Comments on: Tiles By William Godwin Of Lugwardine

By: Geoffrey R Reeve

Geoffrey R Reeve — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 21:32:27 +0000

Recently after scrubbing some residue of lime plaster off the back of an encaustic tile with a bird motif on the front, I was able to determine the wording Lugardine, Godwin, Hereford. The bird is undoubtably a pigeon and I also have a mediaeval tile ( in two triangular halves) with the same motif . I guess the more modern one was probably made for Pugin. And incidentally acquired locally, 10 years ago from a salvage yard. Pictures if require.

By: Peter Hook

Peter Hook — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 11:06:32 +0000

I am the Chairman of “The Friends of Hare Hill House”. It is a Georgian House set in Hare Hill Park, Littleborough, Lancashire. The House was originally built by the Newall family in about 1760. The family finally left the house in 1898. Recently we uncovered a tiled hearth in what was formerly the dining room. Unfortunately, about 80% of the tiles have been seriously damaged by the last owners – Rochdale Council. After some research we discovered that the tiles were designed and produced by William Godwin. We have contacted the V&A who have provided us with some useful information. As there are so few tiles in a reasonable condition we are unable to part with any at the moment (4 will be going to the V&A and another 4 to our local museum). However,as the design on the tiles is not part of the set in your article, if you are interested, I can forward you a photograph of one. One thing that puzzles us is why the Newall family would source tiles from a company over 150 miles from their house in the middle of the 19th century.

By: Michael Hall

Michael Hall — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 11:04:20 +0000

I and my brothers were born and christened in Eye Parish, Walter Godwin was my grandfather and is buried in the old churchyard, I , with my cousin Elizabeth have done a lot of family history research and can help with any information anyone may need, contact initially by email,

By: Lee Rivers Allworks Properties

Lee Rivers Allworks Properties — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 21:48:19 +0000

We have purchased the old house turned pub owned and built by William Godwin, We are currently refurbishing the property to make a small hotel, during restorations we have unveiled various tiles painted over in recent years.
Fortunately many of the original features remain, including magnificent staircase and a tiled floor in the cellar made from factory leftovers and samples which never went into production.
We will hopefully be reopening late summer 2017.
Rest assured all tiles have been preserved and this building will be well well worth a visit when it reopens.

By: Eleanor cameron

Eleanor cameron — Tue, 16 May 2017 17:04:22 +0000

Walter Godwin was my grandfather. His father worked at lugwardine with his brother who lived in that magnificent house and owned tile factory. Would love to hear more from you and how we are related

By: Garry Weston

Garry Weston — Sat, 13 May 2017 22:01:15 +0000

Caroline Griffiths (nee Phillips), William Godwin was my wifes 4x great uncle….

By: Anita Syers-Gibson

Anita Syers-Gibson — Sat, 15 Oct 2016 22:00:17 +0000

I have lived in Herefordshire for 37 years and have just discovered Godwin tiles, which are everywhere. I have visited Lugwardine Chapel and Lugwardine Church where members of the Godwin family are buried and tiles sometimes appear on their gravestones. This week I found that descendents of Walter Godwin live in my parish of Eye. The chancel of our church is paved with Godwin tiles. Can anyone tell me more about Walter Godwin and how he fits into the family?

By: Caroline Griffiths (nee Phillips)

Caroline Griffiths (nee Phillips) — Mon, 25 Apr 2016 21:35:28 +0000

Hello, I have enjoyed looking at the photos of the tiles. I have one of William Godwin’s tiles that I am very fond of. William Godwin was my Great, Great, Great Grandfather, both my Grandparents were from Lugwardine. Carrie Griffiths

By: Pippa Thynne

Pippa Thynne — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 21:15:05 +0000

Beautiful. My grandfather, Herbert Thynne, was the ‘H’ of H&G Thynne, successors to Godwin & Thynne and Godwin & Hewitt of the tileworks at Lugwardine. My father Denis sadly had to preside over the closure of the tileworks in 1958, which I know hurt him greatly.

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 21:57:47 +0000

I hope we will see a photo of your entranceway once you have finished tiling it. My father bought Spanish styled tiles from a demolished church and used them in an alcove he built onto the living room of our home. I never appreciated how ahead of his time he was with “recycling” in the 1960s, but now I wish I had a few of those tiles.