Montgomery Attractions

An attractive little town where Offa's Dike can be seen is Montgomery (pop. 970), 10mi/16km south of Welshpool. It was formerly the county town (at least in name) of the old county of Montgomeryshire, now part of the new county of Powys. The little town, which has many Elizabethan and Georgian houses, lies off the main road, and its railroad station is a mile from the town. It takes its name from Roger de Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury (d. about 1093), who conquered Powys. The castle, of which some remains exist above the town (good view), was built by Henry III in 1223. Montgomery was the birthplace of the poet George Herbert (1593-1663), whose brother Lord Herbert of Cherbury (1583-1648), the philosopher, also lived here for a time. In the 13th century parish church there is a monument to their father. The church also contains an early Norman font, carved misericords and a beautiful rood-screen, probably from the ruined abbey of Chirbury (Shropshire). The Town Hall is in the Georgian style.