Callow is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England, about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of Hereford. The church is dedicated to St Mary.

Callow
St Mary's church
Callow is located in Herefordshire
Callow
Callow
Location within Herefordshire
OS grid referenceSO4934
Unitary authority
Ceremonial county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townHEREFORD
Postcode districtHR2
Dialling code01981
PoliceWest Mercia
FireHereford and Worcester
AmbulanceWest Midlands
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Herefordshire
52°0′18″N 2°44′14″W / 52.00500°N 2.73722°W / 52.00500; -2.73722


Callow is a small village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. It is located approximately four miles south of Hereford and is known for its rural setting and historic parish church, St. Mary’s.

Geography

Callow is situated in the West Midlands region of England and falls within the Hereford and South Herefordshire parliamentary constituency. The village is surrounded by farmland and gentle hills characteristic of the Herefordshire countryside. Nearby localities include Aconbury and the hamlet of Portway.

History

The history of Callow dates back to the medieval period, with evidence of earlier human habitation in the surrounding area. St. Mary’s Church, a Grade II listed building, is the village’s most notable historic landmark. The current church structure was rebuilt in 1830 by architect L. Johnson and expanded in 1884 by Lloyd Oswald. The church was closed for worship in 1994 but remains a significant architectural and historical feature of the village.

St. Mary’s Church

The church is built from squared and rock-faced sandstone with sandstone dressings, topped with a Welsh slate roof. It features a west tower, a two-bay nave, a one-bay chancel, a vestry, and an organ chamber. Inside, the church contains a 13th-century font, various wall monuments from the earlier church, and stained-glass windows commemorating notable local figures, including Caroline Horton and John Horton.

Governance

Callow is governed at the local level by the Callow and Haywood Parish Council, which also oversees the neighboring parishes of Haywood and Grafton. The parish council addresses local issues and represents the community within the wider governance framework of Herefordshire Council.

Community and Land Use

The village maintains a rural character, with most of the land used for agriculture. Callow does not have significant commercial or residential development, preserving its historic and pastoral setting. The surrounding area is popular for walking and countryside activities.

Notable Landmarks

St. Mary’s Church: A Grade II listed building noted for its architectural significance and historical connections.

Farmland and Countryside: Callow is surrounded by agricultural land that contributes to its rural charm and local economy.


References

"Church of St Mary, Callow." Historic England. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1166802

"Callow and Haywood Parish Council." Callow Haywood Parish Council. https://callowhaywoodpc.org.uk/

"Church of St Mary, Callow." British Listed Buildings. https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101166802-church-of-st-mary-callow

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  Media related to Callow, Herefordshire at Wikimedia Commons