St Clydog
Clodock, Herefordshire
This is a quintessential Borders church, built of red sandstone with a sturdy, castle like tower, and in a very rural setting. Its nave is Norman, the chancel a little later, and the tower later still.
Legend has it that St David himself stayed in this remote spot for a time while making his way through Wales. St David's church dates from the early 12th century, but is almost certainly built on the site of an earlier church.
It is said that the ruins of St David's church attracted William de Lacy here. One of the Norman Marcher Lords, he renounced the world, and with a handful of like minded men, established an abbey here in about 1100.
After the Dissolution it fell in to ruins, but parts have been restored and house a hotel and tea rooms.
The ruins are atmospheric, set off by the mountainous green landscape.
