Pictures of Shobdon

About Shobdon

Shobdon, first mentioned in the Domesday Book, remains today, very much as it always has been, a great agricultural area. All around are pleasant old farmhouses, set beside peaceful meadows, grazed by cattle and sheep. The quiet lanes are interspersed here and there with ancient black and white half timbered houses and cottages, most with colourful gardens and spacious lawns hidden behind neatly boxed hedges.

The summertimes, sees Shobdon come alive, for in the close-by airfield there is a delightful caravan park, used by both week-enders and holidaymakers, who come for the pleasures of the countryside and to view some of the historic treasures to be found in this beautiful old area.

A treasure of Shobdon is the church of St.John the Evangelist. It is believed the church was part of a 12th-century priory and that the order left the area. What remained of the church was restored in the mid-18th-century. It is of Norman origin but the cool interior is pure Gothic splendour. There is some exquisite stained glass which dates 1753 and a font with magnificent carved lions that belonged to the original church. There are many other reminders of the past including a pair of elaborate chairs.

Nearby, you can see what are known as 'The Shobdon Arches' these are from the original 12th-century church and consist of the chancel arch and the arches to two Norman doorways.

Shobdon has shops and local inns and public houses. There is fishing in the area and a local antique shop. It is but a short distance from Leominster.