History of Wellington Heath

Wellington Heath, originally named Walynton, later nicknamed Monkey Island, and once referred to as ‘Hell on Earth,’ is now a desirable place to live. Once common land: it was a backwater valley close to Ledbury, inhabited (late 1700 - early 1800) by quarrymen, farm workers and an assortment of squatters. Electricity and mains water only arrived in the early 1950’s. All the services that we think of as normal, arrived late to Wellington Heath. The Parish lanes still follow the narrow tracks of the 1700’s. But much has changed, and this History Website lets us look back through time.

The first written history was a memoir  by the inhabitants, created by the Wellington Heath WI in 1955, the original copy of which is held in the Parish Archives. Peter Garnett (a much-respected villager) wrote a more objective history, entitled ‘Portrait of Wellington Heath’, published in 2002, and available to be read and downloaded here 

The Monkey Island nickname originated from the workers on the Ledbury Viaduct (1860) who squatted in the valley. We were labelled ‘Hell on Earth’ by Ledbury residents due to the drunken and wild behaviour of some of the inhabitants. Fights outside the Swallow Cider House were common and seemed to be a “rite of passage” for men of the village.

World famous people lived at Hope End, the “big house”, where the families acted as the village squires for a number of years.

Today’s events are tomorrow’s history, and our memories may be of interest to others. This is a “living site”, and we welcome comments, and suggestions for other articles.

We are launching the site while still updating it so please keep visiting. We hope you find the local history interesting.

Please send any comments or historical contributions to howhenquiries@gmail.com