Things to do in Presteigne

History of Presteigne

So are so many things to do in Presteigne, not least embrace its history. As Presthemede (the priests’ meadow), Presteigne was identified in the Doomsday Book as a settlement around St Andrew’s Church. By the 12th century it was owned by local big wig family, the Mortimers – you’ll see their name quite a bit around this area as they ruled huge areas of the Marches until the 15th century. During Tudor times, it became a market and malting town, locally growing grains to produce beer.

Presteigne became the county town of Radnorshire in the 1500’s and remained so for over 400 years. Radnorshire was abolished in a county shake up in 1974 and Presteigne (Llanandras in Welsh), now resides in Powys.

Today the town has earned plaudits for its strong volunteer culture. In the 2024 & 2025 Sunday Times Best Places to Live guides Presteigne has been named as one of the best places to live in the UK.

In 2024 Presteigne and Norton was named the first Dark Skies Community in Wales and given International Dark Skies status and a centre for dark skies tourism in Wales.

There’s plenty of things to do in Presteigne – here’s just a taster:

Places to eat and drink in Presteigne

There’s plenty to enjoy when you’re looking for places to eat in Presteigne, from sit downs to take aways.

Pubs in Presteigne

The Radnorshire Arms
The Radnorshire Arms Hotel, Presteigne is a stunning Grade II listed building that can trace its history back to the 1600s. The Jacobean building has original timbers and a wealth of oak panelled walls. You can feel the weight of history as soon as you step inside.
Family run, the Radnorshire Arms, has 18 bedrooms, a large timber framed bar and an historic dining room. You can enjoy a Sunday Carvery, light lunches, traditional dinners, plus there’s an extensive kids’ menu and plenty of seating outside.

The Royal Oak
The Royal Oak is an 18th century pub on the High Street with a really traditional pub feel. Serving pub food to suit everyone from an extensive list of burgers to loaded fries, steaks to sides and deserts to cheeses. Check out their Facebook page for opening hours and more.

And here are few of the other pubs in Presteigne:

The Dukes Arms – Broad Street which dates from about the 1480’s.

The Farmers Inn – Hereford Street – a traditional 18th century family run pub.

There’s also some very enticing Presteigne restaurants:

Wild Thyme Italian It’s not all about timber and beers on tap. Fancy an Italian? Try Wild Thyme Italian on the High Street. From great coffee and pastries, light lunches to traditional Italian dinners – it’s a bit of Pisa in Presteigne! More details can be found on their Facebook page

Daphne’s, also on the High Street serves a slice of Naples to diners! Tradionally made pizza are on offer alongside Italian vegetarian dishes like farinata. Check out their Instagram page for further information.

Coffee House – pick up a coffee

Victoria’s Fish Bar – bag a chippy tea from the Presteigne chip shop

The Cabin – for your Chinese take away

Presteigne Shops

There’s plenty of quirky little shops to while away an hour or two in Presteigne including:

The Workhouse Rugs and Textiles – carpets, clothes, jewellery and home accessories. There’s also a cafe The Workhouse Gallery

The Old Shop – handmade blankets, clothing, jewellery and ceramics among much more The Old Shop

Cole’s Curiosities – a creative boutique selling artifacts, gifts, musical instruments, nostalgia and antiquities Cole’s Curiosities

Presteigne’s place in gallows history

Presteigne is on the historical map due to one very sad story from the 1800’s. Reader discretion advised!

Mary Morgan was born around 1788 and became a servant at Maesllwch Castle, just up the road at Glasbury-on-Wye.

It was the family home of the Wilkins family and Mary joined as kitchen staff before becoming undercook. Described as pretty and intelligent, it’s documented that the gentleman of the house – Walter Wilkins Junior, became ‘taken with her’ – that’s what it was called back in the day if you fancied someone! The ‘source’ of Mary’s pregnancy in 1804 is surrounded in confusion – it may have been a fellow servant, or it could have been Wilkins – the master of the house.

Correspondence, seen by the local author Jennifer Green whose book ‘The Morning of her Day’ investigates the Mary Morgan story in great detail, suggests that Mr Wilkins said he would maintain the child if Mary said he was the father – something Mary refused to do.

Tragedy strikes

The story goes that Mary gave birth, alone, to a baby girl who she later killed by trying to sever the head from the body. She hid the remains in the mattress of her bed. Once the crime was discovered, Mary was taken to Presteigne and put in the cells. These can still be seen in the Judges Lodgings Museum in the town, where she remained for 6 months. On 11th April 1805 she appeared in court before Mr Justice George Hardinge who was also an ‘associate’ of her employer and possibly her dead child’s father, Walter Wilkins.

Shocking end

Jennifer Green’s research shows the trial was much anticipated and the courtroom was full. 12 ‘just men and true’ were selected from the local gentry to sit on the jury. Among them was Walter Wilkins. Mary had chosen ‘gay apparel’ confident that Mr Wilkins would save her from the gallows. To cut a long story short, the jury returned a verdict of guilty. 2 days later Mary was taken from her cell by cart to Gallows Lane on the edge of town and hung from a tree. The story says that she was so weak and light from her ordeal that a man was paid to hang onto her legs until her neck broke.

It’s said that Judge Hardinge regularly visited Mary’s unconsecrated grave when he returned to Presteigne to hold court Sessions. Her final resting place in the churchyard of St Andrews was later marked by 2 stones, one of which bore the inscription: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her,” and was paid for by locals.

Historic Lodgings and Walking Trails

The Judge’s Lodgings

Award-winning 1870s Judge’s Lodging in Presteigne, Wales in Broad Street are the restored quarters of Victorian judges who came to Presteigne to mete out justice for the county of Radnorshire. Part of the original Shire Hall and Court of Justice, the lodgings have received huge acclaim from the likes of King Charles III (when the Prince of Wales) and historian Lucy Worsley.

Visitors can explore how visiting Judges, and their servants would have lived, and it’s all lit only by oil and gas lamps for that authentic feel! There’s also the court room and holding cell to have a nose in. It’s a properly historic experience for all ages.

The Warden

After a visit to the lodgings, you may feel like a walk away from its gas lit interior. On the outskirts of town is a wooded area called The Warden. With walks and great views, it’s the site of what was once the town’s motte and bailey castle. Thought to have been built before the Norman Invasion of 1066.

In the 18th century the area became a public pleasure ground for a bit of promenading. After WWII the site was neglected until 2003 when a team of local volunteers brought it back to its former glory.

There are walks, picnic tables, open spaces and trails. There’s also a meadow opposite the entrance to The Warden which is a wintering habitat for invertebrates and another area where you can picnic.

More things to do in Presteigne

All of the above are just a one-mile drive from Rockbridge Country Holiday Park and all under fabulous dark skies! There’s also Presteigne swimming pool in the local leisure centre and Presteigne library situated in the Market Hall.

At Rockbridge you can become the owner of holiday homes in mid-Wales, visit the park with your tourer, motorhome or tent or enjoy a holiday in a self-catering lodge and immerse yourself in this historic border town.