SPAB Wales and Marches Group visit to Churches of the Black Mountains

13 August 2026
11.00am - 4.30pm

Join the Wales and Marches Group for a tour of two decorated historic churches in Herefordshire.

The Grade II* St. Michaels and Grade I listed St. Margaret.  Both churches are small and follow the style of the Black Mountains churches.  Despite their modest size both are renown for the quality of their decorative interiors with wall paintings at St. Michael’s and carved rood screen and loft at St. Margaret’s

The group will meet at the Bridge Inn, Michaelchurch Escley, where parking is available and walk the short distance to St. Michaels Church.  The existing building is said to date from the 12th century but includes earlier fabric and wall paintings dating from the 13th Century. We will spend the morning exploring this church.

Buffet lunch at the Bridge Inn.  The owners have also allowed us to use their carpark and WC facilities for the duration of the visit. 

In the afternoon we will drive the three miles on to St. Margarets where parking is available in the churchyard.  We will explore the church with a tour from the inspecting architect. The decorative features at St. Margaret includes the highly decorated 15th century rood screen and loft.

The group will disperse from here with recommendation on other nearby churches and places of interest to visit. 

You will need

Please wear warm, comfortable layers and sturdy and closed-toed shoes. We recommend bringing a raincoat or umbrella as part of it will be outdoors.

We will supply morning refreshments. Lunch is included in the price of the vist. 

Accessibility

• The building is accessible on a flat path with one step into the church. There may be uneven surfaces in and around the church
• There is ample parking at the Bridge Inn where toilets are available and in the churchyard at St. Margarets but please note there are no toilet facilities at the churches.
• Hay on Wye is just 9 miles away

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email membership@spab.org.uk.

Photos and filming:We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. Participants may take photos and short videos for personal use, with permission of the course leader and all other participants in frame. If you want to post on social media, please message SPAB's Comms Team (press@spab.org.uk or @spab1877) for permission. If your material is good, we might ask to share it with our followers.

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Photo credit: St Margaret's Church, Newton St Margaret © Deborah Johnson