HISTORY OF HINDWELL

Welcome to Hindwell, a Grade 2 listed, Georgian Farmhouse situated in the beautiful, unspoiled lowland of the Rad nor Valley, at the foot of the Rad nor Forest, from where traditionally the HIND were said to have come down to drink at the WELL. The house overlooks the beautiful four and a half acre lake (or Well by tradition) and is of picturesque beauty enclosed by a backdrop of unspoilt Radnorshire hills. A destination once adorned by William Wordsworth himself.

In the Nineteenth Century, Hindwell became the Welsh Holiday retreat of the famous poet William Wordsworth, when Hindwell was owned by the Hutchinson Family.

William Wordsworth to Mary Hutchinson – 11th August 1810

“The house (Hindwell) is comfortable and its situation beside the pool, and the pool itself, quite charming and far beyond my expectations……..The view from the window is truly delightful and shows beautifully the great importance of still water in landscape……yesterday I caught a very nice fry, eleven, several of them more than half a pound a piece.”

The Romans built a fort adjacent to the lakes spring-fed waters and it is assumed that beneath the lake lies the site of an old Roman bathhouse.  Later in the Nineteenth Century, Hindwell was a stronghold of Quakerism.  Today the lake and the farmhouse form the centre of a traditional sheep, beef, pork and arable farm.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL HISTORY…

The Radnor Valley is steeped in archaeological history and has recently been featured in the BBC One documentary with Hugh Edwards – ‘How the West was won’.  The initial episode ‘The Story of Wales’ saw Huw walking through oak woodland on the Hindwell estate as the posts of the Hindwell Neolithic Palisades Enclosure sprang magically into view.   A truly remarkable programme highlighting the importance of the Radnor Valley during the Neolithic period.

Stay here at Hindwell and experience the beauty and solitude that was found by Wordsworth himself.  It’s magical charm and glorious setting make it a unique destination as yet undiscovered by the many!