A44 road
Encyclopedia
The A44 is a major road in the United Kingdom
that runs from Oxford
in southern England
to Aberystwyth
in west Wales
.
to Aberystwyth
. No changes were made to the route of the A44 in the early years. After the Second World War, the section between Rhayader
and Llangurig
was renumbered A470
, as part of the creation of a through route between South
and North Wales
. The A44 was extended to Oxford
in the 1990s, replacing part of the A34
when the M40 motorway
was completed.
In 2004 a bypass was constructed around Wyre Piddle
. As a result, the A44 was rerouted down the A4538 between Evesham
and Worcester
and therefore no longer goes down Pershore
High Street. The old route is now known as the B4084.
junction with the A40 road
on the northern outskirts of Oxford in Oxfordshire
. It has a grade separated
junction with the A34 road (leading to the M40 motorway
and Winchester
). From here, the road runs northwest, and has a 2 miles (3.2 km) section of dual-carriageway close to the village of Kidlington
before reaching the town of Woodstock
, home to Blenheim Palace
. The road then reaches the main market street in Chipping Norton
before entering the Cotswolds
. The road here has many hills and turns, and is single-carriageway with some tight bends, with not much opportunity for overtaking.
The road then enters Gloucestershire
, and the town of Moreton in Marsh, before sweeping up through woodland until it reaches Fish Hill near Broadway
in Worcestershire
. At this point, it becomes 3-lane and descends steeply through some sharp bends. It then bypasses Broadway before meeting up with the A46
/A435
Evesham
bypass.
and the town of Pershore
before reaching the crossroads near Spetchley
. The road then crosses the M5 motorway
and onto Worcester
's eastern bypass (A440). It then turns south along the bypass before rejoining its original line west into the city itself. The road passes the Cathedral
, crosses the River Severn
and then meets the western end of the bypass.
After leaving Worcester, the A44 continues west past the village of Broadwas
, following the River Teme
until Knightwick
where it climbs over Bringsty Common before descending towards Bromyard
. The A44 bypasses Bromyard town centre and heads west over the downs to Bredenbury
. It then crosses the River Lugg
before meeting the A49
Leominster
bypass, where it turns left and heads through the town centre.
. The road then heads towards the black and white village
s of Eardisland
and Pembridge
. After Pembridge the A44 meanders west, passing numerous orchards en-route, before reaching Lyonshall
, where the road meets the A480
and passes Offa's Dyke
. A couple of miles later and the A44 meets Kington
. The road bypasses the town and follows the River Arrow before reaching the Welsh border.
Leaving Herefordshire
and entering Powys
, the road continues through Walton
and passes the village of New Radnor
, before turning south to Llanfihangel Nant Melan
. The road then turns northwest to do some serious hill-climbing before winding its way downhill to a plateau. A few miles later it reaches Penybont
and Crossgates
, where it meets the A483 road
. Eight miles further the A44 reaches Rhayader
.
for 9 miles to Llangurig
, following the course of the River Wye
. Leaving Llangurig, the road starts clinging to hillsides as it winds its way through the Cambrian Mountains
. A few miles later, the River Wye crosses under the road and up the hill to the north.
The next hamlet is Eisteddfa Gurig, which at 1339 feet (408 metres) above sea level is the highest point en route and the location of the iconic Elvis Rock
. The A44 then descends into the remote settlement of Ponterwyd
. The road passes several abandoned mines en route to the villages of Goginan and Capel Bangor
, where it meets the River Rheidol. The road then passes the village of Llanbadarn Fawr
, continuing for its last mile through the outskirts of Aberystwyth
before terminating on the A487
at Penglais Hill.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that runs from Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in southern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
to Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
in west Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
History
The original (1923) route of the A44 was Chipping NortonChipping Norton
Chipping Norton is a market town in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, about southwest of Banbury.-History until the 17th century:...
to Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
. No changes were made to the route of the A44 in the early years. After the Second World War, the section between Rhayader
Rhayader
Rhayader is a market town and community in Powys, Mid Wales. It has a population of 2,075, and is the first town on the banks of the River Wye, from its source on the Plynlimon range of the Cambrian Mountains....
and Llangurig
Llangurig
Llangurig is a village in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire, mid Wales, lying on the River Wye. The population is 670.Llangurig is reputed to be the highest village in Wales at an altitude of 1000 feet...
was renumbered A470
A470 road
The A470 is a major long-distance connective spine road in Wales, running from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It covers approximately 186 miles , over a zig-zagging route through the entirety of the country's mountainous central region, including the Brecon Beacons and...
, as part of the creation of a through route between South
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
and North Wales
North Wales
North Wales is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales. It is bordered to the south by the counties of Ceredigion and Powys in Mid Wales and to the east by the counties of Shropshire in the West Midlands and Cheshire in North West England...
. The A44 was extended to Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
in the 1990s, replacing part of the A34
A34 road
The A34 is a major road in England. It runs from the A6042 in Salford to Winchester in Hampshire. It forms a large part of the major trunk route from Southampton, via Oxford, to Birmingham, The Potteries and Manchester...
when the M40 motorway
M40 motorway
The M40 motorway is a motorway in the British transport network that forms a major part of the connection between London and Birmingham. Part of this road forms a section of the unsigned European route E05...
was completed.
In 2004 a bypass was constructed around Wyre Piddle
Wyre Piddle
Wyre Piddle is a village and civil parish in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire, England. It is on the River Avon, near where that river is joined by the Piddle Brook - between Evesham and Pershore...
. As a result, the A44 was rerouted down the A4538 between Evesham
Evesham
Evesham is a market town and a civil parish in the Local Authority District of Wychavon in the county of Worcestershire, England with a population of 22,000. It is located roughly equidistant between Worcester, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon...
and Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
and therefore no longer goes down Pershore
Pershore
Pershore is a market town in Worcestershire, England, on the banks of the River Avon. Pershore is in the Wychavon district and is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2001 census the population was 7,304...
High Street. The old route is now known as the B4084.
Oxford–Evesham
The road begins at a roundaboutRoundabout
A roundabout is the name for a road junction in which traffic moves in one direction around a central island. The word dates from the early 20th century. Roundabouts are common in many countries around the world...
junction with the A40 road
A40 road
The A40 is a major trunk road connecting London to Fishguard, Wales and officially called The London to Fishguard Trunk Road in all legal documents and Acts...
on the northern outskirts of Oxford in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
. It has a grade separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
junction with the A34 road (leading to the M40 motorway
M40 motorway
The M40 motorway is a motorway in the British transport network that forms a major part of the connection between London and Birmingham. Part of this road forms a section of the unsigned European route E05...
and Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
). From here, the road runs northwest, and has a 2 miles (3.2 km) section of dual-carriageway close to the village of Kidlington
Kidlington
Kidlington is a large village and civil parish between the River Cherwell and the Oxford Canal, north of Oxford and southwest of Bicester.-History:...
before reaching the town of Woodstock
Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Woodstock is a small town northwest of Oxford in Oxfordshire, England. It is the location of Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Winston Churchill was born in Blenheim Palace in 1874 and is buried in the nearby village of Bladon....
, home to Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between...
. The road then reaches the main market street in Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton is a market town in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire district of Oxfordshire, England, about southwest of Banbury.-History until the 17th century:...
before entering the Cotswolds
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are a range of hills in west-central England, sometimes called the Heart of England, an area across and long. The area has been designated as the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty...
. The road here has many hills and turns, and is single-carriageway with some tight bends, with not much opportunity for overtaking.
The road then enters Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is a county in South West England. The county comprises part of the Cotswold Hills, part of the flat fertile valley of the River Severn, and the entire Forest of Dean....
, and the town of Moreton in Marsh, before sweeping up through woodland until it reaches Fish Hill near Broadway
Broadway, Worcestershire
Broadway is a village and civil parish in the Worcestershire part of the Cotswolds in England.Often referred to as the "Jewel of the Cotswolds", Broadway village lies beneath Fish Hill on the western Cotswold escarpment...
in Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
. At this point, it becomes 3-lane and descends steeply through some sharp bends. It then bypasses Broadway before meeting up with the A46
A46 road
The A46 is an A road in England. It starts east of Bath, Somerset and ends in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, but it does not form a continuous route. Large portions of the old road have been lost, bypassed, or replaced by motorway development...
/A435
A435 road
The A435 is a main road in England running between Birmingham and Cirencester .-Birmingham to Alcester:...
Evesham
Evesham
Evesham is a market town and a civil parish in the Local Authority District of Wychavon in the county of Worcestershire, England with a population of 22,000. It is located roughly equidistant between Worcester, Cheltenham and Stratford-upon-Avon...
bypass.
Evesham–Leominster
On reaching the northern end of the Evesham bypass the A44 heads northwest, passing Wyre PiddleWyre Piddle
Wyre Piddle is a village and civil parish in the Wychavon district of Worcestershire, England. It is on the River Avon, near where that river is joined by the Piddle Brook - between Evesham and Pershore...
and the town of Pershore
Pershore
Pershore is a market town in Worcestershire, England, on the banks of the River Avon. Pershore is in the Wychavon district and is part of the West Worcestershire parliamentary constituency. At the 2001 census the population was 7,304...
before reaching the crossroads near Spetchley
Spetchley
Spetchley is a hamlet located in the County of Worcestershire, England, and lends its name to the Civil Parish in which the hamlet is located....
. The road then crosses the M5 motorway
M5 motorway
The M5 is a motorway in England. It runs from a junction with the M6 at West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter in Devon. Heading south-west, the M5 runs east of West Bromwich and west of Birmingham through Sandwell Valley...
and onto Worcester
Worcester
The City of Worcester, commonly known as Worcester, , is a city and county town of Worcestershire in the West Midlands of England. Worcester is situated some southwest of Birmingham and north of Gloucester, and has an approximate population of 94,000 people. The River Severn runs through the...
's eastern bypass (A440). It then turns south along the bypass before rejoining its original line west into the city itself. The road passes the Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
, crosses the River Severn
River Severn
The River Severn is the longest river in Great Britain, at about , but the second longest on the British Isles, behind the River Shannon. It rises at an altitude of on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales...
and then meets the western end of the bypass.
After leaving Worcester, the A44 continues west past the village of Broadwas
Broadwas
Broadwas or Broadwas-on-Teme, is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills district of Worcestershire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 307...
, following the River Teme
River Teme
The River Teme rises in Mid Wales, south of Newtown in Powys, and flows through Knighton where it crosses the border into England down to Ludlow in Shropshire, then to the north of Tenbury Wells on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border there, on its way to join the River Severn south of Worcester...
until Knightwick
Knightwick
Knightwick is a village and civil parish in the Malvern Hills District in the county of Worcestershire, England.-External links:*...
where it climbs over Bringsty Common before descending towards Bromyard
Bromyard
Bromyard is a town in northeast Herefordshire, England with a population of approximately 4,000. It lies near to the county border with Worcestershire on the A44 between Leominster and Worcester. Bromyard has a number of traditional half-timbered pubs and some buildings dating back to Norman times...
. The A44 bypasses Bromyard town centre and heads west over the downs to Bredenbury
Bredenbury
Bredenbury is a village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. It is located 20 km northeast of Hereford. The village lies on the A44 road, 5 km from Bromyard and 13 km from Leominster....
. It then crosses the River Lugg
River Lugg
The River Lugg , rises near Llangynllo, Powys. It flows through the border town of Presteigne, Wales then through Herefordshire, England, including the town of Leominster, south of which it is met by a tributary, the River Arrow, then to a confluence with the River Wye, which it joins at Mordiford,...
before meeting the A49
A49 road
The A49 is a major road in western England, which traverses the Welsh Marches region. It runs north from Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire via Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Shrewsbury and Whitchurch, then continues through central Cheshire to Warrington and Wigan before terminating at its junction with...
Leominster
Leominster
Leominster is a market town in Herefordshire, England, located approximately north of the city of Hereford and south of Ludlow, at...
bypass, where it turns left and heads through the town centre.
Leominster–Rhayader
After leaving Leominster, the A44 crosses the River Arrow to bypass MonklandMonkland
Monkland is a small village in Herefordshire, England, located around west of Leominster.It lies off the A44 and is the start of the Black and White Village Trail....
. The road then heads towards the black and white village
Black and white village
The term black and white village refers to several old English villages, typically in the county of Herefordshire, West Midlands of England.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' black...
s of Eardisland
Eardisland
Eardisland is a village and civil parish on the River Arrow about west of the market town of Leominster in Herefordshire. The civil parish includes the hamlets of Upper Hardwick, Lower Hardwick and Lower Burton....
and Pembridge
Pembridge
Pembridge is a village located just south of the River Arrow on the A44 between Leominster and Kington in Herefordshire, England.Describing itself as The Jewel in the Crown of the Black and White Village Trail, Pembridge has a history stretching back at least eight hundred years and is notable for...
. After Pembridge the A44 meanders west, passing numerous orchards en-route, before reaching Lyonshall
Lyonshall
Lyonshall is a historic village and civil parish in Herefordshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 750.- Location :...
, where the road meets the A480
A480 road
The A480 is a minor A road in Herefordshire. The road runs from Hereford to LyonshallThe road starts at a junction with the A438 road. Near Stretton Sugwas the road reaches a roundabout where the A4103 road ends. The road also passes through or near Credenhill, Mansell lacy, Yazor and Norton Canon,...
and passes Offa's Dyke
Offa's Dyke
Offa's Dyke is a massive linear earthwork, roughly followed by some of the current border between England and Wales. In places, it is up to wide and high. In the 8th century it formed some kind of delineation between the Anglian kingdom of Mercia and the Welsh kingdom of Powys...
. A couple of miles later and the A44 meets Kington
Kington
- Places :In England* Kington * Kington, Herefordshire* Kington, Worcestershire* Kington Langley, Wiltshire* Kington Magna, Dorset* Kington St Michael, Wiltshire* West Kington, Wiltshire- People :* L. Brent Kington, American Artist and Metalsmith...
. The road bypasses the town and follows the River Arrow before reaching the Welsh border.
Leaving Herefordshire
Herefordshire
Herefordshire is a historic and ceremonial county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire" NUTS 2 region. It also forms a unitary district known as the...
and entering Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, the road continues through Walton
Walton, Powys
Walton is a small village in Powys, Wales, 3 miles east of New Radnor on the A44 road.The village lies in the ancient county of Radnorshire, approximately one mile from the border with Herefordshire and England....
and passes the village of New Radnor
New Radnor
New Radnor is a village in Powys, mid Wales. It was the original county town of Radnorshire. The population today is around 400, a higher than normal proportion of which are pensioners...
, before turning south to Llanfihangel Nant Melan
Llanfihangel Nant Melan
Llanfihangel Nant Melan is a small village in Powys, Wales, in the ancient county of Radnorshire. It is around 7 miles from the English border.The village lies in a valley on the A44 road on the edge of the Radnor Forest, and is home to a church and two pubs...
. The road then turns northwest to do some serious hill-climbing before winding its way downhill to a plateau. A few miles later it reaches Penybont
Penybont
Penybont is a small village in Powys, Wales.- Location :It is located to the east of Crossgates, and to the north-east of Llandrindod Wells. The A44 runs east-west through the village, and the A488, which starts in Penybont, runs north to Knighton and Shrewsbury...
and Crossgates
Crossgates, Powys
Crossgates is a village in Powys, Wales with an approximate population of 400. It is located three miles northeast of Llandrindod Wells and eight miles southeast of Rhayader, at the point where the A483 and A44 roads intersect. It is notable as the site of a busy service station.-Facilities:The...
, where it meets the A483 road
A483 road
The A483 is a major road in the United Kingdom, running from Swansea in Wales to Chester in England, although the official title is the Swansea to Manchester Trunk Road.-Swansea:...
. Eight miles further the A44 reaches Rhayader
Rhayader
Rhayader is a market town and community in Powys, Mid Wales. It has a population of 2,075, and is the first town on the banks of the River Wye, from its source on the Plynlimon range of the Cambrian Mountains....
.
Rhayader–Aberystwyth
On reaching the centre of Rhayader, traffic heads to the left of the clock tower before immediately turning right, where the road passes through the town and joins the A470A470 road
The A470 is a major long-distance connective spine road in Wales, running from Cardiff on the south coast to Llandudno on the north coast. It covers approximately 186 miles , over a zig-zagging route through the entirety of the country's mountainous central region, including the Brecon Beacons and...
for 9 miles to Llangurig
Llangurig
Llangurig is a village in Powys, within the historic county boundaries of Montgomeryshire, mid Wales, lying on the River Wye. The population is 670.Llangurig is reputed to be the highest village in Wales at an altitude of 1000 feet...
, following the course of the River Wye
River Wye
The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales. It is important for nature conservation and recreation.-Description:...
. Leaving Llangurig, the road starts clinging to hillsides as it winds its way through the Cambrian Mountains
Cambrian Mountains
The Cambrian Mountains are a series of mountain ranges in Wales, reaching from, and including, the South Wales mountains of the Brecon Beacons, north Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, the Black Mountains of eastern Wales, to Snowdonia in North Wales...
. A few miles later, the River Wye crosses under the road and up the hill to the north.
The next hamlet is Eisteddfa Gurig, which at 1339 feet (408 metres) above sea level is the highest point en route and the location of the iconic Elvis Rock
Elvis Rock
The Elvis Rock is a rock alongside the A44 near Eisteddfa Gurig in Ceredigion, Wales. It is one of the most iconic pieces of graffiti in Wales, probably the most iconic in mid-Wales...
. The A44 then descends into the remote settlement of Ponterwyd
Ponterwyd
Ponterwyd is a village in Ceredigion, Wales. It lies in the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales, approximately 12 miles east of Aberystwyth on the A44 road.-Historical background:...
. The road passes several abandoned mines en route to the villages of Goginan and Capel Bangor
Capel Bangor
Capel Bangor is a small village in Ceredigion, in Wales. It is approximately five miles from the seaside and university town of Aberystwyth.-Facilities:The size of the village of Capel Bangor decreased during the twentieth century, and facilities are limited...
, where it meets the River Rheidol. The road then passes the village of Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanbadarn Fawr
Llanbadarn Fawr is an urbanised village and community in Ceredigion, Wales. It is located on the outskirts of Aberystwyth situated next to Penparcau and Southgate. It forms the eastern part of the continually built-up area of Aberystwyth...
, continuing for its last mile through the outskirts of Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
before terminating on the A487
A487 road
The A487 is a trunk road in Wales, running up the western side of the country from Haverfordwest in the south to Bangor in the north.It starts at Merlin's Bridge near Haverfordwest, from where it travels north west to St David's, then switches back north east through Fishguard, Cardigan, Aberaeron,...
at Penglais Hill.
Bypasses and realignments
- Evesham: the route used to go through the centre of the town, but now runs to the north.
- Evesham–Worcester: the route used to run on a road to the south.
- Leominster–Kington: for 4.8 miles (7.7 km) west of Barons' Cross the road formerly followed a more northerly route, crossing the River Arrow at EardislandEardislandEardisland is a village and civil parish on the River Arrow about west of the market town of Leominster in Herefordshire. The civil parish includes the hamlets of Upper Hardwick, Lower Hardwick and Lower Burton....
.