Rhydspence
Herefordshire
HR3 6EU
01497 831262
The Rhydspence is an historic timber-framed inn right on the English-Welsh border (photo 1). There has been a tavern on the site since 1380 when it may have been used by pilgrims, but the present building dates from the 16th century. It was used at the time to cater for drovers from Wales and Ireland using the Black Ox Trail to take cattle and sheep to markets in Hereford, Gloucester and even London. In later years it was a coaching inn, and there is an old coaching jack on display in the hall.
The timbered two storey entrance porch has a room on the first floor and is in a style typical of the English-Welsh border (photo 3).
The pub is just in England but the border is marked by a stream running through the garden just to the right of photo 3. It’s quite a large pub, but mostly unaltered inside with several small beamed rooms. It’s a popular dining pub with a mix of pub favourites and some classy specials. There are eight letting rooms, all ensuite with one of them a four poster in the oldest part of the pub.
The Rhydspence was where I had my first pint in a pub after they reopened following the first full lockdown due to Covid19 in the summer of 2020. A very welcome pint of Wye Valley Butty Bach!
