Unique 17th Century Overnight Stay | The Summerhouse at Homme

The Summerhouse

Welcome

Welcome to our little corner of Herefordshire.

We suspect you have come to escape, relax and enjoy yourselves, so we will do our best to keep the serious details to a minimum, but include a few important details about the Summerhouse and your stay below.

We hope you have a fantastic time enjoying the Summerhouse, Walled Garden and all that Herefordshire has to offer.

The Summerhouse

We have included some further information about the Summerhouse below. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you need anything.

We hope you will enjoy your stay with us in this unique historic building, which dates from the 1680s, and will help us to look after a Grade I listed historic gem.

Contact Details

Homme House main office: 01531 660 864

Charlie Mobile: 07764 346 725

Sarah Mobile: 07709 432 615

Jocelyn Mobile: 07900 215 171

Coming to & from The Homme House Estate

Please use the entrance gates directly off the A449 (Ledbury to Ross-on-Wye) road, opposite Bodenham Farm.

Check In & Check Out

Check in is at any time from 3pm. Check out from the Estate is by 11am on the day of departure.

Parking and Access

Please use the gravel parking bay on the other side of the track from the bathroom building.

Summerhouse guests have access to the Walled Garden and the grassy area outside the wall behind the Summerhouse. Guests are also welcome to walk down to the village on the drive through our historic parkland. The drive is the first turn on the right after the speed bump  just before you exit the estate and the walk is approximately 1 mile. Please close any gates you use. 

Guests do not have access to the front of the main house, the main gardens below the Walled Garden or the woodland behind the Summerhouse. 

Homme House is a working estate so there may be maintenance work taking place in the Walled Garden and woodlands during the working week.

The Walled Garden is walled and gated to keep out the naughty animals which eat the plants. Please close any gates you use.

Please do not wear wet, grassy or muddy shoes inside the Summerhouse.

Catering

There is a basket behind the front door containing crockery, cutlery, jars with tea, coffee and sugar, and milk in the outdoor fridge. There is also a tray and an electric kettle provided. Provisions for a continental breakfast will be provided.

There is a Kadai firebowl on the Walled Garden patio which you are welcome to use as either as fire or a BBQ.  Please replace the metal lid once you have finished using it to keep it dry (this can be done while still burning).

There is an undercover washing up area outside the bathroom. Please put any food waste in the bin underneath the sink table and replace the lid (we get visits from foxes, badgers and the like). Please put any recyclable waste in the galvanised container under the sink table.

Electricity & Lighting

Given its Grade I listing the Summerhouse has very limited electrical wiring. There is a double electric socket behind the front door in the Summerhouse with an extension cable running into the bedroom. There is also a double electric socket on the rear external wall of the bathroom, and a shaver socket above the shelf inside the bathroom.

The lower chamber has two electric bedside masthead lights; there is also an extension cable under the bed for charging phones, laptops etc. There is no electricity in the upper chamber. We are unfortunately unable to allow the use of real candles in the Summerhouse, but there are battery powered portable lanterns for use outside after dark and on the spiral staircase at night. Please do turn them off when you go to bed as the batteries run down quickly. There is a cable provided upstairs to re-charge the battery lanterns as and when required.

The bathroom has electric lighting, including an outside light over the washing up area controlled by a push button on the wall to the right of the sink. This button is on a timer – the light will stay on for c. 20 minutes. 

Heating and Plumbing

The Summerhouse

The Summerhouse is a grade I listed building and therefore does not have modern plumbing.

The upper chamber is heated by a wood burning stove which we encourage you to use. A basket of logs is provided, with paper and kindling in the separate wicker hamper. Please help yourself to extra wood from the store behind the bathroom. 

A summary for safe operation:

  • lay a bed of crumpled newspaper and kindling in the base of the stove, no more than c. 10cm high.
  • fully open the top and bottom valves, and light the stove. Close the door immediately after lighting.
  • once the fire is established gradually add logs, using the gloves provided as all parts of the stove get extremely hot.
  • to slow the burning of the fire and control the temperature, shut down the bottom valves.
  • please avoid closing the top valves as the glass will become sooted up.
  • don’t put anything on top of or too close to the stove.

There is a thermometer on the top of the stove. To operate the stove safely please avoid the temperature rising above 400-500 degrees.

If you are too warm in the Summerhouse, do feel free to open the windows but please ensure that they are secured with the metal stays.                                                                  

The Bathroom

The bathroom is equipped with an LPG combi-boiler serving a heated towel rail (timed, morning and night) and hot water in the shower and taps (which need to be turned off with a bit of force or they will drip).

Please note that the bathroom is not on mains drainage. To prevent blockages, please flush only loo roll down the loo, using the bin provided for all other waste. Environmentally friendly washing products have been provided for guests’ use. 

Additional Seating

There are 2 waterproof canvas deck chairs which you are welcome to use outside, along with any cushions as long as the ground is dry.

There are 2 single roll mattresses in the lower chamber which can be used to lie in front of the fire in the upper chamber. Please do not use these outside. 

Safety

There is a general purpose fire extinguisher and a first aid kit located behind the front door of the Summerhouse. Please do not smoke inside the Summerhouse – there is a sand-filled pot just outside the front door for disposal of cigarette ends when smoking outside. 

Sustainability

We are on a mission to reduce the impact of life at Homme, and the events and stays we host here. You can read more about our sustainability journey here.

What can you do?
While you’re staying with us, you can make your stay as light on the planet as possible by:

  • Conserving energy: turn off lights and appliances when not needed/going out, don’t overfill kettles
  • Reducing Waste & Recycling: separate landfill waste from recyclables where possible, using the receptacles provided
  • Using the separate food waste bin for any food waste (no packaging please)
  • Supporting local businesses while out and about

Thank you!

The Local Area

There is much to do and see in the local area. More detail is available below, but feel free to use this map to explore what’s on offer (click the button at the top left to expand the menu and filter by category – pubs & restaurants, drink, cafés, shopping, heritage, hiking, family and essentials). The hiking pins show start points for walks in beautiful parts of the local area, with distances and Komoot links for possible route options.

Local Facilities

Accident & Emergency

Hereford General Hospital 01432 355444 (for minor injuries there is an A&E department at Ledbury Hospital open 24hrs a day – 01531 632488)

Bakeries, Butchers & Grocers

There is a wealth of options in Ledbury.

Dentist

The Hospital, Bye Street, Ledbury 01531 637615

Doctors Surgery

St. Katherine’s Surgery, Bye Street, Ledbury 01531 633271

Pharmacy

The nearest pharmacy is in Ledbury – Boots on the High Street.

Petrol Stations

The nearest petrol stations are:

  • Ledbury: The Homend, opposite Tesco, or Parkway (leaving Ledbury as you head for the M50)
  • Ross-on-Wye: Southbound Overcross, HR9 7QJ (on dual carriageway leading towards the main Ross-on-Wye roundabout from Much Marcle)

Police Station

Worcester Road, Ledbury 03003 333000

Post Offices

Ledbury High Street

Railway Station

The Homend, Ledbury

Supermarkets

The nearest supermarkets are as follows:

  • Ledbury (10 mins): Tesco, The Homend & Co-Op, New Street
  • Ross-on-Wye (10mins): Morrisons, Station Street & Sainsbury’s, The Maltings
  • Hereford (30mins): Aldi, Eign Street & Waitrose, Auctioneers Walk, The Old Market 

Taxis

Access Taxis 07749 621594

Venture Private Hire 07889 299283

A2B 01531 633667

Local Attractions

The countryside around Homme House is beautiful and offers lots to do. Let us know if you would like any recommendations.

Shopping

Farm Shops,  Markets & Delicatessens

Hereford farmer’s market, Hightown, HR1 2AA (c. 30 min)

Every Thursday from 9am-2pm.

Ross-on-Wye farmer’s market, Market Hall, HR9 5NX (c. 10 min)

First Friday of every month from 9am-1pm.

Ledbury country market, St. Katherine’s Hall (c. 10 min)

Every Friday from 8.30am-12noon.

Ledbury farmers market, High St. (c. 10 min)

Fourth Friday of every month from 9am-2pm.

Kempley produce market (c. 5 min)

Second Saturday of every month.

Whitethorn Farm, Carey, HR2 6NJ (c. 20 min)

Farm shop open Fridays 9am-5pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.

Ceci Paolo, High St, Ledbury (c. 10 min)

Deli, cafe, designer womenswear, homewares.

The Market House Deli, Market Square, Ledbury (c. 10 min)

Other Shopping

Baileys, Whitecross Farm, Bridstow, HR9 6JU (c. 12 min)

Homewares and weekend cafe.

Warehouse 701 & Wye Valley Reclamation Yard, Lloyd George House, Fordshill Road, Rotherwas Industrial Estate, HR2 6NS (c. 25 min)

Homewares, furniture and reclamation yard.

Tinsmiths, Tinsmiths Alley, High St, Ledbury (c. 10 min)

Interiors, lighting, fabric, homewares.

Hus & Hem, The Design Quarter, 12 High Street, Ledbury (c. 10 min)

Scandinavian homewares and fabrics.

The Hop Pocket, Bishops Frome, WR6 5BT (c. 20 min)

Shopping village including farm shop, deli, cafe, home-wares, antiques, clothing and children’s play area.

The Hereford Beer House, 65 West St, Hereford HR4 0BX

Excellent specialist beer and cider shop and micro-pub.

Food & Drink

Cafes

The Malthouse, Church Lane, Ledbury

Coffee Culture, High Street, Ledbury

The Ledberry, 36 The Homend, Ledbury

Pubs

The Feathers Hotel, High Street, Ledbury (c. 10 min)

16th century, timber-framed hotel with garden terrace, cosy bar and ‘Fuggles’ restaurant.

The Butcher’s Arms, Woolhope, HR1 4RF (c. 15 min)

16th century, timber-framed hotel with beer garden, cosy bar with log fires and good food.

The Crown, Woolhope, HR1 4QP (c. 15 min)

The Walwyn Arms, Much Marcle (c. 2 min)

Our closest pub can be walked to through the Homme House park in around 20 minutes. It has been newly refurbished but retains traditional feel and has log fires, an indoor skittle alley, a darts area and an outdoor children’s play area.

The Slip Tavern, Much Marcle (c. 5 min)

The Royal Oak, Much Marcle (c. 5 min)

The Moody Cow, Upton Bishop, HR9 7TT (c. 7 min)

This is a newly refurbished pub with a good reputation for food. 

The Green Man, Fownhope, HR1 4PE (c. 15 min)

16th century, timber-framed hotel with beer garden, cosy bar with log fires and good food.

The Kilcot Inn, Ross Road, Kilcot, Newent, GL18 1NA (c. 20 min)

Traditional bar and restaurant serving locally sourced food and drink.

The Beer in Hand, Eignbrook House, 136 Eign Street, Hereford, HR4 OAP (c. 30 min)

Offers a huge range of local ale, craft beer and real cider.

The Wellington Inn, Chances Pitch, Colwall, Malvern, WR13 6HW (c. 15 min)

Excellent food and wine close to the foot of the Malvern Hills.

Special Occasion Restaurants

The Walnut Tree, Llanddewi Skirrid, Abergavenny, NP7 8AW (c. 45 min)

Michelin starred restaurant.

The Bell at Skenfrith (c. 30 min)

This restaurant has won many awards for its food, including 2 AA rosettes and the best place to eat (pub) in the Wales National Tourism Awards. The menus change every six to eight weeks and offer locally-sourced seasonal food, much from the kitchen garden when in season.

The Whitebrook, Near Monmouth, NP25 4TX (c. 35 min)

Awarded 1 Michelin Star in the 2015 guide, and 3 new AA rosettes.

Butchers Arms, Lime St, Eldersfield, Gloucester, GL19 4NX (c. 30 min)

A rural pub, with low ceilings, wooden floors, roaring fires and real ale served straight from the cask with a Michelin Starred restaurant.

5 North St, Winchcombe, Cheltenham, GL54 5LH (c. 40 min)

Michelin starred restaurant in the Cotswolds.

The Castle House, Castle Street, Hereford HR1 2NW (c. 30 min)

The Castle overlooks Hereford’s castle moat with a seasonally-changing menu.

The Stag Inn, Titley, Kington HR5 3RL (c. 60 min)

The Stagg is part medieval, part early Victorian with a bit of the 1970s.  Today it is rustic in feel with a small bar and three dining rooms. They were the first pub to be awarded a Michelin Star and have been Herefordshire Dining Pub of the Year for 8 yrs  in The Good Pub Guide and a top 20 pub in the Good Food Guide. 

The Hardwick, Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 9AA (c. 45 min)

A highly awarded restaurant  – Michel Roux’s favourite apparently!

Takeaways

The Olive Tree (Italian), 44 High Street, Ledbury 01531 634181

Sitara (Indian), 19 High Street, Ledbury 01531 630088

Golden Gate (Chinese), 18 Bye Street, Ledbury 01531 631733

Quality Fish & Chips, 76 Bye Street, Ledbury 01531 635047

Tangs Fish Bar, 137-139 The Homend, Ledbury 01531 632658

Local Cider/Distillery

Westons Cider Mill, Much Marcle, HR8 2NQ (c. 5 min)

Visitor centre, museum, tours, play area, shop and Scrumpy House restaurant.

Visitor centre and facilities open all year round.

Broome Farm, Peterstow, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 6QG (c. 15 min)

Cellar open every day for tastings and purchases. Also have live music events, orchards and alpacas!

Hereford Cider Museum and Distillery, 21 Ryelands Street, Hereford (c. 30 min)

Museum, distillery, off-license, tea room and shop.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm (April-Oct) or 11am-3pm (Nov-March).

See the Cider Route map of all the cider producers on the Herefordshire ‘Cider Route’ who have opened up their doors allowing you to peep into the fascinating world of Cider & Perry production and taste cider and perry straight from the casks. 

Vineyards

Coddington Vineyard, Coddington, HR8 1JJ (c. 20 min)

Vineyard shop open Fridays and Saturdays 2-5pm March-Dec.

Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent, GL18 1LS (c. 20 min)

Vineyard, shop and restaurant. Open daily 9am-5pm with tours from March at 11.30am.

Frome Valley Vineyard, Paunton Court, Bishops Frome, WR6 5BJ (c. 25 min)

April to October, Wednesday to Saturday  11.30am-5pm

Days Out

Towns & Cities

Ledbury (c. 10 min)

Ledbury is a traditional market town with many timber framed buildings and an old market house. The alleyways off the High Street are packed with interesting independent shops and cafes. The Market Theatre is the closest cinema.

Great Malvern (c. 20 min)

Malvern is a hillside town which good shops, cafes, and a great theatre. Places to visit include St. Ann’s well, Malvern Priory and the Elgar Route. 

Ross-on-Wye (c. 10 min)

Ross is a traditional market town on the banks of the River Wye with good book and antique shops and riverside pubs.

Hereford (c. 30 min)

Hereford is a cathedral city on the banks of the River Wye. The historical centre has some lovely shops, cafes, galleries and theatres and a new shopping mall with Waitrose and Odeon cinema has also just been built. Also visit the 13th Century Mappa Mundi at Hereford Cathedral – the largest medieval map of the world in existence.

Worcester (c. 40 min)

The Cathedral in Worcester has dominated the town for 900 years and contains King John’s tomb.  The City is also the home of Worcester Porcelain where visitors can take a guided tour of the working factory.

Gloucester (c. 30 min)

The glory of the City is the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful buildings in England.  The area around the docks has been carefully restored and converted into shops and restaurants, and there is a large antiques centre and The National Waterways Museum is here.

Monmouth (c. 45 min)

Monmouth is a Welsh border market town with a riverside setting, including a 13th century bridge at the point where the Wye meets the Monmow. It has an attractive town centre and is a good place to stop for a coffee if you’ve done a walk in the local area. 

Hay-on-Wye (c. 60 min)

Hay is an hour away from Much Marcle but well worth the journey. It is famous for it’s second hand book shops but also has lots of great antiques and homewares shops as well as lovely delis and cafes. 

Abergavenny (c. 45 min)

This is a real foodie town with some of the area’s best restaurants, lovely shops and a ruined castle set in the beautiful Welsh hills. 

Upton-upon-Severn (c. 30 min)

Upton is a small Worcestershire town, with an attractive riverside setting. It offers a selection of interesting shops an art galleries as well as plenty of pubs and restaurants.

Cheltenham (c. 40 min)

Cheltenham is a beautiful Regency spa town with the best shopping, galleries, theatre, cafes and bars in the local area. 

Walking

A couple of walk options from the doorstep:

A 1.25 mile/25-30 minute walk from Homme to Westons Cider to visit the Cider Museum, Shop & Scrumpy House restaurant. Follow the numbered markers for directions.

A c. 4.5 mile/2-3 hour loop from Homme to Hellens Manor on the other side of the village (well worth a visit) and on through meadow, ancient woodland and farmland. A beautiful walk for the wild daffodils, wood anemones and bluebells in spring. Follow the numbered markers for directions. Note: sections of this walk can be wet and muddy at any time of the year.

Malvern Hills (c. 20 min)

The entire 9 mile length of the Hills are open to the public and are criss-crossed with about 160km (100 miles) of bridleways and footpaths with far reaching views of the surrounding counties. The highest point on the Hills is the Worcestershire Beacon (425m). The easiest place to park is at the British Camp on the road to Malvern.

May Hill, near Huntley (c. 30 min)

The summit and surrounding area of May Hill consists of a wide expanse of open grassland, bracken and gorse with boggy areas and pools. The hill is capped by a clump of pine trees, planted in 1887 to commemorate the golden jubilee of Queen Victoria. May Hill Common covers 30 hectares of common land acquired by the National Trust in 1988. This attractive area of bracken and developing trees (mainly birch, oak and crab apple) is still grazed by the commoners’ ponies, pigs and occasionally sheep. There are beautiful views to the north and west across Herefordshire. 

The Black & White Village Trail (c. 60 min)

This is a circular, clockwise meander that takes in some of the most unspoilt villages and churches of North-West Herefordshire. Many of the buildings go back to Domesday and beyond. On the Black and white trail you will near the town of Kington on the A44 go through the town and then take the B4355 to Titley, where you will find the first pub in the UK to be awarded a Michelin star, The Stag inn.

Offas Dyke (c. 45 min)

Offa’s Dyke dates from the 8th century and is Britain’s longest ancient monument, criss-crossing the English/Welsh border up the Wye Valley to Monmouth, past book capital Hay-on-Wye into the Shropshire hills then Clwydian Hills that peel to Prestatyn. Hike the lot and you’ll cover 177 miles, pass through eight counties and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Wye Valley, Shropshire Hills and Clwydian Hills).

The Forest of Dean (c. 30 min)

The forest has historically been a royal hunting ground as well as a centre of industry in the extraction of iron and coal and is now one of the few remaining ancient woodlands in Britain. There are many way-marked Forestry Commission trails. 

The Golden Valley (c. 45 min)

The Golden Valley winds its way sheltered between the Black Mountains and the banks of the River Dore. With Hay-on-Wye a close neighbour to the village of Dorstone, the valley winds down through Peterchurch, Vowchurch and Abbey Dore to Ewyas Harold at the south of the Golden Valley. These time-forgotten villages are set in some of the most untouched Herefordshire countryside you could ever hope to see. 

The Wye Valley (c. 15 min)

Listed as an ‘Area of Outstanding  Natural Beauty’, this is a 136 mile (218km) walk of startling contrasts from ravine gorge cloaked in woodland, through meadow and orchard, to rugged and remote uplands following the river Wye along the Welsh/English border. Easy places to access the river valley are at Symond’s Yat, Hoarwithy and Ross-on-Wye.

Black Mountains (c. 70 min)

The Black Mountains are a group of hills spread across parts of Powys and Monmouthshire in southeast Wales, and extending across the national border into Herefordshire. Peaks include Waun Fach (2,661 ft), Black Mountain (2,306 ft), Hay Bluff  (2,221 ft), Rhos Dirion, (2,339 ft) and Lord Hereford’s Knob (2,264 ft). Towards the south of the range are the more independent summits of Crug Mawr (1,804 ft), Pen Allt-mawr (2,359 ft) and Pen Cerrig-calch (2,300 ft) which rises prominently above the Usk Valley. Outlying summits, all of which are classed as Marilyns, include the Sugar Loaf, Mynydd Troed and Mynydd Llangorse. The lower and separate hills of Allt yr Esgair, Myarth, Bryn Arw and Ysgyryd Fawr (also known as ‘The Skirrid’, Skyrrid or ‘Holy Mountain’) are scattered along the southern fringe of the Black Mountains.

Brecon Beacons (c. 90 min)

The Brecon Beacons National Park lies on the border between Mid Wales and South Wales. It’s home to waterfalls, forests, market towns and the highest peak in southern Britain Pen y Fan (2907 ft)

Queens Wood Arboretum, Dinmore Hill, Leominster, HR6 0PY (c. 30 min)

The arboretum is a 47 acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees from all over the world and 123 acres of semi-natural ancient woodland which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Local Nature Reserve.

Dymock Daffodil Way (c. 5 min)

Famous 10 mile circular walk which is particularly spectacular in daffodil season (late March)

Marcle Ridge (c. 5 min)

A trail that follows the ridge above the Homme House Estate. Footpaths from the Homme House Estate lead up to it and on to the Butcher’s Arms in Woolhope – a strenuous hike of c.3.5 miles in each direction. 

Historic Sites & Gardens

Hergest Croft Gardens, Ridgebourne Road, Kington, HR5 3EG (c. 40 min)

Gorgeous flower borders, an old fashioned Kitchen Garden, Azalea Garden, Maple Grove, and Park Wood. March weekends 12.00-5.30pm, daily from 3rd April to 1st November 12.00-5.30pm.

Croome Court and Gardens, High Green, WR8 9DW (c. 40 min)

Recently aquired by The National Trust, Croome Court was the former home of the Earls of Coventry, remodelled by ‘Capability’ Brown and with interiors by Robert Adam. It had many owners throughout the 20th century, including Hare Krishna devotees and The National Trust are continuing restoration work to the house and gardens. 

Eastnor Castle, Eastnor, HR8 1RL (c. 15 min)

Eastnor Castle is a historic house filled with medieval armour and fine art and in the beautiful grounds you will find an arboretum, lake, knight’s maze and children’s adventure playground. The castle puts on events throughout the year. Open on selected days from Easter to the end of September.

Hellens Manor, Much Marcle (c. 2 min)

600 year old mansion in the village with gardens and tea room. 

Open on Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday afternoons from Easter until start October. Entry is by guided tour and there are tours at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

Little Malvern Court & Gardens, Little Malvern,WR14 4JN (c. 20 min)

15th century Prior’s Hall set in Malvern Hills. Open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 15th April until 23rd July 2015 from 2.15pm-5pm.

Brockhampton, Greenfields, Bringsty, near Bromyard, Herefordshire, WR6 5TB (35 min)

Traditionally farmed estate and medievil manor run by National Trust.

Witley Court & Gardens, Worcester Rd, Great Witley, WR6 6JT (c. 55 min)

Remains of 19th century mansion once home to the Earls of Dudley, now managed by English Heritage and includes woodland walks, play area, shop and cafe.

Westbury Court Garden, Westbury-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, GL14 1PD (c. 20 min)

One of the only surviving 17th-century Dutch water gardens in the UK. It is run by the National Trust and includes topiary, ornate garden buildings and old-fashioned orchards.

Berrington Hall, near Leominster, HR6 0DW (c. 40 min)

One of the few masterpieces of the famous architect Henry Holland to survive intact. Now run by The National Trust, the house, gardens and and ‘Capability’ Brown parkland are open to the public and include a cafe and shop. 

Hampton Court Gardens, near Leominster, HR6 0PN (c. 40 min)

15th Century Medieval Castle, Award Winning Gardens and Parkland with 1,000 acres of imagination.

Spetchley Park Gardens, Spetchley, Worcestershire WR5 1RS

Spetchley has been home to the Berkeley family for over 400 years and successive generations have lovingly collected and planted rare plants from around the world, creating one of the largest private collections of plant varieties outside the major botanical gardens. This beautiful historic garden, surrounded by ancient parkland, deer park and lakes is set in the wonderful Worcestershire countryside with far reaching views to the Malvern Hills.

Goodrich Castle, Castle Lane, Goodrich, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 6HY (c. 20 min)

Goodrich stands majestically on a wooded hill commanding the passage of the River Wye into the picturesque valley of Symonds Yat. The castle was begun in the late 11th century, by the English then Godric who gave it his name.

Countryside and Animals

Enjoy the splendour of the rolling countryside in Herefordshire and the surrounding counties.  Herefordshire is said to be one of the most rural in England.

Countryside

  • Symonds Yat
  • The Malvern Hills
  • The Royal Forest of Dean
  • Queenswood Country Park
  • Offa’s Dyke Path
  • The Black and White Trail
  • The Black Mountains

Animals

Fun for All the Family

Special Events

March: Cheltenham Gold Cup Horse Racing

April: Cheltenham Jazz Festival 

May: Big Apple Blossom-time (Marcle Ridge), Hay Literary Festival, Malvern Spring Show (Three Counties Showground)

June: Hay Literary Festival, Three Counties Show, Herefordshire Walking Festival 

July: Ledbury Poetry Festival, Three Choirs Festival, Antique & Collectors Fair (Three Counties Showground), Much Marcle Steam Rally

September: Herefordshire Art Week, Abergavenny Food Festival, Malvern Autumn Show (Three Counties Showground)

October: Cheltenham Literary Festival, Big Apple Festival (Marcle Ridge)

December: Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market

All Year Round

The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford

Malvern Theatre

Days out at the races in Cheltenham, Hereford, Worcester & Ludlow

The NEC, Birmingham

History

The Summerhouse, which dates from the late 17th century, has a rich and enigmatic history. If you would like to explore it further you can do so here.

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