HEREFORDSHIRE
If you’re looking to take a break in a county that offers incredible countryside, historic attractions, family days out and superb food, then put Herefordshire firmly on your list. Bordered by Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Wales, it is the site of numerous cultural festivals and the Malvern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Ancient Maps and Hidden Rooms
Hereford is the main city and its cathedral shows some of the finest examples of Norman architecture to be found in the UK. You’ll also find it home to the Mappa Mundi – a 13th Century map of the world that might be a little below the standard of accuracy of an Ordnance Survey map, but is a fascinating insight into how our ancestors viewed the world that they knew.
A visit to Ledbury will bring you into contact with one of Herefordshire’s best-kept secrets: the Painted Room. This was uncovered in the late 1980s when Ledbury Town Offices were being refurbished. What was found was one of the UK’s best examples of Elizabethan wall paintings.
On Safari in Herefordshire
Families with children will find a variety of educational, engaging and interesting things to do and see. The West Midlands Safari Park offers four miles of self-drive safari in which you can encounter the UK’s biggest pride of white lions, while Eastnor Castle combines outdoor fun with a fascinating visit to a beautiful Georgian castle.
Eating Out in the County
Being surrounded by fertile farmland, it’s no surprise to find that there are an increasing number of exceptional restaurants to be found in the county. The Stagg Inn and Restaurant in Titley was the first pub in the UK to be given a Michelin star. For a sumptuous, romantic meal, it’s worth booking a table at the Malvern Restaurant which is, unsurprisingly, in Malvern, where you can also take advantage of their spa services.