Herefordshire

Herefordshire is a gloriously rural county at the heart of England. Ask anyone what they know about Herefordshire and they might mention the Mappa Mundi in Hereford Cathedral, black and white villages or the home of cider but there is so much more. Historic Herefordshire reveals the remnants of many Iron Age camps crowning the hills, a line of castle ruins along the border with Wales plus Goodrich Castle on a crag above the River Wye near Ross-on-Wye. The thriving artistic community, who open their workshops and studios to the public during h.art week in September, take over Hereford’s Courtyard Centre for the Contemporary Craft Fair in November and offer creative breaks for all to learn weaving to woodworking, watercolours, pottery and silver-smithing to name but a few.

Hereford cattle are renowned the world over and the fertile soil produces fruit and vegetables, supports the cider apple orchards and nurtures the livestock which form the basis of the county’s passion for good food. Using local produce at the peak of perfection is not a problem when farmer’s markets are held weekly in the market towns, butchers buy direct from local sources, village stores and shops at the farm gates offer the pick of the crop and there are plenty of opportunities to ‘pick your own’.

Hospitality comes naturally in Herefordshire. Strangers will be welcomed, there is time to discuss the weather and the news and there are always suggestions as to what to see and where to visit. Have fun at a local fete, join a walk and experience the landscape in a way impossible to reach by car, hire a canoe and paddle serenely down the Wye – unless you’re dare-devil enough to try the rapids at Symonds Yat – or sit on the bank and admire the dragonflies while fishing in one of the many rivers and pools.

Take time to take a break and come and see us.