Black and white village

The term black and white village refers to several old English villages, typically in Herefordshire, a county and unitary district in the West Midlands region of the United Kingdom.

The term "black and white" derives from presence of many timbered and half-timbered houses in the area, some dating from mediaeval times. The buildings' dark oak beams are exposed on the outside, with white painted walls between. The numbers of houses surviving in this style in the villages creates a very distinctive impression and differs from building styles outside this area.

The phrase 'Black and White' is possibly misleading, as it suggests that the houses looked like that when first built. In fact it was probably only during the late Victorian age that it become fashionable to finish the buildings in a black and white veneer. In earlier times, the oak would not have been stained but retained its natural colour and the walls would have reflected the colour of the local clay, generally a pink colour, rather than a white whitewash lime.

A 62-mile tourist trail known as the "Black and White Trail" was developed in 1987 as a means of encouraging tourists to take a closer look at the beautiful Herefordshire villages, heritage and countryside. The trail was developed mainly for travel by car, but it is also possible to make the journey by bicycle. Many coach tours now take in the trail also.

Locations on the trail

* Dilwyn
* Eardisley
* Kingsland
* Weobley
* Wigmore
* Yarpole
* Lyonshall
* Pembridge

External links

* [http://www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=13&param1=1&areaid=&feature=2&GroupId=5&venue=1401026&vnt=&fnt=&easi=&Catid= Visit Herefordshire website - details of the Black and White Trail]