Places to visit
There's a wealth of historical towns and border castles thanks to the historical need to protect the English border nearby. Herefordshire is one of the least populated parts of the country and home to some little visited real gems of gardens, towns and villages.
Houses and castles
Croft Castle (National Trust) is a wonderful Marcher castle towards Ludlow with house, beautiful gardens, café, adventure playground and great walks in the wooded valley below.
Berrington Hall (NT) is an eighteenth century country house towards Ludlow set in lovely parkland with a lake (boating in summer).
Hampton Court Castle is a picturesque castellated country house dating from the 15th century with magnificent gardens and maze.
Wigmore Castle – dramatic history matched by dramatic ruins in romantic setting this side of Ludlow. Short walk from Wigmore (The Oak does extremely good food, as does the Riverside at Aymestry).
Gardens
The Weir (NT) is a lovely, nearby garden along bank of the Wye towards Hereford – excellent for spring bulbs. No dogs.
Hergest Croft Gardens are beautifully planted, extensive and have an excellent café as well as Offa’s Dyke walks nearby. The spring flowers in the old Kitchen Garden must be some of the most beautiful borders in Britain. Also famous for azaleas and rhododendrons in late April/May (worth going extra distance to Park Wood accessed through main garden). Dogs on lead.
Brobury House Garden is more recently planted and also in a lovely location, running down to banks of River Wye by the beautiful Bredwardine bridge. Cafe from May. Dogs on lead. Francis Kilvert (Kilvert's Diary) was vicar of St Andrew's Bredwardine until his early death. Church on opposite bank is ancient and interesting in very pretty surroundings and you can walk from church down to the river.
The Laskett Mid-week visitors can enjoy Roy Strong's eccentric, hidden garden between Hereford and Ross. Tues and Thurs, book online.
Especially appealing to children
Ralph Court Gardens Twelve 'Round the world' gardens specially designed for children and set over 3 acres with a tea room.
Small Breeds Farm and Owl Centre, Kington has a fantastic range of pat-able animals (including the cutest pygmy goats) and fascinating owls. Open Feb-Nov every day and in all weathers with a tea room. Approx 20 mins drive away.
Towns and villages, shops
Pembridge, Eardisley, Eardisland, Dilwyn are picture-book pretty villages to visit nearby. More details of the villages, their churches, pubs and tea rooms on the Black and White heritage trail.
Hay on Wye – Lovely shops and bookshop capital of the UK. Particular favourites are Richard Booth’s bookshop for hours of browsing over three magnificent wooden floors, with an excellent café and boutique cinema. Approach Hay via small toll bridge at Whitney on Wye - direct, fun and scenic route in.
Leominster – Is a little visited historic town nearby. Broad St is well known for its feast of antique and vintage shops - from upmarket to rabbit warrens of amazing finds at bargain prices. The Priory church has a dipping stool used to discover witches, a great cheese shop, ‘The Mouse Trap’, with local cheese and ciders. The Grange is a very well preserved hall decorated by Charles I's master carver.
Hereford – Hereford Cathedral has the world famous Mappa Mundi and a chained library. Pretty parts are by the river and cathedral. Brand new shopping centre called the Old Market has Waitrose. The 461 bus from Weobley takes 40 minutes on a picturesque route if you want to avoid traffic and parking.
Ludlow – fascinating and beautifully preserved medieval planned town in a dramatic setting. A day's outing in itself or could be combined with Berrington Hall (above) or Stokesay Castle.
Ledbury – lovely black and white town with annual poetry festival. Painted hall and many interesting shops (Tinsmiths for home wares) and places to visit (16th century Painted Room where T.S.Eliot married). A bit further away.
Oakchurch farm shop – "the Harrods of Herefordshire" offers a huge range of local food and drink in the foodhall, especially local artisan products, homeware and gifts, garden centre, plants, clothes, pet supplies and more. Something for everyone and a café. Ten – 15 minutes drive from Weobley.