A four day break in Herefordshire

Spend a half day exploring the Golden Valley, one of the most scenic  places to visit in Herefordshire. Here you’ll pass ancient monuments like Arthur’s Stone, quaint churches, and ruined castles nestled between rolling hills. Hike or bike to the breathtaking peaks of the Cat's Back and Black Hill and stop off for a refreshing homemade ice cream at Rowlestone Farmhouse in the foothills of the Black Mountains.

If the ice cream didn’t fill you up, refuel at this cosy Black Mountain pub for lunch. Its menu features seasonal produce, much of which is harvested from the pub’s regenerative farm in Longtown. Warm up by the roaring fire and soak up the atmosphere of this former drover’s inn.

Take a 10-minute drive to Black Mountain Botanicals Distillery for a gin-making experience in this award-winning Herefordshire distillery. Learn from the master distiller, tour the facilities, and create your personalised bottle of gin. Choose from a variety of botanicals and enjoy a G&T or two – the perfect afternoon for gin enthusiasts!

Settle into the passenger seat for the drive back to Hay-on-Wye, which is world famous for its bookshops. Start your journey at Booth’s Bookshop, a sprawling maze of books across multiple floors. For mystery novels, visit Murder and Mayhem or get lost in whimsy at the Literature Laboratory. Foodies should check out The Hay Deli for local cheese and meat.

This isn’t your average countryside hotel break. Here you can end your day with a stay at organic farm stay Drovers Rest which traces its origins to the 16th century.  Choose from a safari tent, a converted coach house or cottage. You can even book ahead for the farm team to cook a wild feast or traditional South African braai outdoors for you, using locally sourced ingredients.

Herefordshire is home to a treasure trove of little-known but lavish stately homes. One of its most notable attractions is Eastnor Castle, which lies at the foot of the Malvern Hills. Surrounded by a deer park, this elegant stately home, with its fairytale turrets and medieval tapestries, even featured in season one of HBO’s hit series, Succession.

This charming café is a 1.9-mile walk away (46 minutes) in Ledbury, and is seriously popular with locals and visitors. Its seasonal menu offers goodies such as locally sourced bread with poached eggs done any way you want it. Looking for something cold? Try their Ploughman’s lunch, complete with Ledbury loaf (handmade bread that’s local to the area).

This is one of the best things to do when in Herefordshire in our opinion. Jump on your bike and cycle from Ledbury to Ross-on-Wye on the Southern Cider Trail, which takes you past fragrant orchards and cider breweries, with opportunities to stop off along the way. Check out Weston’s Cider Mill at the halfway point for a refreshing pint.

Hire a canoe or kayak at this picturesque part of the River Wye. Catch the transport to Kerne Bridge and paddle back to Symonds Yat in about 3.5 hours. Spot kingfishers, otters, herons, and deer along the riverbank and meander past historic sites like the railway bridge and Symonds Yat Rock Viewpoint and the location where Sex Education was filmed. Afterward, relax with dinner and drinks at The Royal Lodge pub.

After your busy day, head back to Ledbury (flip a coin to see who the designated driver is!) and check into your yurt at Dragon Orchard Retreat.  The peaceful surroundings allow for quiet walks and even orchard bathing – meditating under the trees. Just make sure to leave your devices in the yurt for peak relaxation.

No trip to Hereford would be complete without visiting one of its best attractions. Swing by Sensory and Rye in Hereford for coffee and pastries before going into Hereford Cathedral to see the world’s largest medieval map, the Mappa Mundi. Don’t forget to check out the chained library with ancient manuscripts, Gothic crypt, and one of just four surviving Magna Carta manuscripts. Get some retail therapy in at Hereford’s many sustainable shops in the Independent Quarter.

Round off your morning with lunch at the chic Castle House, offering locally sourced, seasonal produce grown just eight miles away at their Ballingham Hall farm. Enjoy a malted bread gourmet sandwich or treat yourself to their deli board. For heartier fare, go for their burger, which is made from their own raised Hereford beef and served with rosemary fries.

Switch off your phone and get closer to nature with an 8.5-mile canoeing trip on the River Wye from Lucksall to Hoarwithy. A great choice for beginners, this quiet stretch of the river features gentle rapids, sweeping bends and spectacular scenery. You can even toast to your adventure at The New Harp Inn in Hoarwithy, just metres away from your landing point.

Hop into the passenger seat and make the 21-mile return journey to Hereford for a steak dinner at The Bookshop, where all cuts are sourced from local butchers Haggies. Converted from a disused bookshop, the restaurant pays homage to its past with exposed brickwork and books adorning shelves. Their Sunday lunch has won accolades too!

This former 18th century rectory is ideal for a peaceful night’s rest. Set within four acres of pristine countryside, it offers sweeping views of the Welsh borders and is a great choice for a countryside hotel break. Stay in their Rectory Rooms or Penthouse Suite for the best views and luxurious surroundings. Fuel up for the next day with a cooked breakfast in their award-winning on-site restaurant.

One of Herefordshire’s more sustainable attractions, you can explore over 120 antique shops packed with treasures from all eras. Start on Broad Street and venture through Stockmoor Antiques, No 14, The Antique Market, and Leominster Antiques Centre. Discover unique finds on New Street, Corn Square, and West Street, including vintage clothing, records, books, and specialty items.

With plenty of farmland comes fresh, local produce, lots of which you can find in Herefordshire’s restaurants. One of the finest examples is The Riverside at Aymestrey, which, as its name suggests, sits on the banks of the River Wye. This atmospheric eatery, set inside a 16th-century building, serves quirky dishes like Herefordshire snails with truffle mayo and stout parfait with crème fraiche ice cream.

One of the county’s most famous attractions, you can discover Herefordshire's picturesque Tudor-period villages by cycling 18 miles of this 40-mile circular route from Leominster to Dilwyn, then to Pembridge, Eardisland and returning to Leominster. Explore historic villages like Weobley (pronounced as “weebly”), stop off for a cider along the way at Dunkerton’s Cider Mill (don’t forget to bring a map, water, and snacks!).

An idyllic adults-only retreat, Treeopia is home to two luxury treehouses, Vivianna and Eathelin, set within the grounds of a working medieval farmstead on the border with Worcestershire. Each treehouse is built around a mature ash tree and comes with a fully fitted bespoke kitchen, super-king beds, a bathroom with a power shower, underfloor heating and fibre Wi-Fi, all without making an impact on the environment.

Formerly Pensons at the Netherwood Estate, Native is a unique place to celebrates farm-to-table dining. Created by wild food pioneers Ivan Tisdall-Downes and Imogen Davis, responsible farming and foraging are at the heart of the menus - which include Sunday options like Nose to Tail and Root to Shoot – embracing the flavours from the surrounding fields and farms with their seasonal tasting menu.