Dunfield House (originally Downfield House) is a Grade II listed building tucked under the slopes of Bradnor Hill, where, incidentally, there is the highest 18-hole golf course in England.

The house stands in a raised position very close to the Radnorshire-Herefordshire border and has fine views across the valley to Hergest Ridge and up the valley into Wales. Rumour has it that there existed on the site an ecclesiastical building (with holy spring) long before the House itself was built.

Be that as it may the history of the House can be traced back to the time of Charles I. However, many topographers seem to have missed the building in the intervening period.

For example, Taylor marks it in 1786 but while the 1" O.S. map of 1833 shows it the 1840 tithe map does not! Much addition, alteration and improvement was carried out in the 19th Century by the then owner, a Mr Miles, who bought the property in 1830, and nowadays many people think Dunfield a Victorian Mansion.

However closer inspection will reveal a staircase dating back much farther than the good queen, with some glass in the staircase window possibly even pre-dating the House itself. The House was requisitioned during the war and housed American Servicemen.

Churchill is reputed to have visited for a top level meeting before the D-day landings and Patten to have been billeted there. Rumours abound - some say that it was here that Conan Doyle got the idea for "The Hound of the Baskervilles" from tales of a dog that roamed Hergest Ridge!

Dunfield's original grounds were vast, but the present owners still retain 15 acres around the House, with ample space for recreation, meditation etc.

For more historical information see Parry (Hereford Records Office AM83) or Historic Parks and Gardens of Herefordshire published in 2001 by David Whitehead.

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