The parish of Hill and Moor comprises the villages of Lower Moor south of the A44, neighbouring Upper Moor and Hill, a tiny settlement up on the slope above the A44 and straddling the road to Bishampton. Centuries ago, the plain where Lower Moor lies was marshland and Hill is therefore possibly the older settlement. Even so, it may be that Iron Age people had a small settlement in the marshland. T
he oldest part of Lower Moor is at the western end centred around Bridge Street, Church Lane and part of Maytree Road where several thatched cottages can still be seen. As time went on the village crept along Manor Road and Blacksmiths Lane as far as Salters Lane, which probably got its name because salt from Droitwich was taken down the lane to be loaded onto boats in the river beyond Springhill Farm. Blacksmiths Lane has obvious links with the local blacksmith. who had his forge where three bungalows now stand. There was no church in Lower Moor until the 19th century, and the villagers would cross the fields to Fladbury on what is now called Porters footpath for church services, christenings, weddings and funerals. The footpath possibly got its name because coffins would have to be carried along it to the church, and later fruit and vegetables would be taken to Fladbury station to go to markets all over the country. The name Cherry Orchard road also reminds us that this was a fruit growing area.
