406 
THE VALLEY OF KNILL. 
Knill Court, the residence of Sir John Walsh am, Bart., one of the Assistant 
Poor Law Commissioners, is built in the Elizabethan style of architecture. It 
is beautifully situated close to the banks of the Somergil, and is, alone, well 
worthy of the traveller s attention. 
But this lovely Valley has other charms and attractions than those of the land¬ 
scape. To the geologist there is an unbounded field for exertion, for the formations 
are not only various and interesting, but have been but slightly investigated. 
The northern side of the valley is chiefly composed of the Caradoc sandstone, 
which, having been forced upwards, has thrown the Dudley and Wenlock Lime¬ 
stone and Shale on either side. 
The hills on the south are the Upper Ludlow Bock, and on the west, at 
Stanner Bocks, the green-stone porphyry obtrudes itself. In this volcanic rock 
appears the source of disturbance of the formations, not alone of this valley but 
probably of a large extent of surrounding country, where violent action has 
evidently occurred. The organic remains in the Limestone and Caradoc sand¬ 
stone are extremely beautiful. 
The botanist must not think himself treated uncourteously if he is referred to 
the “ Devil’s Flower-garden”! a spot situated among the rocks at Stanner, 
where, it is said, are some rare and beautiful plants ; but the path which leads 
to this place is so difficult to find, and when found is so hazardous to traverse, 
that few have felt inclined to visit it. This difficulty of access was the probable 
origin of the name. 
The antiquarian will find an ancient encampment at Berva. This was 
probably one of those numerous fortifications which were situated on Claud 
Offa, or Offa’s Dyke, which may be traced along the summits of the hills.'^ 
* “ The celebrated earthen rampart which Offa raised as aline of partition and defence between 
the kingdom of Mercia and the dominions of the Welsh princes.fi The general course of this 
stupendous but useless work is tolerablj ascertained, but its original commencement at neither end 
has yet been discovered. Mr.PENNANT has carefully explored what vestiges of it are visible in North 
Wales. In Radnorshire it is first seen near Knighton, whence it takes nearly a southern direction, 
and is easily traced through the parishes of Norton, Whitton, and Discocd, near Beggar’s Bush, 
Here it inclines to the south-east, and enters Herefordshire at the village of Knill. Berva’s 
f “ Offa, when he saw his country go to wrack. 
From bick’ring with his folk, to keep the Britons back, 
Cast up that mighty mound of eighty miles in length. 
Athwart from sea to sea, which of the Mercian strength 
A witness though it stand, and Offa’s name does bear, 
Our courage was the cause why first he put it there : 
As that most dreadful day at Gavelford can tell, 
Where under cither’s sword so many thousands fell, 
With intermixed blood, that neither knew their own; 
Nor which went victor thence, until this day is knoMm.”—DRAYTON= 
