The Pull of the Herefordshire Countryside
We've provided a little information below about Herefordshire and some of the places you could go but the GoHerefordshire website offers a wealth of information on our county, including where to eat out and an events guide.
Other than being one of the prettiest landscapes in the country, the border counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire and Powys, also known as 'The Marches', are full of history. There are walks of outstanding beauty in the border hills between England and Wales with Iron Age hill forts, the great earthwork of Offa's Dyke and the largest concentration of medieval castle earthworks anywhere in Britain.
A yurt holiday in Herefordshire lends itself to cycling trips, several of which have been mapped out from shorter, easy, family rides, to those more suited to the experienced cyclist. Relaxing routes, designed to see the best of the countryside (some avoiding hills and traffic), and spend the time to absorb the areas natural and historical beauty. There have even been routes mapped out to take in the local cider makers at Cider Cycling Routes. Bring you own or hire the bicycles from various towns within the area. Combine the yurt experience with a Creative Break learning or developing new art or craft skills, using a yurt as your base.
Kington, a small market town for a thousand years, set on Offa's Dyke, has plenty of historical interest, including a museum. Just outside Kington, is a Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, is well worth a visit with the kids. Kington Golf Club has the highest 18 hole course in England, well known for its spectacular views.
On the outskirts of Kington are Hergest Croft Gardens, created over 100 years ago by three generations of the Banks family, overlooking the magnificent view of the Black Mountains.
Presteigne is another local border market town, with a swimming pool, leisure centre and The Judge's Lodging, a restored, Victorian town house, combining courts and cells, judges, servants and their felonious guests. You may consider visiting the 13th Century, Stapleton Castle ruins a mile out of Presteigne.
Hay-on-Wye is world famous for its secondhand bookshops, and the Hay Festival and well worth a visit. The town sits on the river Wye, ideal for outdoor activities including, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, etc. The ruins of Hay Castle built in 1121, are still standing.
Over shadowing Hay are the Black Mountains, and a little further The Brecon Beacons National Park, offering spectacular views (the car with the grandfather clock on the Antiques Roadshow credits). Take a trip on the Brecon Mountain Railway, one of the most popular railways in Wales, which runs along local reservoirs and into the Brecons National Park.
For the more adventurous Black Mountain Activities offer challenging outdoor pursuits such as climbing, absailing, caving and pot holing, gorge walking, canoeing, kayaking, archery, white water rafting, etc. The Offa's Dyke Path runs through Hay and across the edge of the Black Mountains, overlooking the Golden Valley, with the River Wye meandering its way towards Hereford. The Wye Valley Canoe Centre hire canoes and kayaks for either full day (Glasbury to Whitney) or half day trips (Glasbury to Hay) downstream. They will then return you and the equipment back to base at no extra cost. Another way to see the Wye Valley is a Balloon Flight lasting about an hour, either at sunrise or two hours before sunset, but allow about four hours for the whole experience. The Cistercian monastery of Dore Abbey is well worth a visit, dating back to the 12th century.
Brecon is a historic cathedral town, with Georgian and Jacobean shop fronts, castle, Brecknock Museum, the Gaer Roman Fort, South Wales Borders Regiment Museum, August Jazz Festival, the Brecon to Monmouth Canal, and the gateway to the Beacons National Park.
There is a 136 mile Wye Valley walk following the River Wye, from the wild moorland on the slopes of Plynlimon, through the southern limestone gorge of the Wye Valley to Chepstow. On the way you can take in many of the half timbered houses in Hay-on-Wye, Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, not to mention Hereford Cathedral, Goodrich Castle, Yat Rock at Symonds Yat, Tintern Abbey, and Chepstow Castle. (Chepstow Castle was started just after the Battle of Hastings in 1066, evolved through the Civil War and beyond, and was one of Britain's first stone built strongholds.) You could take a 40 minute Kingfisher Cruise on the River Wye, or even walk through free-flying butterflies from around the world at the Butterfly Zoo or attempt an aMazing Hedge Puzzle at Symonds Yat.
You will find the Offa's Dyke Visitor Centre in Knighton, along with a working astronomical observatory, part of the international Spaceguard Project, looking out for comets and asteroids before they collide with the Earth. Established in 1996 the observatory stands on the top of a hill with outstanding views all round. Inside there is a planetarium capable of seating 25 offering educational shows of the night sky, and guided tours lasting an hour and a half.
Travelling between Leominster and Kington you will see many timber frame and half timbered buildings, some dating back to medieval times. The Black and White Trail was developed in 1987, encouraging tourists onto a 40 mile trip, taking in the beauty of the countryside and villages in the area. Eardisland is set on the picturesque River Arrow and often called the 'prettiest village'. Mediaeval Pembridge has a recently restored Market Place, St. Mary's church with a rare detached bell tower, The Old Chapel Gallery full of local crafts, three public houses and a tourist information centre. On the outskirts you can sample some local cider at Dunkertons Cider and Perry Mill. Dilwyn has a pretty village green and surrounding houses, church, crafts shop and public house. Next is Weobley, recent winner of Britain's best kept village, with a large variety of medieval buildings, church, three pubs, excellent 'Jules' restaurant , and the very popular The Gables Tearooms. There is also The Willow Gallery with local crafts, a pottery shop, castle green and the well photographed and painted high street. Eardisley also has numerous black and white buildings, crafts shop, two public houses and it's Great Oak Tree. You could also taste some of the local products at the Cheese Dairy, as well as visit Sarnesfield, Kinnersley, Lyonshall and Kingsland.
An informative way to tour Herefordshire by car is to buy a couple of Audio Car Tours on either tape or CD, taking you around the Golden Valley, The Black and White Villages, Mortimer Country, etc.
Dating back to the 7th century Leominster, pronounced and was originally spelt Lemster is full of medieval, black and white buildings, many overhanging its narrow streets, and several good examples of Georgian town houses. This market town with its past based on the local wool trade and famous Hereford cattle, is also known as 'The Town on the Marches'. The Old Priory Church is famed for its 45' perpendicular window and ducking stool.
Three miles north of Leominster is Berrington Hall, belonging to the Natural Trust, and one of 'Capability' Brown's final landscapes. Explore the landscaped parkland, 14 acre lake and island, the house (designed by Brown's son-in-law, Henry Holland,) with its beautiful rooms, the Digby collection of French Regency furniture, the Wade Costume Collection of over 2000 pieces, and the Walled Garden.
Travel north up the A49 past Berrington Hall, into Shropshire, to visit Ludlow with its Medieval castle, Tudor timber frame buildings and many outstanding examples of Georgian and Regency architecture. Work started on Ludlow Castle by Roger de Lacy in 1085 after William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066, and created Marcher Lords to help defend the border of Wales (march was a Norman word describing a boundry). Roger Mortimer (then the most powerful man in England) enlarged it into a palace in the 14th century. It was involved in the Wars of the Roses, and later became part of an administrative centre, a seat of government, running Wales. The castle is open throughout the year, and literally plays centre stage for the annual Shakespearean festival, with the stage built into the walls of the inner bailey, giving the audience a unique theatrical experience. Ludlow is well known for its antique markets, art galleries, craft shops, antiquarian bookshops, race course, excellent restaurants using the best local produce, and the annual food and drink festival.
Further up the A49 you will find Stokesay Castle, the most perfectly preserved fortified 13th century manor house in England, with a Great Hall that is virtually the same as it was in 1291, and an excellent example of a Jacobean gatehouse.
Shropshire has the dramatic hills of the Stiperstones, Long Mynd, Wrekin and the Clees. The Long Mynd (Long Mountain in Welsh) is an important archaeological, geological, ecological site, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). For more information, visit The Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre a 30 acre site with riverside paths, wild flowers and woodland in the shadow of an Iron Age Fort. Drop into Acton Scott Historic Working Farm, near Church Stretton, giving the whole family an insight into farming about 100 years ago, with traditional breeds of livestock, and farm working skills being demonstrated. You could also find the border market town of Bishop's Castle an interesting visit.
Travel south of Leominster down the A49 and you will find The Grove Golf Centre. A little further down the road at Hope under Dinmore, is Hampton Court Van Kampen Gardens. Broadfield Court Estate has five acres of idyllic formal and kitchens gardens and 14 acres of vineyards producing six different wines. At the top of Dinmore Hill is Queens Wood Country Park, with a 67 acre arboreteum, 103 acres of natural ancient woodland and SSSI, panoramic views, ideal for a walk, picnic, fun in the kids play area, or refreshments at the cafe.
The A49 south will take you to Hereford and Ross-on-Wye. Hereford Cathedral dates back to Saxon times, with excellent examples of Norman architecture, home to two of Britain's most historical treasures, the medieval Mappa Mundi and Chained Library. Just opposite the cathedral is the museum and a short walk in the other direction is The Old House, another museum, in St. Peter's Square both well worth a visit. The Waterworks Museum tells the story of drinking water, from the first lifting machines, through the steam age to electric power.
You could explore King Arthur's cave at The Doward, or in visit the historic market town of Ross-on-Wye with tudor timber framed houses around a market hall, dating back to the 17th century. Take in the picturesque riverside walks along the Wye, or stroll round St. Mary's church dating from the 13th century, with its 280 foot spire.
Travelling from Ross to Ledbury, you could call in at Hellens, one of the oldest houses in England, filled with heirlooms, furnishings, paintings and decorations from the Tudor period, set in 15 acres with coppice, lawns and fishponds. You could take in the landscape gardening of the Edwardian era recreated at Westons Cider Mill, or take the kids to Newbridge Farm Park, a friendly family run farm, with traditional and rare farm animals, adventure playground and picnic area. Ledbury is an unspoilt market town with constantly photographed streets full of tudor houses and the magnificent timber framed Market House, with plenty of local arts and crafts shops. A few miles further on you can visit the fairytale Georgian Eastnor Castle, with lavish interiors containing medieval armour, fine art and tapestries. You'll discover the Knight's maze, a children's adventure playground and assault course, a tree trail, lakeside and woodland walk and a 300 acre deer park within the grounds. This area is over looked by the Malvern Hills, with its Roman Camp, long hill walks and stunning views across many surrounding counties.
If you travel across Welsh Border on the A44, you will notice the scenery changing from the rolling green hills, to more dramatic hillsides covered with heather and fern. Just outside Rhayader (home of the Red Kite Feeding Station and Welsh Crystal workshops) you will discover the beautiful landscape around the Elan Valley reserviors and grey stone dams supplying Birmingham with water. A little further north is the Clywedog reservior, with a stunning dam, with a fantastic view and the ruins of the Bryn Tail Lead Mine.
Just over the Welsh border you could venture into the spa towns of Builth Wells and Llandrindod Wells.
Llandrindod Wells captures the character of the Victorian era, and the town celebrates this with a festival held in August with locals and businesses stepping back in time with their costumes, food, bandstand and theatrical performances. You could visit the National Cycling Museum, the Radnorshire Museum, or Abey Cwm Hir, the resting place of Llywelyn, the last Welsh King (1282). Llandrindod is the venue for many National Car, Bike and Cycle rallies, drawing competitors and spectators from all over the world.
Builth Wells is the home of The Royal Welsh showgrounds, with all the shows and events associated with it.
Take a horse drawn boat trip along the beautiful Llangollen canal and aqueduct.
If you like the sound of Herefordshire try
New House Farm, Lyonshall, Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3JS