Hergest Ridge

Hergest Ridge straddles the English and Welsh border and is a favoured section of the Offa’s Dyke walk as well as a standalone highlight in any exploration of Herefordshire. If you start at the main carpark in Kington, climb a modest 400m up from the quaint town to enjoy spectacular 360 degrees views. You can’t go wrong with visible natural landmarks all around (including and unexpectedly a delightful clump of monkey puzzle trees towards the top of the ridge!).

Heading to the top the views emerge all around and, as you walk, run, cycle or dance along the beautiful moorland, you may chance on wild ponies grazing. Look out for the Victorian racecourse that sits atop Hergest and imagine the thrills and spills as the horses galloped around the track. You should also see the Whetstone near the summit, a natural stone, which in medieval times was used as a place to distribute food to people suffering from leprosy. Legend has it that the stone rolled down to Hindwell Brook each time it heard a cock crow.

From the ridge you can look across to the Black Mountains and even as far as the Malvern Hills, with uninterrupted English and Welsh countryside landscapes all around.