The west midland section of the Great Western railway connects the town with the cities of Hereford and Worcester; the station being distant about half a mile on the north side. It has been proposed to construct a railway from Gloucester via Newent to Ledbury, and an Act has been obtained for a line from Ross to Ledbury. The Hereford and Gloucester canal passes through the town on the west side.

Ledbury is the head of a union, county court district, polling district, highway district, and petty sessional division, and is locally situate in the hundred of Radlow. The parish is divided into five parts - The Borough, Wall Hills, Wellington Heath, Leadon and Haffield, Mitchell and Netherton; the last four of these form the foreign of the manor, for which courts leet and baron are held. The Right Hon. Earl Somers, of Eastnor castle, John William Miles, Esq., of Bristol, John Martin, Esq., of Upper hall, Ledbury, Michael Biddulph, Esq., M.P., of New house, Ledbury, and the Rev. Edward Woodyatt, of Cheltenham, are lords of the manor and principal land-owners.

Property in this borough is subject to the custom of "Borough English", i.e., in case of intestacy the freehold property descends to the youngest son, to the exclusion of the elder. The area of Ledbury parish is 8,194a. 2r. 16p., and the rateable value £22,495. The population, according to the census returns, in 1801 was 3,058; in 1851, 4,624; in 1861, 5,598; in 1871, 4,473,^[1] which are thus divided:-

The population of the town of Ledbury in 1871 was 2,967, viz., 1,406 males, and 1,561 females. The inhabited houses numbered 638; uninhabited, 46.

The town consists of two principal streets, lying north and south, and intersected by smaller streets at right angles. In many parts are the old-fashioned houses with projecting stories; but there are several excellent modern residences. The rural sanitary authority have now under consideration in what way the water supply and drainage of the town can be beneficially reconstructed. The town is lighted with gas, by the Ledbury Gas-light and Coke Company. The works are situate in New street, and are managed by a committee of seven, elected annually by the shareholders. New works were completed in 1875. The cost per 1,000 feet is about 6s.

The principal commerce depends on the produce of the neighbouring orchards and hop-grounds, the hops from the adjacent district being of excellent quality. The celebrated barland and champagne perry, made in Ledbury and surrounding parishes, is. highly esteemed. Brewing, malting, vinegar-making, and tanning are carried on. Ledbury is also a glove-making district. The clothing trade was at one period very flourishing in this locality.

There are two excellent hotels and posting houses (The Feathers and The Royal Oak), two banks (the Ledbury Old bank, and a branch of the National Provincial Bank of England), and several good shops and respectable inns. There is a Ledbury newspaper (The Free Press), published by Mr. Luke Tilley every Tuesday. The market is held on Tuesday. The whole of the old fairs are now abolished, and a monthly fair substituted on the second Tuesday in each month. The Market-house, in High street, is a quaint structure of the Elizabethan period, built upon sixteen substantial pillars of Spanish or sweet chestnut, obtained from the once extensive Malvern "chace". It was partially restored a few years since. A portion of the Feathers Hotel is now used as the Corn-exchange, and is fitted up with stalls for the numerous dealers who frequent this market.

The union workhouse is a substantial brick structure opened in 1837. It has, since its erection, undergone considerable improvement, and is now capable of accommodating about 170 inmates. The average number at present is 90. The guardians meet at the board-room every alternate Tuesday. The Ledbury union district comprises an area of 48,824a. 1r. 12p., and a population in 1871 of 13,102, being the total contained in 22 parishes. The magistrates for Ledbury petty sessional division meet every alternate Wednesday at the Police court in Church street. The highway board also meets here on the first Tuesday in each month. The county court sittings are held every alternate month at the Court house, Southend street. Ledbury is included in the 23rd circuit of the county courts. The dispensary in New street was established in 1824.

The Ledbury cottage hospital, in Homend street, was opened in February 1873. It is designed for the reception of accidents and diseases requiring active medical and surgical treatment, from Ledbury and the neighbouring parishes. The funds for the support of the hospital are raised by donations and annual subscriptions. The post and telegraph office is at Mr. William G. Taylor's, High street; the stamp office at Mr. Robert Edy's, Market place, and the inland revenue office at the Feathers Hotel. The reading-room, in Worcester road, is well supplied with papers, periodicals, &c., and is open from 9 a.m. till 10 p.m. There is a library in connection, with upwards of 400 volumes. Members are admitted upon payment of an annual subscription of 5s. There are also clubs, benevolent institutions, a burial board, a good rifle corps, &c.

HISTORY, PLACES OF WORSHIP, ETC.- Ledbury was anciently a borough, and had once the privilege of sending two members to Parliament; but afterwards surrendered its right on the plea of inability to support them. In Domesday this town was called Liedeberge. The bishops of Hereford had a palace here. Ledbury formerly belonged to the see of Hereford, to which it was given by a Saxon named Edwin, who imagined himself cured of the palsy through the intercession of St. Ethelbert. Bishop Bohun procured the charter of a market for this manor from King Stephen, to be held on Saturdays; but this falling into disuse, Queen Elizabeth, A.D. 1584, granted a new charter for a Tuesday market, and two annual fairs, and directed tolls to be collected.

Bishop Trevenant, or Treffnant, is said to have founded a college about the year 1401, for a master, or deacon, and eight secular priests, besides clerks and other servants; and the fact of the existence of this college formed an important feature in a legal dispute (about twenty years ago) between the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and the then vicar as to the title to the Nether Hall estate; but the dispute was settled by the annexation of a considerable portion of the property to the living, and the conversion of the living from a vicarage to a rectory.

The church, dedicated to St. Michael and all Angels, is a spacious and handsome edifice partially covered with ivy. It was founded previously to the 20th William I., 1086 (for mention is made in a return of the manor of Ledbury in Domesday book of a priest being established there), and is partly in the Norman, partly in the Early English, and partly in the later styles of architecture. The west front has a curious Norman doorway, having semicircular mouldings ornamented with zigzag, and resting on three pillars on each side, having capitals ornamented with masks and foliage: the north porch is a fine specimen of Early English work. The building consists of a nave, chancel, two aisles, with chapels dedicated to St. Catherine and St. Anne, two galleries, and an organ. It will seat about 900 persons.

The church is now undergoing restoration. The tower, which is detached from the church, is in the Early English style, and is surmounted by a finely-proportioned spire, which has been twice struck by lightning, but without any serious effect. The tower and spire are about 210 feet high. There are eight bells and clock (without dial); the clock chimes at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Numerous sepulchral memorials are contained in this church; among them are several ancient and curious tombs, but greatly mutilated. There are also a few brasses. Over the altar is a painting of "The Lord's Supper", after Leonardo da Vinci, painted by the late Thomas Ballard, of Ledbury: at the east end of the north aisle is a stained glass window, representing, in large figures, Faith, Hope, and Charity; there are three other stained glass windows.

St. Catherine's chapel, adjoining the church on the north side, is in the Decorated style of architecture, and is now used as a baptistery. A female of the name of Catherine Audley, a religious woman, in the reign of Edward II., who had a maid called Mabel, but not being fixed in any settled place, had a revelation that she should not set up her rest till she came to a town where the bells should ring of themselves. She and her maid coming near Ledbury, heard the bells ring, though the church doors were shut and no ringers there. Here then she determined to spend the remainder of her days, and built an hermitage, living on herbs and milk. The king, in consideration of her birth or piety, or both, granted her an annuity of £30.

The parish registers commence with the year 1533. The living is a rectory, in the diocese and archdeaconry of Hereford and rural deanery of South Froome; value, £710 2s., with residence and 4 acres of glebe; patron, the Lord Bishop of Hereford; rector, Rev. John Jackson. M.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge, who was instituted in 1860, and is also a surrogate for the diocese of Hereford.

The hospital of St. Catherine, situated in High street, was founded by Bishop Ffolliott, about the year 1232, for six single men, two men and their wives, and two widows. At the Dissolution, the revenues of this establishment were valued at £32 7s. 11d. annually. Queen Elizabeth refounded it in 1580 for a master, seven poor widowers, and three poor women, each to be allowed £6 13s. 4d. annually, besides clothes and firing. The Dean and Chapter of Hereford are the trustees and patrons. An Act of Parliament was obtained in 1819 to enable the Dean and Chapter to rebuild the almshouses, and for the better regulation of the charity.

The hospital is now, and must be hereafter, governed in strict conformity with the enactments of this statute, which, after giving powers for raising money on mortgage of the estates to erect the new almshouses, directs that the number of almsfolk shall be 24 at the least, as soon as the mortgage to be then created shall have been discharged. In 1822 the present hospital was designed by Mr. Smirke, but only one wing, containing twelve residences, was erected. Under the management of the late Dean of Hereford (Very Rev. Richard Dawes, M.A.) the mortgage debt was largely reduced by regular instalments, and a new wing, containing 12 residences, was added in 1867 to complete the original design of the building. There are now 12 male and 12 female inmates; each of whom receives 7s. 6d. per week, a ton of coal at Christmas, and clothes every second year.

The Venerable William Waring, M.A., archdeacon of Ludlow, and canon of Hereford cathedral, the present master, has a large dwelling-house and garden attached, near the hospital, where he resides during nine months in the year; to his annual income is added 70 acres of land and 40 acres of coppice-wood, and he has the appointment of the brethren and sisters. The chapel attached to the hospital is a remarkably plain building. Service is performed by the chaplain (Rev. John Jackson, M.A., rector of Ledbury) on Wednesdays and Fridays, and daily prayer by the master when in residence.

No service is performed in the chapel on the day in which there is service in the parish church. A small marble tablet was erected by the inmates, in 1870, to perpetuate the memory of the late Very Rev. Richard Dawes, M.A., dean of Hereford and former master of the hospital. P.J. Miles, Esq., of Bristol, left about £24 per annum to the deserving poor of Ledbury. This with other charities amounting in the whole to about £65 annually ate distributed on St. Thomas' day by the rector and churchwardens for the time being. Orlam farm, in this parish, contributes nine bushels of wheat to the poor yearly; this dole is of unknown origin.

An iron church has been recently erected in New street, at the sole expense of John Martin, Esq., J.P., of the Upper hall, for the use of the congregation of the Ledbury Free church, of which the Rev. Gordon J.H. Llewellyn is the minister. The Congregational chapel was rebuilt in 1852, at a cost of about £800. It is a plain structure of brick with Bath stone facings, and is situate in High street, nearly opposite the Market-house. The Baptist chapel, in Homend street, was erected in 1831, at a cost of £1,150. It has since been enlarged, and will now seat about 450 persons. The Wesleyan chapel, also in Homend street, was built in 1849. It was repewed a few years since, and will seat about 500 persons.

The boys' Church of England school was erected in 1868 on a site in Homend street, given by John Martin, Esq., of Upper hall. It was opened in May of that year, and is a commodious structure of red brick. The average attendance is about 112. The ancient grammar school is incorporated with the boys' school as a permanent endowment, under the title of "King Edward VI.'s Grammar School", to be free to four boys. The girls' and infants' national schools are situate in Back lane, and are under government inspection; average attendance, girls, 60, and infants, 76. The girls' school, in Southend street, supported by Skynner's charity, educates 30 girls.

There is a cemetery about half a mile from the town, on the Ross road, with stone mortuary chapels. It was opened in 1860. The members of the burial board are elected annually by the vestry.

Wellington Heath, distant 3 miles N. of Ledbury, is now a separate ecclesiastical parish, comprising an area of 955 acres. The church (Christ Church) was built in 1840-41, at a cost of £1,150, chiefly defrayed by the late Thomas Heywood, Esq. It is a very plain building of stone, consisting of a nave with bell-cot and one bell. It stands on the summit of a hill, and may be seen from a great distance. A subscription list is now opened for the purpose of raising funds for an entirely new edifice. A beautiful reredos has already been promised. The living is a vicarage; gross value, £301, derived from the following sources:- Ecclesiastical Commissioners, £238; rectory of Ledbury, £30; interest of £800, £24; tithes, £9; patron, the Lord Bishop of Hereford; vicar, Rev. Frederick Salter Stooke-Vaughan, M.A., of St. John's College, Cambridge, who was instituted in 1871. A new school, to accommodate 81 children; was erected in 1874 at the sole expense of C.A. Hewitt, Esq., of Hope end, by whom it is also supported. There is a residence for the master attached. The population of Wellington Heath ecclesiastical parish in 1871 was 504, and the number of inhabited houses 121. The cottages are mostly freehold; the ground was formerly held by squatters, until the Ledbury Enclosure Act of 54th George III., in 1814, secured them their freehold. Parkhold is a township in the parish of Ledbury, but distant about 4 miles W.N.W. from the town. It is in Tarrington polling district, and comprises an area of 353 acres.

SEATS IN THE VICINITY.- Ledbury is surrounded by many beautiful seats: Eastnor Castle, the princely mansion of the Right Hon. Earl Somers, occupies a fine commanding situation, and has a most imposing appearance (see Eastnor, page 170); Hope End, the magnificent mansion of Charles Archibald Hewitt, Esq., J.P., D.L., is entirely new, and stands near the site of the former structure; the park is extensive and is partly in Colwall parish (see Colwall, page 134); Upper Hall, the seat of John Martin, Esq., J.P., is a spacious red brick mansion, situated on an eminence, with a park of oak trees; New House, the residence of Mrs. Biddulpb, is built in the Elizabethan style of architecture; Underdown House is the residence of Mrs. Murray Aynsley; Haffield is the seat of William Charles Henry, Esq., M.D., J.P.; Bosbury House, the seat of the Rev. Edward Higgins, M.A., J.P., D.L. (see Bosbury, page 78); Donnington Hall, occupied by James Wickens, Esq., J.P. (see Donnington, page 159); Canon-ffroome Court, John Hopton, Esq., J.P., D.L. (see Canon Froome, page 122); Putley Court, John Riley, Esq., J.P. (see Putley); Homme House, Lieut.-Col. John Ernle Money-Kyrle, J.P., D.L. (see Marcle Much); Old Colwall, William Edmund East, Esq.; Barton Court, Major Thomas Griffith Peyton, J.P., D.L. (see Colwall, page 134); Birchwood House, Thomas Henry Little, Esq. (see Cradley, page 141.)

NOTABILIA.- About 12 miles N.W. from Ledbury is a conical eminence called Wallhills, the lower part of which is surrounded by large trees, and the summit crowned by a spacious camp. The area comprehends between 30 and 40 acres, now appropriated to the growth of corn and hops. The single rampart which enclosed this camp is half-levelled; it had three entrances, one of them called the "King's Gate". In ploughing the area, spear and arrow heads have been found, together with brass coins, horse-shoes of antique form, and human bones. About 2 miles S. from Ledbury is the Vineyard camp, the works of which have been almost defaced by the plough. The Dog Hill and other quarries furnish limestone and grey marble.

[1]The decrease of population is attributed to the removal of a number of labourers. (with their families), who in 1861 were employed in constructing a line of railway.