7 reasons to visit Herefordshire on your next weekend break

The county of Herefordshire in England is located in a peaceful part of the West Midlands, hugging the Welsh border, and is a must-visit in England.

Known for its leafy orchards, premium cider and picturesque villages, it’s an ideal holiday in the UK for those seeking a Bridget Jones-style, full-blown mini-break in the English countryside. Convertible and horrible boyfriend optional, of course.

Here you’ll find a mix of rural landscapes and small towns with plenty to offer visitors. This is the place for those looking for a UK holiday that’s a little off the beaten track!

Reasons to visit Herefordshire

There are plenty of places to visit in Herefordshire, including the charming city of Hereford, The nearby Wye Valley, The Malvern Hills and Hampton Court Castle and Gardens.

You’ll find Herefordshire’s famous Black and white villages in the county’s north. These Medieval villages feature twee, half-timbered black and white buildings, cosy country pubs, and independent tea shops and offer a slower pace of life, away from city crowds and endless Zoom meetings.

You’ll also find reminders of Norman conquerors, including fine stone churches and the remains of castles built to defend from Welsh incursions. Though thankfully, Welsh folk like me are warmly welcomed today.

Here’s my guide to why you must visit Herefordshire on your next weekend break so you can start planning your next UK adventure.

You can also listen to my Herefordshire Black & White Villages guide on my travel podcast – Travel Goals. Subscribe now and listen to all episodes for more destination inspiration and deep dives with travel experts.

Thank you to Visit Herefordshire for supporting this article.

You can visit Herefordshire’s Black and White Villages

One of the best ways to explore the villages is to follow Herefordshire’s Black and White village trail, which takes visitors through several of the villages and towns, including Leominster, Eardisland, Pembridge, Weobley and Eardisley. Each is as charming as they sound.

This scenic trail can be traversed by car or bike, allowing enough time for countryside strolls, heritage and culture. There’s plenty of time to stop and sample Herefordshire’s famous cider and hearty food.

The entire route is 42 miles long, though it can be broken up into smaller sections and even attempted on a tandem if you possess the kind of teamwork and endless patience I sadly lack.

What are the black and white villages?

Herefordshire’s Black and White villages are small, medieval villages with half-timbered houses, characterful pubs and remarkable churches.

Many of the villages have a range of historical quirks and oddities, including a 17th-century riverside dovecote, a moated Saxon castle mound and the oldest AA kiosk in the UK.

Despite their film-set appearance, these villages are home to local residents, feature a range of shops, tea rooms and pubs, and have a strong community vibe.

Each of the villages has its distinctive feel, and many have information boards that give an insight into the unique features visitors can look out for. Try and spot the rococo churches, Staick House dating from c.1300 and the 17th-century riverside dovecote.

There are also plenty of places to stop for food and refreshment, with independent cafes, traditional inns and even microbreweries to be discovered.

Learn about Leominster’s history

Leominster is a Black and White market town full of heritage, history and a wealth of antique shops packed with vintage treasures. It’s the starting point for the Black and White Villages trail and has plenty to offer curious visitors.

History is all around you in this town, and it’s also where you’ll find the last ducking stool used in England in the Priory Church of St. Peter & St. Paul.

These 17th-century stools were formerly used for the bizarre punishment of disorderly women by plunging women into water on a stool of repentance. Thankfully, for disorderly women like me, this has long been discontinued. Phew!

Various Tudor, Stuart and Georgian-era buildings can also be spotted along Church Street, Broad Street and Drapers Lane in town. Just remember to look up and see what historic features and carvings are dotted around the centre. It’s surprising to see how much contemporary shop fronts blend against timeworn structures.

Alongside historical quirks, there are also plenty of places to shop, eat or grab a drink in Leominster. Have homemade cakes at The Merchants House, a pub lunch at the 15th-century Grape Vaults and a big breakfast at the Flying Dutchman.

Grange Court Leominster

One of the most impressive historic sights in Leominster is Grange Court. This Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall occupies an important place in the town’s history and features the ornately carved work of ‘King’s Carpenter’ John Abel.

The building dates back to 1633 and is now a community space with a gallery and small café, though it’s had a rather unusual history involving a spot of relocation.

It originally stood at the top of Broad Street in Leominster and was home to a lively weekly market selling range of staples, including eggs and butter and live chickens.

By the mid-nineteenth century, it had sadly become a bit of a traffic hazard in the town centre and was dismantled as a result and stored in pieces in a builder’s yard until 1859.

Grange Court was given a new lease of life when the pieces were purchased by John Arkwright and rebuilt piece by piece in the park known as ‘The Grange’.

Today, it’s a multi-purpose heritage and enterprise venue owned by the people of Leominster through the LARC Development Trust. You can now learn more about the building’s long history and its part in medieval Leominster.

Discover Herefordshire’s cycle routes

Cycling the Black & White trail Herefordshire

Many cycle routes around Herefordshire take in rolling countryside, attractive villages and most importantly, proper pubs.

The Pembridge to Eardisland loop is a brilliant new cycle route Visit Herefordshire has added to their website’s Black & White Village Trail section that is worth exploring.

It’s an ideal route for visitors that want to explore some of the Black & White Villages Trail over a day rather than biking the entire route over two or three days and is just over 9 miles.

The cycle route starts and ends in Pembridge, a quintessentially English village that once enjoyed the patronage and wealth of the influential Mortimer family.

Its picture-perfect timber-framed buildings line the main street and are often framed by colourful spring blossoms or blooming window boxes, giving that quaint village feel.

The trail offers a largely quiet and traffic-free cycle through country lanes, passing through blossoms, rural farmland, orchards and the occasional sheep.

There are also photogenic cottages straddling the River Arrow and Millrace and many half-timbered black and white houses on this trail.

Take in the varied historical features, homely pubs and picturesque river ban spots on this rather leisurely cycle through the highlights of the Black and White Villages.

Where to hire a bike in Herefordshire

Wheely Wonderful Cycling offers bespoke cycling holidays and rentals in Herefordshire that take visitors through rural farmlands, cider orchards, villages and river valleys.

Their well-researched and adaptable routes also cover Herefordshire’s Black and White villages, allowing bikers to explore these medieval villages easily.

Cyclists can choose from a short biking break or a longer cycling holiday to explore more of the serene Herefordshire countryside.

Their cycling holidays include all accommodations, brilliant routes, luggage transportation, quality bikes and equipment, and award-winning service. Prices can be found on their website.

Feast on Herefordshire produce

The Cider Barn in Pembridge is one of the best places to sample Herefordshire’s bountiful produce and changing seasons. A 450-year-old, Grade II listed barn at Dunkertons Cider Mill with an inviting ambience and knowledgeable staff.

It’s a contemporary dining space in a converted barn setting that features creative and seasonal menus with locally sourced produce.

Most evenings, the restaurant is busy with diners, ordering local ciders and browsing the seasonal la Carte Menu, with typical dishes including Hereford beef sirloin and cheek with dauphinoise and baked pollock with herb gnocchi.

Their wines are also specially selected by their wine merchant, John Villar, and there’s also a range of ales, soft drinks and freshly brewed hot beverages on offer.

What local food can you find in Herefordshire?

It’s always reassuring to hear that a restaurant is committed to supporting local economies and reducing food miles.

It also makes sense in a place like Herefordshire, with an excellent range of high-quality products, including beef, cider and organic vegetables.

Alongside the Cider Barn, there’s a decent selection of independent cafes and proper pubs in Herefordshire, catering to various tastes and budgets.

Ye Olde Salutation Inn in the village of Weobley is another brilliant spot for classic dishes featuring hearty Herefordshire produce.

Step inside this old English Inn to find a warming fire, proper pies and local ales, including tap beers from microbrewery The Swan Brewery, based in Leominster.

The Corners Inn is another snug guest house and restaurant where diners can sample the finest local produce in a traditional Inn setting. Typical menu offerings include mackerel pate, Garlic & Truffle Celeriac Steak and slow roasted Porchetta.

Sample craft cider at Newton Court Cider

Sip on award-winning craft cider made from English fruit by Newton Court Cider, near the black-and-white town of Leominster.

The ciders have a strong heritage focus and are carefully produced using traditional crafts on a working cider farm with its own colourful orchards.

Visitors to the cider farm will find a tasting room and shop where a range of refreshing ciders can be sampled, including Little Owl, Gasping Goose and Newton Court Perry.

They also have informative mill tours that allow guests to see every part of the production process, including a tour of orchards and the processing and bottling plant and barrel storage barn. This is followed by a cider tasting and a selection of bread and local cheeses.

The tours run from Thursdays to Saturdays and cost £25pp.

Hike the Offa Dyke trail

Built by a medieval king as a show of strength to intimidate his enemies, the long-distance Offa’s Dyke Path takes in some of Wales’ most impressive landscapes and historic castles.

The dyke is essentially the ancient earthworks constructed by King Offa over 1,200 years ago, with a path built in 1971, as a long-distance walking route.

This scenic trail runs alongside the border between England and Wales and offers 177 miles of hiking adventure for adventure seekers.

On average, it takes keen hikers around 12 days to complete, and there are also shorter circular and linear walks for day hikers. The trail includes parts of Herefordshire, so visitors to the area can plan to walk sections of the trail as part of an active trip.

Hergest Ridge Herefordshire

One of the prettiest sections of the trail is Hergest Ridge, a large and elongated hill that straddles the English and Welsh border.

Here, you’ll find impressive 360-degree views, natural landmarks and wild ponies that roam this rural landscape.

If you start at the main car park in Kington, you can climb a modest 400m up from the town to enjoy the views or even a picnic, if the weather is favourable of course.

Stay in a former Celebrity Hideout

Former celeb hideaway Penrhos Court offers contemporary accommodation in the Herefordshire countryside. Back in the 1970s, the Penrhos site had a hotel and a successful restaurant run by its previous owner Martin Griffiths, that became an unlikely celebrity haunt.

Famous Penrhos guests include former US presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and US politician and environmentalist Al Gore.

Musicians like Paul Mc Cartney, Mike Oldfield, Led Zepplin and the iconic rock band Queen also used to drink and stay here.

Terry Jones from Monty Python was a frequent visitor and even had a brewery on site. The new owners plan to build a bar where the brewery was and name it the ‘Pythons Arms’ in Terry’s honour.

These days the site has been restored from the brink of ruin and now offers boutique holiday cottages and an onsite cafe called the Cattle Shed.

These cottages have been tastefully designed and feature all the amenities needed for a self-catering break in the countryside.

Penrhos offers a peaceful getaway and is located on 5 acres of idyllic countryside with plenty of walks nearby. It’s also located a short drive away from many of Herefordshire’s local pubs, restaurants and hiking trails for those looking to explore the area.

Where to stay in Herefordshire

From upscale hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, glamping sites and Airbnbs, there’s a huge range of accommodations in Herefordshire.

You can find a hotel to suit your budget and length of time by using travel resources such as booking.com to find the best accommodation deals in the area.

Some of the best places to stay in Herefordshire include:

Booking.com

Visiting Herefordshire FAQ

Where is Herefordshire located?

Herefordshire is a county located in the West Midlands region of England. It shares borders with Wales to the west, Shropshire to the north, Worcestershire to the east, and Gloucestershire to the south.

How do I get to Herefordshire?

Herefordshire is well-connected by road and public transportation. If you’re travelling by car, major roads such as the A49 and A438 provide easy access to the county. The nearest airports are Birmingham Airport and Bristol Airport, both offering domestic and international flights. Train services also operate in Hereford, the county’s main city, with direct connections from London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

What is the best time to visit Herefordshire?

Herefordshire is a year-round destination, each season offering its own unique charm. The spring and summer months (April to September) bring pleasant weather, vibrant landscapes, and various festivals and events. Autumn (October to November) showcases stunning foliage and harvest-related activities. Winter (December to February) brings a tranquil ambience, cosy pubs, and the possibility of seeing snow-capped landscapes. It ultimately depends on your preferences, but Herefordshire’s countryside beauty is often enjoyed during the spring and summer.

What are some must-visit attractions in Herefordshire?

Herefordshire offers a range of attractions to suit different interests. Hereford Cathedral is a must-visit, housing the famous Mappa Mundi and Chained Library. The Black and White Villages Trail takes you through picturesque timber-framed villages. The Wye Valley and the Malvern Hills provide breathtaking natural landscapes for outdoor enthusiasts. Other notable sites include Eastnor Castle, Berrington Hall, and Hampton Court Castle.

Are there any outdoor activities in Herefordshire?

Yes, Herefordshire is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The county offers numerous hiking, cycling, fishing, and horse riding opportunities. The Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is perfect for scenic walks and canoeing along the River Wye. The Malvern Hills offer panoramic views and trails for all levels of hikers. Herefordshire’s countryside is also dotted with orchards and vineyards, making it an ideal destination for leisurely countryside strolls.

What local food should I try in Herefordshire?

Herefordshire is known for its delicious local produce. Be sure to try Hereford beef, renowned for its quality and flavour. Cider production is also prominent in the region, with numerous cider orchards and cider makers offering tours and tastings. Herefordshire is also famous for its apple and pear varieties, so sampling local juices and ciders is recommended. Local cheeses, such as Hereford Hop and Monkland Cheese, are also worth trying.

Are there any cultural events or festivals in Herefordshire?

Herefordshire hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year. The Herefordshire and Ludlow Food Festival celebrates local food and drink. The Three Choirs Festival, one of the oldest classical music festivals in the world, rotates between Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire each year. The Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, held just across the border in Hay-on-Wye, attracts renowned authors and thinkers.

Can I explore Herefordshire by public transport?

While Herefordshire has limited public transportation options compared to larger cities, exploring the county using buses and trains is still possible. The city of Hereford is the main transportation hub, with a train station and bus services connecting local towns and villages.

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