What's on inHerefordshire

Look up English village and chances are youll find a picture lifted straight out of Herefordshire. This is a county that is truly rural, a haven of peace and tranquility filled with winding country lanes, quintessential English villages and village communities, old timber cottages with thatched roofs and classic English country gardens. The landscape is one of fertile fields and meadows, twisted old oak trees and bucolic leafy orchards.

Historically Herefordshire saw a lot of action in border warfare with the Welsh during the Middle Ages and as such has a vast selection of old historic castles, forts, ruins and ancient monuments, including the fantastic Offas Dyke, a massive linear earthwork dating back to the 8th century. Also worth visiting are the city of Hereford, one of 12 cities that were noted in the Doomsday Book and offering endless historical treasures. Inside the wonderful Hereford Cathedral are two of the UKs most important historical treasures, the Chained Library and the Mappa Mundi. From the old bridge crossing the Wye (built in the 15th century) to the black and white old house that holds Hereford Museum and the Hereford Cider Museum, Hereford itself has much to see. Move further out and the charming town of Ledbury is filled with gorgeous 17th century buildings, as is the market town of Bromyard. Lastly, there is Leominster, a wool town sat on the River Lugg that attracts lots of visitors just to see the 11th century Priory Church.

Better still are the hours spent wandering around Herefordshires rural villages and trails, with the stunning views of the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons as well as the gorgeous Malvern Hills and Wye Valley. Strolling, cycling or even driving around the agricultural landscape as well as stopping in villages for tea or cider is one of the highlights of this part of the UK. If you do feel energetic, jump onto Offas Dyke Footpath, the Mortimer Trail or the Wye Valley Walk to experience a beautiful and bucolic slice of old England.