Herefordshire is a picturesque rural county, wedged between England & Wales. This corner of the UK offers a tapestry of rolling hills, quaint villages, & the tranquil waters of the River Wye, which is one of Britain’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Making it a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re exploring the medieval architecture of Hereford Cathedral or savouring local delicacies at a bustling farmers’ market, it’s here that you’ll get to experience the timeless allure of rural England, at its best.
Our guide is packed with everything you need to know to enjoy a relaxing but adventurous weekend exploring Herefordshire & all its wonders.
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Herefordshire who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
When is the best time to visit Herefordshire?
Much like most of the UK, Herefordshire is an all-year-round destination, as unfortunately you can never really guarantee the weather, even in summer. With that being said, we would suggest that you stick to Spring, Summer & early Autumn for this particular itinerary. As many of the activities we are going to discuss involve being outdoors.
However, on our recent trip, in early July (2024), we didn’t have glorious sunshine the entire time, but the temperature was pleasant enough to enjoy the great outdoors. We would suggest avoiding peak summer late July-August as this is the busiest time of year, due to the summer holidays.
How to get there/around?
Whilst you can access Herefordshire by public transport, as trains from UK hubs such as London, do travel to Hereford. We would suggest that you visit the county via car, as once in the county it is very rural & a car will take the stress out of figuring out the public transport system.
Moreover, if you don’t have access to your own car, we would suggest that you rent one either from you origin destination or once you arrive in Hereford. Many of the well-known car rental companies operate in the city, you can book here.
Where to stay in Herefordshire
Herefordshire is well known for its many glamping options across the county. It is the perfect place to reconnect with nature during your stay, as it is in such abundance here. From treehouses, cabins in the woods to glamping tents & shepherd’s huts, there are plenty of unique stays to choose from in Herefordshire. Read more about Glamping in Herefordshire.
We chose to stay at the gorgeous Nature’s Nest, situated on the banks of the River Wye, approximately a 20-minute drive from Hereford. Nature’s Nest is the epitome of a rural escape into the wilderness. The glamping tents are equipped to sleep 6 people, so there is plenty of room for all the family or a group of friends.
Furthermore, every detail has been thought of at Nature’s Nest, with a well-equipped kitchen, hot tub, hammocks & plush beds that we slept a dream on. You will almost forget that you are staying in a tent. Moreover, a great touch is that you are able to rent paddle boards & e-bikes to enjoy the great outdoors on your doorstep. The River Wye is a literal stone’s throw away, follow the path through a field & you’ll be greeted by the beauty of this river. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a wild swim or an afternoon on a paddle board.
Day 1: Welcome to Herefordshire
Arguably, there is no better place to start your adventure in the county, than the historical city of Hereford. The city is charming & steeped in history as well as natural beauty. However, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbours, Hereford offers a unique blend of medieval architecture, lush countryside, and a rich cultural tapestry that invites you back time & time again. Spend the morning here walking down the adorable cobble stoned streets, making sure you stop by Hereford Cathedral & Church Street for some great photo opportunities.
Hereford Cathedral dates back to the 7th century & is a wonderful display of gothic architecture in the heart of the city. It is worth spending some time strolling the grounds, but also taking a look inside (it’s free to enter). The cathedral is a really lovely, quiet place to take in the history of Hereford.
Church Street is situated adjacent to Hereford Cathedral & is lined by pretty boutique shops & cafes. It is here that you can get a great view looking back onto the Cathedral, with the little shops neatly framing the view. Be sure to pop into the likes of Fodder & The Mouse Trap Cheese Shop, to sample some of Herefordshire’s local produce.
Finally, after perusing the city, you’ll have likely worked up an appetite. Hereford is home to some gorgeous cafes & restaurants, so you will certainly be spoilt for choice. However, we totally recommend visiting The Bookshop, this cosy restaurant is the perfect place to grab brunch on your way through Hereford. Serving mostly brunch style cuisine, ranging from pancakes to your classic Eggs Benedict, but with a blend of unique flavours & design.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice on the menu, then take it from us & try either the New York Breakfast Bun with Fries or the Mac & Cheese on toast. Both were extremely delicious & will leave you feeling satisfied for most of the day.
An afternoon at Nature’s Nest
It’s time to head to the countryside! As you make your way towards Nature’s Nest for check in time, it would be wise to pick up some supplies along the way. The location of the glamping site is remote & therefore you will want to have everything you need food wise, before you arrive. Fortunately, there is a great farm shop close to Nature’s Nest, called Pengethley Farm Shop. They sell everything you would need, with an onsite bakery & butchers too. Most of the produce sold is local to Herefordshire, making it a great way to support local businesses whilst visiting.
Once at Nature’s Nest & you’ve had some time to settle in, make the most of the River Wye being quite literally on your doorstep & hire a paddle board to take out onto the water. Paddleboards are available to hire from Nature’s Nest & must be pre-arranged to your stay. There is a beach landing located at the end of the field opposite the glamping tents, reserved specifically for guest use. It is here where you can launch your paddle board & enjoy a couple of hours paddling downstream.
Lastly, spend the evening enjoying a meal as the sun goes down. Nature’s Nest has a fully equipped kitchen, no different to the kitchen you likely have at home. Before settling down for a night on the wild side.
Day 2: on the River Wye
With the River Wye at your disposal, it would be rude not to spend time exploring more of this AONB. Another great way to make the most of the river is to jump in a canoe with Hereford Canoe Hire. When you hire a canoe with them, you’ll get the opportunity to paddle around 8 miles along the quietest stretch of the River Wye. Passing lush forests, open countryside, adorable villages & keeping an eye out for wildlife that frequent the river.
The route starts at the Lucksall Caravan Park & Campsite, which is where you will be met by your guide if you hadn’t already arranged to be picked up from your accomodation. Once you have launched from the campsite, you can set off downstream, in the direction of Tresseck Campsite, which is the finishing point of the route. It should take approximately 3 hours one way, making sure to stop for some lunch & admire the views along the way.
Moreover, if you choose to stay at Nature’s Nest, this route goes straight past the guest landing point. So why not stop for a cup of tea en route to your destination, the perfect way to break up the adventure. On completion of your expedition, the guys at Hereford Canoe Hire will kindly taxi you back to your accomodation.
Book your canoe here. Prices are around £30-£35 per person.
After a soak in the hot tub back at Nature’s Nest, it’ll be almost time for dinner. Luckily, in the nearby hamlet of Carey, is the Cottage of Content, a 15th century rural country pub, serving delicious pub style food. This is the most idyllic spot to enjoy a beer in the garden or a steak in the restaurant, amongst the peacefulness of Herefordshire’s countryside. The Cottage of Content is a short walk from Nature’s Nest (20 minutes), or alternatively you could hire e-bikes from Nature’s Nest & cycle your way down there.
Day 3: Medieval Ledbury
On your final day in Herefordshire, you should absolutely head towards the medieval market town of Ledbury. The town is known for its Tudor style timber framed houses that line the streets. In fact, Ledbury is home to one of the most picturesque streets in England, Church Lane. Which is where your visit to Ledbury should start.
Hidden down Church Lane is the ever so unassuming The Malthouse. A beautiful cafe set in a small courtyard, serving some of the most delicious food on offer in town. Swing by here for some fuel for the day, we’d recommend sinking your teeth into the Meze platter or the bacon & eggs on toast. It would be rude not to indulge in a side of halloumi too.
Once you are feeling satisfied, head off around town for a nosey in some of the boutique shops & admire the unique architecture of the town. If you decide to visit Ledbury during July, you may even catch the annual Poetry Festival, as we did.
Just outside of Ledbury, buried in the surrounding hills is the unique opportunity to sample some classic English wine at the gorgeous Coddington Vineyard. The vineyard is located on the property of the family who live & run this small vineyard. On a visit here you’ll have the pleasure of meeting the owners, wandering through the stunning grounds & vineyard, as well as sampling the fruitful wine that grows here in Herefordshire.
Sit down in the peaceful gardens, for an afternoon of wine tasting in the English countryside, it really doesn’t get any more idyllic than this. Before you leave, make sure to pop into the cellar door & pick up a bottle of your favourite Coddington wine to enjoy at home.
For more inspiration on your trip head over to Visit Herefordshire. If you enjoyed reading this, you may also enjoy: How to Explore Rural Essex in one Weekend.
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