History of Kington

The place-name Kington is recorded in 1086 in Domesday as Chingtune, its meaning commemorates a royal manor. The area of the town so appointed was that on the hill above the present town on which the parish church of St Mary the Virgin now proudly stands with its once separated defensive tower dating from 1200.

Although the town was supported by an earthen motte and bailey castle about this time, the main centre of importance was nearby Huntington with its protecting solid stone castle: indeed, from 1270 Kington was registered in the Hundred of Huntington. However, the commercial strength of Kington with its eight annual fairs, situated on the direct route of the drovers road winding eastwards over Hergest Ridge, saw the growth of Kington as the main market town in the area, and the gradual decline of Huntington.

Present Kington, situated in the valley of the River Arrow, was originally called Kyneton in the Fields by the inhabitants of Old Kington who dwelt around Castle Hill and on Church Bank. It is possible that this 13th century settlement was built on land initially designated for the Saxon Three Field or Open Field System. New Kington still retains its medieval grid pattern of streets and back lanes which can be explored and enjoyed..

Aspects of the Industrial Revolution increased the significance of Kington: the building of the horse drawn tramway linking the Brecon Canal with Kington in 1820 and later the lime works at Burlingjobb to the west of the town; the foundation of Meredith's Iron Foundry in the opening years of the 19th century; and the coming of the railway in 1857, all increased the growth and importance of the town.

You can discover much of Kington's past by visiting the Kington Museum, by following "Ken Reeves Walks" which look at the present buildings and record something of their past history or by a walk round Kington looking at 6 bronze plaques (shown on the map, and in "Kington Past" a new leaflet) which explains some of the aspects of the town's development.

If you have time and transport you can find within easy reach of Kington Iron Age Hill Forts, a Stone Age Burial Chamber, Castles, a Cathedral, an Abbey, museums, a selection of churches of different ages and styles, historic houses and some ancient battlefields.