Hanmer Village

The village through the centuries

Hanmer village sits in peaceful tranquillity by its shining mere overlooked by its large church. A public path runs through meadow and woodland down the east side of the mere, or glacial lake, which is a quiet refuge for many water birds including Crested Grebe, Swans, Canada Geese, Moorhen and friendly Mallard. St. Chad's enjoys one of the most striking of settings possible for any church. From the mere-side road the visitor passes through ornate iron gates, which were designed by Robert Davies of Bersham, into a large graveyard which sweeps uphill to the church. 

St Chad across Hanmer Mere

Around Church Square to the east of the church are the early 18th century vicarage and the half-timbered Cottage, the oldest house in the village. Closer to the mere down the main street is the 'picture postcard' thatched, black-and-white Magpie Cottage. 

Facing the west front of the church is one of the oldest schools in Wales, having been in continuous use since its opening in 1676.  The Welsh Assembly sympathetically redeveloped it in 2001 to a very high standard. 

Hanmer probably takes its name from the Anglo-Saxon Hagena who established a holding there which acquired the name of Hagenamere.

Click History above for more topics.

Updated 9th November 2011 by Bill Barlow

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