THE HISTORY OF BROMFIELD
The village of Bromfield is located at the confluence of the river Teme and the River Onny. The village is situated to the north of Ludlow in the broad river valley, with the rich farmland of the Corvedale to the north and the upland area of Mortimer Forest to the south. It is one of several small rural settlements that are located in the river valleys of the Teme and Onny.
The name of the village is thought to be taken from “brom” or “broom” which is the yellow flowering shrub. Bromfield or “Broomfield” refers to the broom covered fields that, no doubt, were a characteristic of the area.
The Church of St Mary the Virgin was a Benedictine Priory church that is now the Parish Church. Built in 1155, it has 13th and 16th Century additions and was restored in 1890 by C Hodgson-Fowler. It is of rubble and ashlar sandstone construction with a plain tile roof. A blocked Norman chancel arch forms the east end with a large round arch to the north. The tower forming the porch to the northwest is probably of the late 13th Century. It is worth going into the church to admire the ceiling inside, it is quite spectacular.
The Priory Gatehouse probably dates from the 14th Century and is constructed in red sandstone rubble with a timber framed top storey
To the south of the village is Oakly Park, which was once famous for its Druid Oaks. In the 18th Century the red brick hall was built and is now the home of the 14th Earl of Plymouth. The present Earl continues to own almost all of the dwellings in the village and is the largest single employer