Herefordshire Summer Happenings
Events, festivals & accommodation this summer
With the summer holidays almost upon us and the sun set to shine for family time outside, Herefordshire is shaping up to be a hot bed of happenings for everyone.
Start the summer holidays in late July with Three Choirs Festival, a week of world class music and end it in early September with a camp out weekend celebration of Herefordshire cider, food and music at Ross Cider Festival. August is the month for the kids to learn circus skills at Eastnor Castle, get a taste for the tropics at a butterfly zoo, or go wild on the water at Hereford River Carnival.
To help with holiday planning, Visit Herefordshire is sharing its events and activities for summer, with more to be found here: www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/whats-on
Last Minute Staycations
And for those looking to book a last minute break there is still plenty of availability. There are weeks available at Van Cottage, a two bedroom off eco hideaway near Kilpeck, off grid cabins, shepherds huts and camping at Cwtch Cabins near Ledbury, glamping pods for families at Nature’s
Nest, and cottages and safari tents at Drovers Rest.
Whilst those looking for a more urban base, the Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford is offering a special
summer staycation offer and the newly refurbished riverside Hope and Anchor in Ross on Wye will
be opening booking for their new rooms in the next few weeks.
Finally, a trio of lodges, Bettws Court Retreats has just opened on Orcop Hill which have several weeks available over the summer for last minute bookings. For up to date availability and prices do get in touch direct.
Circus Skills at Eastnor Castle, 7-11 August
Eastnor Castle lies at the foot of the Malvern Hills and is surrounded by a beautiful deer park and lake. Enjoy a summer day out there with the woodland play area, Knight’s Maze, ice cream parlour and, for one special week, clown around with Thomas Trilby! There will be interactive circus fun to join in with around the grounds.
Prices including castle and ground plus activity: Children: £8 (3-15 years), Adults: £13 (16 and over). Family: £34.00 (2 adults + up to 3 children).
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, Symonds Yat, indoor and every day
A perfect rainy date excursion, this indoor butterfly safari is located opposite Symonds Yat Rock. Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is a gentle attraction where visitors and walk with butterflies as they explore the incredible tropical world of these beautiful creatures. Add in entry to the aMazing Hedge Puzzle – a great place to play tag with all the family - and this is a fun-packed day out, combining indoor and outdoor activities.
Family prices from £30.00 (2 adults and two children) which includes Butterfly Zoo and Maze. Open from 10am, last entry 5pm.
The Viking Games in the Golden Valley, all summer
The Viking Games is the place to channel Nordic competitiveness outdoors with the family. Take part in Axe Throwing, Archery, Bullrings, Kubb, Molkky or Stige, all adapted for twenty-first century fun and guaranteed to bring out the Viking warrior in all of us! Various packages are available, for example, Axe and Bow combines axe throwing with archery and costs from £30 pp for 2 hours and is suitable for 16 years and upwards or for 11 years an upwards and hour of archery for £20pp. There are options for younger kids too.
Family High Rope Adventures at Oaker Wood near Leominster, all summer
Oaker Wood is for families who seek thrills and freedoms in the forest, all 175 acres of it! For adults and children over 7 years old there are packages lasting around 2 hours where families can pick any three activities to create their own adrenalin experience. Options include High Ropes Gladiator Challenge, High Ropes Monkey Climbing, Low Ropes Assault Course and Den Building.
A High Ropes and Adrenalin Pick and Mix session costs from £30pp and there are holiday club sessions for 7-12 year olds costing £32.50 per child and running 3 days a week throughout the holidays from 9am-3pm starting on 26th July then every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Three Choirs Festival, Hereford, 23 - 30 July
Three Choirs Festival hosts world class classical concerts plus musical events and storytelling aimed at children. The origins of this annual ‘Music Meeting’ of the Three Choirs of Gloucester, Worcester and Hereford go back to the 18th century and this year’s festival kicks off with a rare performance of Dvořák’s Requiem. On 30 July families can join saxophonist Amy Dickson for a practical workshop giving a taster of her transformative Take a Breath schools programme.
Free fun on the Wye at Hereford River Carnival, 26 & 27 August
Hereford River Carnival has grown to become Herefordshire’s biggest feelgood, community event – and it remains entirely free for the public. The events typically attracts 20,000 people to sing, dance, make masks and carnival costumes, eat great local food and have fun messing about on the Wye. This year’s theme is Make Waves with the aim to bring the seaside to Hereford through music, dance, sport, arts, crafts, old fashioned games and messing about on the water.
Hereford Indie Food at The Yard, 27 & 28 August
In the heart of Hereford city, Indie Food is an indulgent weekend to close summer. For the August Bank Holiday weekend there will be street food, banging cocktails and local ciders, chilled music by day and world class DJs by night. Add in stalls with local crafts people (knife makers, ceramicists) and producers (cheese, bread, coffee) in a cool corner of the city and you have all the ingredients for a great weekend.
Tickets cost £18.
