| Country: | England |
| Coordinates: | 52.2729°N -2.9411°W |
| Population: | 71 |
| Population Ref: | [1] |
| Official Name: | Kinsham |
| Unitary England: | Herefordshire |
| Region: | West Midlands |
| Lieutenancy England: | Herefordshire |
| Constituency Westminster: | North Herefordshire |
| Post Town: | PRESTEIGNE |
| Postcode District: | LD8 |
| Postcode Area: | LD |
| Dial Code: | 01544 |
| Os Grid Reference: | SO358642 |
| Static Image Name: | Karting Circuit - geograph.org.uk - 846923 (cropped).jpg |
| Static Image Caption: | A kart racing track near Kinsham, with Cole's Hill behind |
Kinsham is a civil parish which lies in the wooded hills of Herefordshire, England in the Marches near to the border with Wales, about 3miles east of the Welsh town of Presteigne. The parish has two small settlements, Upper Kinsham and Lower Kinsham, in the east overlooking the valley of the River Lugg, which marks the parish boundary.
The 2001 census records that 71 people lived in the parish of Kinsham, of whom 32 were male and 39 female.
There is evidence of human occupation as far back as the Bronze Age at a round barrow [2]
On either 2nd or 3 February 1461 the Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought downstream from Kinsham. In the aftermath of the battle Lancastrian soldiers retreated up the river Lugg and were trapped where the river gorge narrows at Kinsham. Local folklore states the river ran red with the blood of the soldiers when they were killed.[3]
In 1868 the village was described thus:
The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland[4]
The mansion of Kinsham Court is near the village. Lord Byron lived here 1812–13 and here wrote the first two cantos of Childe Harold. Florence Nightingale spent part of her childhood at the house. Edwardian owner, Sir John Stanhope Arkwright (of the famous textiles family), wrote the hymn O Valiant Hearts.[5]
The mansion lies in a landscape park.[6]
The village church is next to Kinsham Court and is still regularly used. It is of 14th-century origin with evidence of 18th-century woodwork. It is an Anglican church dedicated to All Saints[7] and is a Grade II* listed building.
The parish is now part of the benefice of Presteigne with Discoed, Kinsham, Lingen & Knill, with the Priest resident in Presteigne.
The Herefordshire Trail long distance footpath crosses the River Lugg in the village and then climbs Cole's Hill.[8] There is a Kart racing track just west of the village.[9]