Backney Common

Downs, Moorland in Herefordshire

England

Backney Common

Farm cart A farm trailer parked in a field at Brampton Abbots near Ross on Wye. Taken with a 1950s Braun Paxette camera.
Farm cart Credit: John Winder

Backney Common is a picturesque area located in Herefordshire, England. Covering a vast expanse of downs and moorland, this natural haven offers visitors a unique and diverse landscape to explore.

The common is characterized by rolling hills and open grasslands, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Its varied terrain is dotted with heather, gorse, and bracken, creating a colorful tapestry that changes with the seasons. The area is also home to several small streams and ponds, enhancing the overall charm and tranquility of the common.

Backney Common boasts a rich biodiversity, playing host to a wide range of flora and fauna. It is a haven for birdwatchers, as numerous species of birds can be spotted here, including skylarks, yellowhammers, and kestrels. The common also supports a variety of mammals, such as rabbits, foxes, and badgers, which can often be seen going about their daily activities.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Backney Common offers ample opportunities for walking, hiking, and picnicking. There are several well-marked footpaths and trails that crisscross the area, allowing visitors to explore its hidden gems. The common is particularly popular during the spring and summer months, when the wildflowers are in full bloom and the landscape is at its most vibrant.

In summary, Backney Common is a stunning natural landscape in Herefordshire, offering a mix of downs and moorland. With its sweeping vistas, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities, this area is a true gem for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful retreat in the heart of the English countryside.

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Backney Common Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.940001/-2.6031334 or Grid Reference SO5827. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farm cart A farm trailer parked in a field at Brampton Abbots near Ross on Wye. Taken with a 1950s Braun Paxette camera.
Farm cart
A farm trailer parked in a field at Brampton Abbots near Ross on Wye. Taken with a 1950s Braun Paxette camera.
Field edge view from Brampton Abbotts Triangulation Pillar Looking north-westward.
Field edge view from Brampton Abbotts Triangulation Pillar
Looking north-westward.
St Mary, Foy Bucolically sited by the Wye. Mostly C13th/C14th but as usual touched by many later hands.
St Mary, Foy
Bucolically sited by the Wye. Mostly C13th/C14th but as usual touched by many later hands.
Former vicarage, Foy Rubble-faced, built c1730, the porch a clumsy Victorian addition. The bow round the corner was added c1800. Grade II listed.
Former vicarage, Foy
Rubble-faced, built c1730, the porch a clumsy Victorian addition. The bow round the corner was added c1800. Grade II listed.
Bridge piers near Baysham Five sandstone piers are all that remain of Brunel's bridge over the Wye for the Hereford, Ross & Gloucester Railway.
An evocative 1961 shot of the nearby halt <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2714607">SO5827 : Backney Halt, near Ross-on-Wye</a>.
Bridge piers near Baysham
Five sandstone piers are all that remain of Brunel's bridge over the Wye for the Hereford, Ross & Gloucester Railway. An evocative 1961 shot of the nearby halt SO5827 : Backney Halt, near Ross-on-Wye.
Country road near Foy The road meanders to Foy which sits in a large loop of the Wye.
Country road near Foy
The road meanders to Foy which sits in a large loop of the Wye.
River Wye near Baysham There doesn't appear to be a definitive name for a group of swans - a flock, a bevy, a game ... ?
River Wye near Baysham
There doesn't appear to be a definitive name for a group of swans - a flock, a bevy, a game ... ?
The road to Baysham The minor road on the approach to Baysham.
The road to Baysham
The minor road on the approach to Baysham.
Barn at White House Farm Looking like on old tithe barn but actually dating from 1810 <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1215052" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1215052">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Barn at White House Farm
Looking like on old tithe barn but actually dating from 1810 LinkExternal link
Grass field with sheep, Strangford
Grass field with sheep, Strangford
Landfill at Strangford Occupies the site of the former Ross on Wye to Hereford railway.
Landfill at Strangford
Occupies the site of the former Ross on Wye to Hereford railway.
Foye Court The former Rectory <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1166408" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1166408">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Foye Court
The former Rectory LinkExternal link
Cemetery at Sellack and the River Wye
Cemetery at Sellack and the River Wye
The Wye near Foy A late summer view from the lane utilising telephoto to highlight the pastoral scene by the river.
In the distance is the high ground around Perrystone Hill.
The Wye near Foy
A late summer view from the lane utilising telephoto to highlight the pastoral scene by the river. In the distance is the high ground around Perrystone Hill.
Oak tree and crop marks Vestiges of the previous crop still visible in the diagonal stripes in this image.
Oak tree and crop marks
Vestiges of the previous crop still visible in the diagonal stripes in this image.
St Mary's Church - Foy on Wye, Herefordshire This is the parish church of St Mary on the right bank of the Wye in the scattered 'cut in half' parish of Foy. The building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and has a 14th century door. The east window of 1675 is a copy of the one at Sellack. There are memorials here to members of the Abrahall family. The village, for some reason, used to be known as Eton Tregoz and is truly cut in half. The only way of passing between the two is a footbridge of 1876, rebuilt in 1919 and drivers have a journey to Ross if they want to cross to the other half of the parish. Source: Herefordshire Village Book – Herefordshire Federation of Women's Institutes/Countryside Books. Time photo taken not available.
St Mary's Church - Foy on Wye, Herefordshire
This is the parish church of St Mary on the right bank of the Wye in the scattered 'cut in half' parish of Foy. The building dates from the 13th and 14th centuries and has a 14th century door. The east window of 1675 is a copy of the one at Sellack. There are memorials here to members of the Abrahall family. The village, for some reason, used to be known as Eton Tregoz and is truly cut in half. The only way of passing between the two is a footbridge of 1876, rebuilt in 1919 and drivers have a journey to Ross if they want to cross to the other half of the parish. Source: Herefordshire Village Book – Herefordshire Federation of Women's Institutes/Countryside Books. Time photo taken not available.
A tomb with a view One of many pictures of the cemetery at Sellack, situated a few hundred yards from the church.
A tomb with a view
One of many pictures of the cemetery at Sellack, situated a few hundred yards from the church.
Former railway viaduct Visible in the centre of this shot are the remains of Strangford viaduct, one of four crossings of the River Wye made by the old Gloucester- Hereford railway between Ross on Wye and Hereford. Three of these viaducts - Backney, Strangford and Ballingham - were more or less identical until March 1947, when floodwater from the melting snows of that year's harsh winter brought down the central pillar of Strangford viaduct. The Great Western Railway rebuilt the viaduct, demolishing the two adjacent pillars and replacing them with stronger (but less picturesque!) concrete ones which were strong enough to support a longer central span thus doing away with the need to replace the central pillar. The "new" viaduct was in use for less than 20 years: the line closed completely between Ross on Wye and Hereford on 4th November 1964. A closer view of the viaduct can be found at <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/244569">SO5728 : Remains of rail bridge at Strangford over the River Wye</a>.
Former railway viaduct
Visible in the centre of this shot are the remains of Strangford viaduct, one of four crossings of the River Wye made by the old Gloucester- Hereford railway between Ross on Wye and Hereford. Three of these viaducts - Backney, Strangford and Ballingham - were more or less identical until March 1947, when floodwater from the melting snows of that year's harsh winter brought down the central pillar of Strangford viaduct. The Great Western Railway rebuilt the viaduct, demolishing the two adjacent pillars and replacing them with stronger (but less picturesque!) concrete ones which were strong enough to support a longer central span thus doing away with the need to replace the central pillar. The "new" viaduct was in use for less than 20 years: the line closed completely between Ross on Wye and Hereford on 4th November 1964. A closer view of the viaduct can be found at SO5728 : Remains of rail bridge at Strangford over the River Wye.
Show me another place!

Backney Common is located at Grid Ref: SO5827 (Lat: 51.940001, Lng: -2.6031334)

Unitary Authority: County of Herefordshire

Police Authority: West Mercia

What 3 Words

///absorbing.tentacles.panoramic. Near Sellack, Herefordshire

Nearby Locations

Backney Common

Related Wikis

Backney Halt railway station

Backney Halt railway station was a request stop in the English county of Herefordshire. It was located on the Great Western Railway line linking Ross-on...

Brampton Abbotts

Brampton Abbotts is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. It is located 2 km north of Ross-on-Wye and 16 km south east of Hereford. The...

Sellack

Sellack is a village and rural parish in the English county of Herefordshire. It is on the River Wye three and a half miles northwest by north of Ross...

Foy, Herefordshire

Foy is a hamlet and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. By road, it is 7 kilometres (4 miles) north of Ross-on-Wye, 23 kilometres (14 miles) south...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.940001,-2.6031334
Backney
Is In: Herefordshire
Place: hamlet
Source: NPE
Lat/Long: 51.942898/-2.6081107
Backney
Historic Railway: station
Railway: site
Wikidata: Q4839695
Wikipedia: en:Backney Halt railway station
Lat/Long: 51.9427183/-2.6072657
Rev. Harry St. Helier Evans
Description: In memory of Rev Harry St Helier Evans who died rescuing two children drowning in the river.
Historic: memorial
Inscription: They that are with him are called and faithful. H.E Aug 5 1904
Material: metal
Memorial: cross
Start Date: 1904-08-05
Lat/Long: 51.9380138/-2.6024775
Parking
Parking: surface
Source: bing
Lat/Long: 51.9419914/-2.6071206
Backney Bridge
Bridge Support: pillar
Description: Disused supports from the old Backney railway bridge
Material: stone
Lat/Long: 51.9409219/-2.6068038
Clare Cottage
Power: pole
Transformer: distribution
Voltage Primary: 11000
Lat/Long: 51.9428987/-2.6052189
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.9429765/-2.6056849
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 51.9432009/-2.6070951
Old Quarry Sellack
Power: pole
Transformer: distribution
Voltage Primary: 11000
Lat/Long: 51.9380981/-2.6096972
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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