10 Best Things To Do in Herefordshire, England
Herefordshire is a country in England, located in the West Midlands and borders Wales. It is a beautiful, tranquil place to visit – and is especially good if you love nature and want to visit somewhere with lots of countryside things to do. Read on for the 10 best things to do in Herefordshire, England!
Contents:
Why visit Herefordshire?
Why visit Herefordshire? If you want a countryside get-away with a real English feel, then Herefordshire is perfect for that! It is a rural county and is easily accessed by train or by car. The closest international airports are Birmingham (BHX) and Cardiff (CWL).
What is Herefordshire famous for?
What is Herefordshire famous for? Great question! Herefordshire is famous for lots of things – which makes it very unique. It is very well known for its Herefordshire Cattle – distinguishable by its red and white coat. Herefordshire is also famous for its cider, most notably Westons Cider, and you can also visit where it’s made. Furthermore, Herefordshire has lots of history, such as its iconic Tudor buildings – which look great in photos!
The 10 Best Things To Do in Herefordshire, England:
1. Canoe or Kayak down the River Wye
The River Wye runs all along Herefordshire – and is also the fourth longest river in the UK as it’s 155 miles long! If you like outdoor sports such as canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding, then the River Wye is perfect for these types of activities.
The best place to go canoeing (or do the other activities) is from Ross-on-Wye as there are lots of good companies that offer it around here and there is also lots of parking. Here are some of the best canoeing companies in the area:
2. Mappa Mundi
Mappa Mundi is definitely one for history lovers! It is the largest medieval map in the world – measuring 1.59 x 1.34 metres (5’2” by 4’4”). Mappa Mundi is believed to have been made in 1300 and shows how geography was understood in Christian Europe at the time. It is located in Hereford Cathedral, but you have to pay to view it.
Here you will also be able to see the largest surviving chained library in the world, as well as the Magna Carta 1217. Tickets cost £6 for adults, £5 for students, and there are various different family tickets to purchase.
3. Hay-on-Wye
Hay-on-Wye is located right on the border of Wales. It is most famous for being filled with books – honestly, they’re everywhere! There are lots of charming little bookshops, quaint cafes, and quirky shops. It’s known as the first book town in the world, so if you’re a book lover, a few hours in Hay-on-Wye is perfect for you.
Here are a few un-missable places to visit in Hay-on-Wye:
4. Eastnor Castle
Eastnor Castle is a 19th-century mock castle located about 8 minutes outside Ledbury. You can walk there, but I recommend taking a car. It is surrounded by the brilliant Malvern Hills and vast amounts of nature.
Often there are events on the castle’s grounds, such as the Chilly Festival, Easter Events, etc. However, aside from the events, there is also the opportunity to explore the castle, visit the grounds and arboretum, get lost in the maze and snack in the tea room. There are plenty of things to do!
5. Hampton Court Castle
Hampton Court Castle is a magnificent castle dating back to 1427. It is full of history and was originally built by Henry IV, and has since been owned by lots of different types of rich people throughout history. It is open to the public for guided tours from Spring to Autumn, and there are also stunning gardens to be explored. It’s one of the best things to do in Herefordshire if you love learning about history.
It is located near Leominster and is only accessible by car. Tickets for the gardens cost: Adults- £9.50, seniors (65+) -£8.50, children (4-15) – £5.50 and under 4s are free. It is extra to visit the castle.
6. Goodrich Castle
Goodrich Castle is a Norman medieval castle ruin located in Goodrich, which is near Ross-on-Wye. It is beautifully standing in the open countryside and is one of the best preserved medieval castles in England. There are lots of interesting displays to read about in order to allow you to understand the history of the castle better.
On the site, there is free parking and a short walk to the castle from the car park. It is owned by English Heritage, so there is also a gift shop where you can buy traditional English items and a cafe. It is also a good place to have a picnic!
7. Queenswood Country Park & Arboutourium
Queenswood Country Park & Arboutourium is the ideal place to visit if you want to go for a walk in nature. It is located between Hereford and Leominster and is accessible by car, but you have to pay for parking. There is a cafe available and plenty of trails to wander along and explore. Often, there are also events that are put on, such as Gruffalo events and adventure clubs.
Parking costs £4 for all-day parking, but all the funds from parking go into conserving the park – so it’s for a good cause! It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Herefordshire if you want to experience nature.
8. Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo
The Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is one of the best things to do in Herefordshire with kids. Here you’ll get to see so many different types of beautiful butterflies flying around you and eating off of the plants and flowers. They are very passionate about butterfly conservation, and the butterflies are very well taken care of.
Tickets to Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo cost £6.25 for adults, £4.50 for children aged 5-15 and £5 for OAPs and students. There are also lots of fun things to do here too, such as a hedge maze, miniature golf and paintball.
9. Haugh Wood
Haugh Wood is located just a few minutes outside of Hereford City, the capital of Herefordshire (if you couldn’t guess by the name 😉 ). Here, there are lots of beautiful walks to wander around. It isn’t too steep, so it is great for just a gentle stroll. There is free parking, but it is limited – it does get very busy in the summer months.
If you have dogs, then Haugh Wood is one of the best things to do in Herefordshire if you’re looking for dog-friendly things to do.
10. Ross-on-Wye
Ross-on-Wye is a cute little market town located about 25 minutes away from Hereford. It is the perfect place to visit if you want to visit some independent shops and cafes with tasty homemade cakes. Ross-on-Wye is also next to the River Wye, so it’s a great place to visit if you want to walk along the peaceful river.
Here are some of the most un-missable places to visit in Ross-on-Wye:
- The Market House
- River Walk – Ross-on-Wye
- Royal Hotel
- Made in Ross
Have you ever been to Herefordshire? What would you recommend to visit? Let me know! If you’d like to read some other similar posts, here’s what I’d recommend:
*Some of these links are affiliates, meaning I get a commission if you buy from them – at no extra cost for you 😉
