Hergest Ridge
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2019) |
| Hergest Ridge | |
|---|---|
 The summit | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 426 m (1,398 ft) |
| Prominence | 158 m (518 ft) |
| Parent peak | Gwaunceste Hill |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Coordinates | 52°11′56″N 3°05′34″W / 52.19896°N 3.09291°W |
| Geography | |
  Hergest Ridge Hergest Ridge on Herefordshire/Powys Border | |
| Location | Herefordshire / Powys, UK |
| OS grid | SO254562 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 148 |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hiking |
Hergest Ridge is a large elongated hill which traverses the border between England and Wales in the United Kingdom, between the town of Kington in Herefordshire and the village of Gladestry in Powys. Its highest point, which is in England, is 426 metres (1,398 ft) high. It has a topographic prominence of 157.6 metres (517 ft) and thus is listed as a Marilyn.[1]
"Hergest" is pronounced to rhyme with 'hardest' with a hard "g" (as in "garden").[citation needed]
On Offa's Dyke Path
The Offa's Dyke Path waymarked long distance footpath leads along the ridge. The path passes close by the highest point of the ridge and the adjacent trig point.
Victorian racecourse
A disused Victorian circular country racecourse is sited on the hill. It is clearly marked on Ordnance Survey maps and is still visible on the ground.[2][3] The racecourse was popular between 1825 and 1846. It replaced an earlier racecourse on nearby Bradnor Hill just to the north of Kington town, which dates from 1770. Horse races continued here in the summer until around 1880. With the panoramic views on all sides, they were popular with the local gentry, squirearchy and farming community.[4][failed verification]
Upland sheep grazing
During the Second World War the hill was cultivated, but has now reverted to rough sheep grazing and moorland, and is partly covered by bracken and gorse.
Inspiration
The ridge inspired an album by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, Hergest Ridge. Oldfield was a resident of the area during the writing and recording of his albums Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn. Ommadawn was actually recorded in his nearby house, The Beacon. The albums were reissued with bonus material in June 2010.[5]
At the end of Ommadawn is a short song entitled On Horseback. The last lines of the lyrics are as follows: So if you feel a little glum, to Hergest Ridge you should come. In summer, winter, rain or sun, it's good to be on horseback.
References
- ^ "Hergest Ridge". www.hill-bagging.co.uk. Hill Bagging. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Heaton, Tim (2003). "SO2656 : Old racecourse, Hergest Ridge". Geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "Hergest Ridge". www.visitherefordshire.co.uk. Visit Herefordshire. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Heaton, Chris (2007). "SO2656 : Descending off Hergest Ridge". Geograph.org.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ "Classic Rock presents Prog - Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn reviews", Classic Rock, May 2010
External links
- "Herefordshire Commons Survey Hergest Ridge Common," (PDF). Herefordshire Archaeology Report 232. Herefordshire Council. 2007.