Monty Don, the lead presenter of BBC's Gardeners' World since 2003, lives in the market town of Leominster in Herefordshire, where the average house price is £235,809. Much of the show is filmed at his Longmeadow garden, which he has transformed since buying the property in 1991.
Longmeadow and Leominster
Monty Don and his wife, Sarah, have lived at Longmeadow in Ivington, Herefordshire, since the early 1990s. They purchased the property in October 1991, when both the dwelling and garden were in a dilapidated condition. The house was barely more than a shell, while the two-acre garden was essentially a derelict field littered with construction debris and choked with coarse grass, nettles and brambles.
According to Monty's website: "There was just one tree when they bought the property: a hazel that now stands in what is known as the Spring Garden." The restoration work was time-consuming, prompting the couple to rent accommodation elsewhere while the renovations were underway. They eventually settled into Longmeadow in late 1992.
Why Leominster?
Monty has previously shared with English Home details about where he lives and what drew him to the area. He said: "I live near a little town called Leominster in Herefordshire near the Welsh border." On why he chose this location, he mentioned it was "sufficiently far" from any London commuter belt, making it more economical. He described his home as a Tudor oak-beamed hall house featuring 10 workrooms and studios.
The garden comprises four distinct sections: the Cottage Garden, Jewel Garden, Paradise Garden, and Vegetable Garden. Writing about the garden's evolution on his blog, Monty reflected: "The planting began in earnest in spring '93 and has never really ceased since. The changes have been dramatic and may seem astonishing to some. But in my mind that early field with its pattern of woven fences protecting the little plants, so small yet filled with dreams, still remains beneath the skin, is still there beneath all the years."
Property prices in Leominster
Nestled in northern Herefordshire, the market town of Leominster offers an excellent starting point for exploring both England and Wales. Compared to much of Herefordshire, Leominster remains relatively competitively priced, though property values differ significantly depending on whether you're searching within the town itself, its surrounding villages, or deeper into the countryside. The town's origins are thought to date back to a grand Anglo-Saxon abbey, established in 660 AD. Situated just 10 minutes from Hereford town centre, residents have easy access to a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars.
According to the most recent sold-price figures from Rightmove, the typical property in Leominster changed hands for around £235,809 over the past year. The bulk of properties sold in Leominster over the last year were detached homes, commanding an average price of £322,427. Terraced houses sold for an average of £188,075, while semi-detached properties achieved £236,519. Overall, homes sold in Leominster over the past year were down 1% on the previous year, yet up 2% on the 2022 peak of £230,076.
