Wild Places to Stay
Plan your family adventure
It’s easy to feel a world away in Herefordshire, thanks to our wonderfully wild places to stay. Find them tucked down country lanes, hidden next to rivers, on organic farms and in remote valleys. Wake up to birdsong and step into a day of adventure. In the evening, cosy up around your campfire, toast marshmallows and stargaze.
Chapel House Farm, Golden Valley (Craswell)
This remote rustic hideaway looks out to the magnificent Black Mountains. Red kites, buzzards and curlews wheel over half-moon camping pitches mown into long, flowery grass. There’s also a brilliant treehouse-inspired pod. Kids can explore acres of pasture and woodland, making dens and playing games. Wander along paths to the campsite shop where you can pick up homegrown goodies, including farm-fresh meats to cook over your fire pit. On Fridays, munch on sourdough pizzas made with their own flour and topped with seasonal and foraged delights. In the evening, look out for snuffling hedgehogs!
Drovers Rest, Golden Valley (Hay-on-Wye)
Free range families will love to sleep under the stars in a souped up safari tent on this organic farm. Guests are invited on a free farm tour to meet the animals - including alpacas, pygmy goats and Falabella horses - before stoking up a campfire in a secret location. Bring your old clothes and explore the 40 acres of woodland, farmland, meadows, orchards and the babbling brook. Help build the bug hotel, feast at one of the fabulous food nights and find out about the hosts’ rewilding and wildflower restoration projects. Nature hunts and stargazing also come as part of the package.
Grove Farm Glamping, Golden Valley (Walterstone)
Wind down green lanes to find Grove Farm, a tiny glamping site with three bell tents which sparkle in the evening with fairy lights. Named after a heritage sheep breed, the Ryeland is kitted out with a double bed and two futons. Pitched by an ancient oak tree, the tent comes with a hammock for chilling out as well as a seating and cooking space nestled under a shade sail. Follow the footpath from your front ‘door’ to find Walterstone Common which is alive with bugs and birds. The owners can also recommend nearby wild swimming spots and castles. Rustle up a feast on the firepit or walk 5 minutes to eat at the fantastic Bulls Head.
Cwtch Cabins, Much Marcle
This self-proclaimed field of dreams is just that, a fantastic off-grid retreat for wild adventurers. Bring your own tent or take your pick of the cabins which sleep four, including ‘Morgana’, a wonderfully wonky witch’s hut, ‘Zena, a hobbit-style hideaway, or ‘Barry’, a jolly, red shepherds hut. Larger families can book the biggest cabin, Pendragon. The site is solar-powered, with a fantastic Hub where you can hang out over a cuppa and slice of cake, stock up on local eggs and bacon, or borrow a board game. Every cabin has a picnic table and firepit as well as the use of the camp kitchen. There’s lots of walks on the doorstep, plus a great pub in the village. The grown-ups can also book a cider tasting from local artisan producers.
Warren Farm campsite, Bromyard
Set up camp in an ancient field that lies on an old drover’s route. 12 spacious pitches are mown into the grass on this tranquil 4.5 acre site which sits at the top of the National Trust’s Brockhampton Estate. With views out over eight counties, the sunrise is rather spectacular. Your day will be accompanied by birdsong and the sound of busy insects, thanks to the farm’s focus on increasing biodiversity. There’s stacks of local walks, including across the neighbouring Bromyard Downs, and also trails for mountain bikers, with the caveat that they are quite extreme but exciting if you are fit enough! The farm also grows flowers with homegrown bunches available to buy at the farm gate and there’s a pub within walking distance for family suppers.
Dragon Orchard, near Ledbury
Retreat to the middle of an apple orchard, staying in one of two bespoke yurts, each sleeping four. The 'crown' of each is transparent, allowing for cloud-watching by day and star-gazing by night. This is a place to feel at one with nature...spend time watching the dragonflies dance and the birds take wing, listen to the rustle of the leaves and the buzzing of the bees. Bike out along country lanes and head to the nearby Nest for local refreshment. This is a magically relaxing place to holiday.
White House Glamping, Ross-on-Wye
Stay in one of six luxury tipis on the banks of the river. By day, guests love to swim, canoe, fish and take long walks. And we must mention the secret beach - it’s the perfect place for a stone-skimming contest. Set on a working farm, ask if you would like to meet the cows and calves. Bookable experiences range from paddleboarding sessions to foraging walks and pizza making classes. Or challenge your taste buds with a wild food picnic feast - who knew nettles and mugwort could taste so good? In the evening, it’s time to light the fire pit, toast marshmallows and watch a movie under the stars - each tipi is equipped with a projector and films.
Ryeford Ponds Glamping, Ross-on-Wye
Connect with nature in this secluded private valley, surrounded by meadows, ponds and woodlands. It’s an offgrid delight, designed to minimise the impact on local eco-systems without compromising on creature comforts. The two bell tents sleep five and include an outdoor kitchen and seating. if you would prefer to bring your own tent, there’s also two woodland camping pitches. It’s a laid-back spot which invites everyone to relax over simple pleasures from cooking on the fire and lazing in the hammock, to whittling wood and nature watching. Get active with nearby circular walks and don’t miss an afternoon spent canoeing from Ross-on-Wye.
Nature's Nest, near Hereford
Escape to one of four canvas cottages, set moments away from the River Wye. Each of these rural hideaways sleeps up to six - and the whole site can be booked if a large gang of you want to get together. Bring your bikes or hire one of the e-bikes on offer to explore the nearby country lanes, or make the most of the riverside location - and private landing - by hiring one of the paddleboards. For quieter pursuits, perhaps a wild swim or an afternoon fishing (the site has two licences)? In the evening, we recommend a soak in the hot tub, a stroll to Cottage of Content - a fantastic local pub, followed by a cosy up around the firepit.
