Late 1700's - Early 1800's

A number of “squatters” started moving into the settlement, probably working in the local quarries. By long custom a squatter could claim “squatters rights” by marking out a house enclosure, building a chimney and hearth, lighting a fire and boiling a kettle before the commoners could evict him. By 1790 16 cottages were erected in this way and by 1813 a further 23 cottages were built.

The Gloucester to Hereford Canal reached Ledbury in 1798 and this could have been another reason for settlement by squatters who may have worked on the construction, although the whole canal was not completed until 1845. The decline of the canal followed the opening of the new railway from Worcester to Hereford in 1861. The construction of the railway and particularly the viaduct was probably the cause for more squatters in the area due to the number of construction and track workers. Wellington Heath was also given the nickname Monkey Island  at that time. This originated from the sight of all the building workers on ropes and scaffolding building the viaduct. It is said that the area became renowned for drunkenness and fighting at the two licensed premises in the village.

Only one of the old squatter’s cottages still exists in Jacks Lane and is a Grade 11 listed building. See Squatter's Cottage. It was vacant for over 50 years until in 2010 it was purchased by the current owners, was renovated and is now occupied again. 

There is evidence a windmill existed at the top of Ledbury Road next to Windmill Cottage. In 1798 insurance was taken out for the structure and in 1885 the property was sold. As it does not appear on the 1887 Ordnance Survey Sheet it is likely to have been demolished soon after the sale. A painting by landscape artist David Cox (1783 – 1859) possibly depicts the windmill or type of windmill. See The Windmill. 

Between 1790 and 1815 the ownership issue of squatters was determined. Those occupiers of enclosures who could prove “occupation” prior to 1793 were regarded as owners thereafter. By The Act for Enclosing Lands in the Parish of Wellington Heath 1813 the remaining disputed ownerships were to be sold at auction. Most lots were purchased by those living on their plots and some lots were purchased by local gentry. The Enclosure Map 1813 also proposes the designated widths of the village roads, for example The Common 30ft., Horse Road 20 ft., Floyds Lane 20ft., Church Lane 30ft. and Ledbury Road 30 ft. These were all confirmed in the Ledbury Enclosure Award 1816.

In 1841 a Tithe Map was drawn up detailing the field names and uses such as Arable, Hops, Pasture and Timber.