Herefordshire Accommodation Guide
Herefordshire is a sparsely populated but very beautiful county that lies on the boundary of Wales and England. Aside from its principal city (Hereford), the county is famous for its incredible landscapes, its fruit and cider production and for its breed of cattle.
Herefordshire is often described as England’s ‘hidden gem’. This is partly due to its location which is bordered by both the Malvern Hills and the Brecon Beacons but also due to the fact that it is often overlooked as a tourist destination. People ‘in the know’ will tell you that this is a huge mistake however!
With so much to see and explore, it is no surprise therefore that Herefordshire is one of Stay In Britain’s favourite counties. In this guide we will explore some of the region’s finest attractions and exhibit some of Herefordshire’s best accommodation choices. Many of the holiday properties we feature are located near the River Wye.
The Brecon Beacons are a mountain range and designation National Park in South Wales that end at the border with both Herefordshire and England. The park’s highest mountatain (Pen Y Fan) is considered one of the UK’s classic climbs and is regularly used by Britain’s special forces for fitness tests.
It is no surprise that the British SAS (Special Air Service) are based in Herefordshire due to its proximity to ardous terrain, unpredictable weather and sparsely populated land. People can pay their respect to fallen SAS operatives at Hereford Cathedral where there is a dedicated memorial.
Hereford itself is an extremely pretty city with its cathedral taking pride of place. Dating back to the 11th century, the cathedral is one of the best preserved Norman style cathedrals in England. The city has many other historic buildings within its centre including several 17th century houses.
The city’s most cherished building after its cathedral is the ‘Old House’ (also known as the ‘Black and White House’ due to its black beams and white plastered exterior). This incredible timber framed Jacobean house dates back to the early 1600s and still has leaded bay windows and intricate carvings on its main doorway and eaves.
Interestingly, many of Herefordshire’s accommodation options are nearly as old. The county has a great variety of accommodation choices on offer for all types of trip. Hereford city centre has a nice selection of luxury hotels for both leisure and business travellers. The county as a whole also as a fantastic range of holiday rental options including mill houses, converted barns, historic farmhouses, thatched cottages and timber framed lodges.
The county of Herefordshire shares a land border with several English counties including Worcestershire to the east, Gloucestershire to the southeast and Shropshire to the north. Being on the border with Wales, Herefordshire also adjoins the Welsh counties of Monmouthshire and Powys to the west.
Herefordshire / Tourist Information
- County Town: Hereford
- Land Area: 2,180 km2 (840 square miles)
- Population: 192,107 (2019)
- Population Density: 88/km2 (230/square miles)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 21°C)
- Days Of Rain: 147 days of rain / 218 dry days per year
Best Attractions In Herefordshire
Eastnor Castle: Eastnor was built in the early 1800s as a ‘mock castle’. This incredible series of buildings include watch towers, battlements, parapets and even an enclosed keep! The castle remains in private ownership but the main house and gardens are open to the public on certain days of the year. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment!
Hereford Cathedral: Although there has been a church here since at least the 8th century, work did not commence on the cathedral until 1079. The cathedral is famous for having the largest library of chained book in the world (where the books are chained to the book case). The library also contains the world famous ‘Mappa Mundi’, a medieval map of the world created in circa 1300 by Richard of Holdingham.
Berrington Hall: Owned by the National Trust, Berrington Hall is a large red sandstone mansion that was designed and built in the late 1700s. The house is notable for being Capability Brown’s last landscaping project and the gardens here can only be described as incredible. Visitors can join an organised tour of the house and also the servants’ quarters to see what life was like in this bygone era.
Best Accommodation In Herefordshire
Bolstone Court (Bolstone near Little Dewchurch): If you are looking for accommodation for a large group of people (up to 15 people) in the West Midlands, Bolstone Court should be on your shortlist! This 17th century farmhouse is superbly located being less than 30 minutes from Hereford. The beautiful River Wye is just metres from the house.
Lugg View (Cross Keys near Hereford): Lugg View is an uber modern oak framed barn conversion that is based on an 1860s Victorian farm building. The result is a contemportary and modern holiday home that sleeps 4 people across 2 bedrooms. Beechcroft Barns boast timber beams in every room and are close to both Little Lugg and the River Wye.
More coming soon…
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the Herefordshire area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
