday, 2nd August, 19th September, 11th October, and Christmas, chiefly for cattle."

"BARTON, a township in the parish of Kington, and hundred of Huntington, in the county of Hereford, near Kington. It is united with the townships of Bradnor and Rushock."

"BOTH-HERGESTS, a township in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntington, in the county of Hereford, 2 miles from Kington."

"BRADNOR, a joint township with Barton, in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntington, in the county of Hereford, not far from Kington. Bradnor Hill has on its summit the remains of an ancient camp, and commands an extensive prospect over the surrounding country."

"CHICKWARD, a hamlet in the parish of Kington, in the hundred of Huntington, in the county of Hereford, 2 mites S.W. of Kington."

"EMPTON, a hamlet in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntingdon, county Hereford, 3 miles S.W. of Kington. The river Arrow flows in the vicinity."

"LILWALL, a township in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntington, county Hereford, 2 miles S. of Kington."

"PEMBERS-OAK, a hamlet in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntington, county Hereford, 2 miles S.W. of Kington. It is joined with Crickward and Lilwall to form a township."

"PENRHOS, a hamlet in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntington, county Hereford, 1 mile E. of Kington, and 17 miles N.W. of Hereford. It is situated on the river Arrow under Bradnor Hill."

"RUSHOCK, a hamlet in the parish of Kington, hundred of Huntingdon, county Hereford, 6 miles N.E. of Kington. It is in conjunction with Barton."

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