Urishay Common

Hidden in this neatly trimmed hedge is a trig point and there are great views in all directions.

Derelict farm. The building shown appears to be of late C16 or Early C17. The lower part to the right is the original farmhouse and internally appears to have been divided into the residential half on the left and a cattle shed on the right. There is evidence of the residential section having two floors with lath-and-plaster internal walls. There is a fireplace on the ground floor. The interior has been cleared and used for animals, the dung being about 1.5-2 metres in depth. The left-hand building is clearly a later addition and contains a stone fireplace against the back wall. Also on this site is a Barn of possibly C15 date in a near collapsed state. The barn is cruck built with the cruck blades coming to ground level. The original building appears to have been re-clad in brick. The perlins have been laid flat on the cruck blades, not edge-on which would have been stronger. There is a building platform evident on the ground and an additional building is shown on early maps in this position. The entrance to the site appears to have been originally from the NW via a hollow way - now a footpath. I assume this site was originally part of Snodhill Park. Littlebury's Directory and Gazetteer of Herefordshire 1876-7 shows the farm was occupied by one Biblica Jones.

This old muck spreader has assumed a new life, that of a water carrier. Immediately to the east of this spot the 1/25,000 OS map indicates a wood, however the land is now a field.

The farmhouse appears to be empty.

Oldtay Farm can be seen in the background.

The Black Mountains fill the horizon.

To the left of the old chapel are the ruins of Urishay Castle.

The structure on the site of Urishay Castle is in fact a ruined house, possibly dating from the 17th or 18th century, rather than a castle. The ruin does stand on the site of an earlier castle and a motte and bailey remain.

Oatley Farm viewed from near Urishay Castle.

Near New House Farm in the foothills of the Black Mountains

The ground is dropping into Booby Dingle, with Cefn Hill and Hay Bluff in the distance.

Country school.