Stargazing & Supper
The perfect evening itinerary for dark skies fans.
For the loveliest of evenings, we’ve paired our favourite places to stargaze with fantastic nearby country pubs (booking advised). And for more celestial sky inspiration, visit our dedicated Stargazing page www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/stargazing
Arthur’s Stone
This spellbinding prehistoric stone in the Golden Valley looks out to the Black Mountains and has witnessed starry skies for over 5000 years.
Directions & parking
Park in the layby adjacent to the stone, postcode HR3 6AX. What 3 Words: movements. toffee.amused.
Supper
Reputedly the oldest pub in the county, The Pandy Inn features in the Good Beer Guide, thanks to its selection of real ales and ciders. Serves traditional pub food til 8pm Tuesday to Friday and til 8.30pm on Saturdays.
Garway Hill
For 360-degree uninterrupted views and glorious night skies, Garway Hill is a must. Park up and walk a mile to the summit.
Directions & parking
There's a small car park at Lower Castre and also roadside parking space. Nearest postcode HR2 8RU, what 3 Words: flamed.excellent.options.
Supper
Four miles away you’ll find the cosy Kilpeck Inn (HR2 9DN), complete with log fire. Recommended by the Michelin Guide and Good Food Guide Top 100, they champion local and seasonal food, real ales and fine wines. Bar is open til 11pm Tue-Sat (4pm on Sundays), food served til 9pm Tue-Sat (3.30pm on Sundays). Luxury bedrooms are also on offer.
Snodhill Castle
One of the oldest Norman castles, the ruins at Snodill are simply magical. On warm summer evenings, you may even spy glow worms on the steps to the Keep.
Directions & parking
Park in the layby on the left, just beyond the entrance gate. Nearest postcode is HR3 6BG. What 3Words: unwound.masses.spoons.
Supper
Drive two miles to Peterchurch to find popular local, The Nags Head, serves food until 8pm Monday to Saturday, with the bar open til 11pm.
Little Doward Woods
Walk through the woods to command views of the night sky from the heights of Little Doward Camp, a Bronze and Iron Age hillfort.
Directions and parking
Access is from the A40, following signs for Ganarew. Near the entrance to Wyastone Business Park, you will see signs for the Woodland Trust car park, What 3 Words: flicked.guesswork.hill. Follow the path from the car park to the hillfort.
Supper
A three-minute drive brings you to the characterful Old Court Hotel. Call in for a drink at the Cotswold Bar or retreat to the Tudor dining room for a delicious, locally-sourced supper. Last orders for food at 8.30pm, bar open until around 10pm. Rooms are also available, as well as self-catering cottages.
Hergest Ridge
An easy one-mile walk takes you to Hergest Ridge, which straddles the border between England and Wales. Big skies guaranteed.
Directions & parking
Drive up Ridgebourne Road and park at the top. Walk up to the gate and then follow the wide track to the ridge. Nearest postcode: HR5 3EG. What 3 Words: altitude.trample.promotion
Supper
Drop back into Kington for dinner at local steakhouse, The Swan, open til 9pm Tuesday to Saturday, rooms also available. Nearby, you’ll also find The Cattleshed, which is open for evening meals on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There’s also a selection of self-catering cottages on site.
Bircher Common
Soak up the tranquillity of this expansive lowland heath which has been common land since medieval times.
Directions & parking
Park at Yarpole Village Hall, postcode HR6 0BL, What 3 Words fondest.sandpaper.swerves. Coming out of the car park, turn right along Green Lane and on reaching the nearby crossroads, go straight over and continue up the surfaced road until you see the National Trust markers for Bircher Common. Follow the path through the trees and across open land to the highest point. The walk will take around 20 to 30 minutes one way.
Supper
Seven minutes in the car brings you to The Riverside Inn at Aymestrey. All the food at this award-winning restaurant is made and sourced on site. The kitchen is open til 9pm Monday to Saturday and the bar is open til 11pm every day except Sunday (closes at 6pm). Stay in the main building or try the spacious suites and garden lodges.
Mathon
Recognised as an official Dark Sky Discovery site, Mathon is a tiny rural hamlet in the Malvern Hills. On a clear night you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Directions & parking
St John the Baptist Church is the place to stargaze, park on the road, postcode WR13 5PW, What 3 Words: unzips.brushing.husky.
Supper
Retreat to the market town of Ledbury where you will find the black and white former coaching inn The Feathers Hotel (opening hours) as well as the timber-framed Seven Stars, open til 9pm or dinner Monday to Saturday (check). Both offer great food and drink as well as rooms.
Bringsty Common
Take a night hike through the sweeping landscapes which once inspired Sir Edward Elgar who enjoyed strolls here with the playwright and critic George Bernard Shaw.
Directions & parking
On the A44 around 3 miles east of Bromyard, you’ll see the distinctive sign for the Live & Let Live pub (postcode WR6 5UW) turn and you’ll find parking on the right hand side. There’s various paths but for the best lookout point (complete with seats!) head south west for Jubilee Hill.
Supper
Set deep in the common you’ll find The Live & Let Live, a beautiful 16th-century thatched pub which serves traditional pub meals until 8.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with the bar open til 11pm. Alternatively, try the Three Horseshoes Inn which offers freshly prepared, locally sourced evening meals Thursday to Saturday.
Fownhope
A favourite for stargazers is the pretty village of Fownhope, situated in the spectacular Wye Valley National Landscape.
Directions & parking
Drive along the B3224 through Fownhope and turn right by St Mary's Church into Capler Lane. After about 200m, there's a right turn between two houses, signposted ‘Recreation Field and Parking, River Wye’. Nearest postcode HR1 4PJ. What 3 Words: marathons.ojective.rumbles
Supper
Fownhope is home to The Greenman, a charming hostelrie which dates back 500 years and retains many original features. Enjoy delicious, locally-sourced home-cooked food. Open until 10.30pm, seven days a week, with the option to enjoy a sound night’s sleep in one of their comfortable bedrooms.
Pages Pasture
Summer stargazers can soak up dark skies with the heady scents of rambling honeysuckle, field rose and guelder rose at this tiny nature reserve.
Directions & parking
Cared for by the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, the reserve has a small car park just inside the main entrance gate, off the B4203, immediately adjacent to Pine Tree Cottages. Nearest postcode HR7 4QD, What 3 Words: massing.snuggled.excusing.
Supper
For a flavour-packed gourmet dining experience try The Baiting House which is four miles up the road and also offers luxury lodges for overnight stays. Alternatively, drive a little further for homemade pub classics at The Fishermans Arms at Docklow Pools where there's a wide range of adult-only accommodation options. Opening hours for both vary so check in advance.
