Visit Herefordshire

Visit the Blossom County – Spring Staycations

For more inspiration, go to Visitherefordshire.co.uk

This spring, plan a pretty staycation in Herefordshire, the blossom county. It’s a fleeting moment – only six weeks – but it is an unmissable springtime spectacle!

Thousands of fruit trees bloom with frothy clouds of pink and white petals, starting at the end of March. Perfect for picnics and afternoon ambles.

Enjoy orchard tours & tastings at craft cider producers, walk and cycle along blossom-lined trails and tour the picture-perfect black and white villages.

Photo Credit: Naomi Moyo-Wilson

Kentchurch Court

Discover the deer park

The gardens at Kentchurch Court have developed over the years since John Lucy Scudamore inherited the house in 1815. Much of the 25 acre gardens roots can be found in the picturesque landscape style, popular during that period.

Hellens Garden Festival

Discover all that you can do with gardening

Hellens Garden Festival is an annual event, about discovering all that you can do with gardening and attending to the earth and environment. Believing that you can create and grow, wherever you live, whether you have a windowsill or a field. That working with Nature, can enhance biodiversity, learn valuable lessons and that being outdoors can improve our well being.

The Black Hill

Spectacular Views

The beautiful Black Hill, also known as ‘Crib y Garth’ is located in the Black Mountains, is an absolute must for keen hikers. Rising just west of the village of Craswall. The vantage points and views are just spectacular, looking out across the Welsh borders. Not to mention the sight of the gorgeous ponies that roam across this rugged landscape. There are various options for long or short walks, but all are worth the hike to the top. Look out for the spectacular red kites, buzzards and kestrels. They are regular visitors to the area too. This beautiful part of Herefordshire was also the setting for Bruce Chatwin’s novel ‘On the Black Hill’ which was later made into a film.

Haugh Woods

Traditional Orchards and Magical Woodlands

The name Haugh, which is pronounced “Hoff” is derived from the name of a Saxon owner. Indicating that this is the site of an ancient wood. Haugh Woods, is nationally important for butterflies and moths, with over 600 species recorded within it. It is one of the top 10 woods in the country and is designated as a SSSI due to the presence of these invertebrates.

With over 850 acres to explore the ancient woodland at Haugh woods is full of beauty and charm and is a haven for cyclists, walkers, nature lovers and photographers.

Westonbury Mill Water Gardens

Ambitious, Beautiful and Fun

Home to the largest cuckoo clock in England, over 3 acres of vivid and colorful plants are laid out across a twist of streams and ponds. Explore the wildflower meadow, enjoy the splendid views, or venture up the spiral path. Marvel, relax, and rejuvenate.

Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum

An amazing 123-acre ancient woodland

Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is just wonderful to walk around. The views are just breathtaking. With its fantastic arboretum, a 47-acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees, this really is the place to be. If you adore wildlife and nature you’ll love the dramatic show of colors, fragrances, and wildlife all throughout the year.

Once part of the Hampton Court Estate during the 17th century. Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is now designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Local Nature Reserve (LNR).

Rhodds Farm Garden

The perfect garden to enjoy a peaceful moment.

To the North of the county, Rhodds Farm Garden sits between a hillside of 13 acres of overhanging woodland full of bluebells. With far-reaching views to the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains. Created by the owner, a professional garden designer, the garden includes an extensive range of unusual trees and shrubs, with large areas of perennials, wild-flower meadows, hot borders, a gravel garden, formal garden, three ponds, and a new arboretum.  This is a natural garden that fits well within its setting and was described in a Country Life article as ‘a romantic, timeless garden’.

Brobury House Gardens

A Charming Victorian Building with Tranquil Gardens

Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Brobury House and Gardens, which resides on the banks of The River Wye with panoramic views of the surrounding Herefordshire countryside. An idyllic setting perfect for nature lovers, gardeners, artists, photographers, and those who appreciate beautiful surroundings. A delightful spot for a stroll with some lovely places to sit and enjoy a picnic.

Hergest Croft Gardens

Considered to be one of the finest collections in the British Isles

The beautiful gardens of RHS veterans Lawrence and Elizabeth Banks, Hergest Croft Gardens, is an absolute delight. Revel in the vastness of the 70 acres of gardens filled with over 5000 rare trees and shrubs. Explore the six distinct themed areas, including a huge range of exotic champion trees. With fantastic new sculptures by Rachel Ricketts and Rolf Hook, take your time and enjoy every moment.

Herefordshire Ramblers

A Relaxing and Rewarding Way to Experience the Countryside

Rambling groups help local people and visitors enjoy walking, and they protect the places we all love to walk. Most groups organise regular walks led by local experts – a great way to get outside, make new friends and discover a new area, and how walking boosts your health and happiness.

The Laskett Gardens

A loving Celebration of Nature and Gardens

Set in the idyllic countryside of Herefordshire on the Welsh borders, are the creation of Sir Roy Strong CH and his late wife Julia Trevelyan Oman CBE. The gardens – created from a bare field – were begun in 1974 and have continued to evolve ever since.  They are the creative fruit of a happy marriage between two people who were at the centre of the arts for much of the latter half of the twentieth century. That story is uniquely etched into the Gardens covering 4 acres of beautiful Herefordshire.

Not to be missed when visiting Hereford!

Hereford Guided Walks

Let the Hereford Guild of Guides take you around the historic city of Hereford

Hereford is a historic Cathedral City with a fascinating past and a busy present. Its modern origins lie in the 7th century and its strategic site on the Wye, in the much-disputed borderland between England and Wales, made it as important to the Saxons as to the Normans and their successors.

The City played a leading part in the events before and after the Norman Conquest, through the turbulent Middle Ages and during the Civil War. It developed as a quiet market town and Cathedral City. Today it is vigorous and thriving, a home for 60,000 people and a focal point of a rich farming area.

Symonds Yat

Take in Herefordshire from the breathtaking viewpoint of Yat Rock

Symonds Yat is a village and popular tourist destination which straddles the River Wye in England. Famed for its natural river scenery and wooded expanses, Symonds Yat Rock is a limestone outcrop rising some 500 feet rising from the banks of the River Wye.

The river winds its way around the outcrop through a deeply wooded gorge. Yat Rock is one of the best-known viewpoints in the Wye Valley and The Royal Forest of Dean.

Famous for breathtaking views, canoeing, walks, and exhilarating bike trails, there is a lot to discover at Symonds Yat, find out more by clicking the link below.

Golden Valley Llamas

Experience the company of these charming and inquisitive woolly beasts

A llama trekking experience with Golden Valley Llamas is very rewarding. Learn how to halter your own llama before grooming and bonding with him or her. A walk from the farm gate will take in glorious countryside and you will enjoy watching your llama be alert to everything.

There are 15 llamas on the farm and the hosts are very proud that for the last two years they have produced the British Llama Society Supreme National Champion. Carnac and Loupin are two of the trekkers so you may step out with a very select animal!

The Weir Garden

Escape to the spectacular Weir Garden riverside and be absorbed by natural beauty.

Walk Herefordshire

Herefordshire offers 2100 miles of largely undiscovered and unspoiled footpaths

These include the 154 miles of the recently opened Herefordshire Trail. It is the only long-distance trail in England, which is within the same county boundary.  Go to the One Stop Walk Shop for guided walks for both the novice and adventurous walker. View the range of walking activities: