Large Houses to Rent in Herefordshire
LARGE HOUSES TO RENT IN HEREFORDSHIRE
Where England meets Wales, the Midlands meet the South, and rolling hills meet river valleys, lies Herefordshire. This rural county is a land of cider apple orchards, hop farms and bustling market towns, and it is the perfect place to step away from busy lives and reconnect with nature. Take a tootle through black and white villages, or spend a day in Hereford, the county town and home to the Mappa Mundi and a cider heritage that spans across centuries. Pick up the trail to the Wye Valley, taking in river views from Symonds Yat Rock, where you might even see the nesting peregrine falcons. Lose yourself over the county border into Gloucestershire in the Forest of Dean or cross into Wales for book shopping in Hay on Wye and walks in the Brecon Beacons. Bring family and friends and enjoy outdoor activities, a detox in nature, and far reaching rural views in one of our luxury houses in Herefordshire.
Choose your Herefordshire holiday house
WHEN TO STAY IN HEREFORDSHIRE
Spring
Experience Herefordshire’s springtime glory in the Golden Triangle of Daffodils, where you can walk in the footsteps of poets who have been inspired by the landscape. Or visit the cider orchards as they burst into blossom. As spring turns to summer, it’s the Hay Festival, a celebration of books and culture just over the border in Wales
Summer
Listen to the cathedral choirs of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester at Three Choirs Festival, which rotates every year between the closely linked counties. Visit Ross on Wye for the Cider Festival. Lose yourself in the shade of the Forest of Dean which borders Herefordshire. And take a picnic down to the banks of the River Wye for a lazy summer afternoon.
Autumn
The air is scented with apples in the autumn in Herefordshire as the cider makers reap their harvest. Visit the Cider Museum in Hereford and discover just how interwoven with Herefordshire life this golden drink is. Autumn is a wonderful time to explore the countryside, taking walks along the banks of the River Wye, visiting castles and ancient ruins, and stopping in picture-perfect country pubs for cosy lunches.
Winter
Wrap up and discover the black and white villages of Herefordshire as they sparkle for Christmas. Visit towns like Ross on Wye and Ledbury for Christmas markets, and enjoy views of the frost-laden rural landscape on bracing winter walks.
PLACES TO VISIT IN AND AROUND HEREFORDSHIRE
Herefordshire is a small county, off the beaten track, and that’s where it’s charm lies. It’s dotted with pretty villages and market towns, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, and the spaces in between are filled with orchards, woodlands and gentle hills. Follow the Black and White Village trail for a picture of medieval England, visit Hereford to see the Mappa Mundi in the Cathedral, browse the bookshops, galleries and delis in the pretty riverside town of Ross on Wye, and venture over the border to the book town of Hay on Wye. And the walks! The Forest of Dean is on your doorstep with riverside and forest walks. Head up to Offa’s Dyke, the ancient border between England and Wales, walk the Daffodil Triangle, the Orchard Blossom Walk and the Wild Hop Walk. Climb the Black Mountains for views of England and Wales, the Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, or cross the border in to Wales for Bannau Brycheiniog - the Brecon Beacons.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES IN HEREFORDSHIRE
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL
Explore the grounds, walk through the cloisters and learn about worship in Hereford since Saxon times. Visit the Mappa Mundi - the largest medieval map of the world known to exist - and the Chained Library, and even try your luck in the Escape Room!
THE MUSEUM OF CIDER
Cider is at the heart of Herefordshire life and Hereford is at the heart of the cider making world. Find out about its long history, discover ancient apple varieties and see how cider is made past and present, from pip to pint.
EASTNOR CASTLE
At the foot of the Malvern Hills, surrounded by a deer park, arboretum and lake, Eastnor Castle is a fabulous family day out, with treetop adventures, nature trails and the historic castle, full of medieval armour.
LANDROVER EXPERIENCE
Go off road on 66 miles of trails in the grounds of Eastnor Estate. The Land Rover Experience offers a thrilling adventure, encouraging you to push both the Land Rover and yourself to the limit.
GOODRICH CASTLE
In a scenic spot overlooking the River Wye, Goodrich Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country. Climb the tower ruins, give yourself the shivers in the dungeon and then get back to normal over a scone and a cup of tea in the café.
WYE VALLEY BUTTERFLY ZOO
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is a carefully created tropical environment, teeming with exotic butterflies. Walk with butterflies from all around the world, explore the Amazing Hedge Puzzle and play miniature golf.
SYMONDS YAT
Home to an iron age hill fort and commanding a view over a bend in the River Wye, Symonds Yat is one of the most popular attractions in the area. Not least because it is also famous as one of the best places to see peregrine falcons, which nest on the cliff face.
CANOE THE WYE
See Herefordshire from a different perspective when you canoe down the River Wye. This is an amazing adventure for lovers of the great outdoors. It’s aimed at all levels so it’s ideal for a family trip or with a group of friends.
TINTERN ABBEY
Just inside Wales, Tintern Abby is an atmospheric ruin, dating back to the 14th Century. It stands on the banks of the River Wye and it offers Instagrammable moments as well as something more profound and moving in its roofless splendour
PUZZLEWOOD
A magical woodland in the Forest of Dean, Puzzlewood is a family day out that will delight everyone. The children can explore and learn, and the adults can enjoy being so close to nature in this enchanting world.
THE WEIR GARDEN
The Weir sits alongside the River Wye in the unspoilt Herefordshire countryside. Visit in the spring to see the daffodils and bluebells, or in summer to enjoy a riverside picnic in this idyllic setting.
MOUNTAIN MAYHEM
Expect a fun-packed day in the Brecon Beacons at Mountain Mayhem. Try clay pigeon shooting, hovercrafting, quad biking and paintballing. A great day out for everyone , especially stag and hen parties.
HEREFORD RACES
Hereford Racecourse, close to the city centre, offers a friendly, old-fashioned day at the races. A jump racing course, it has race days between October and April and is great for a group day out.
NOAKES FARM RIDING CENTRE
A friendly, family affair, Noakes Farm Riding Centre is set in 250 acres of stunning Herefordshire countryside. From one-hour hacks to lessons and parties, on horses with mild temperaments, it’s a great way to spend do something a little different.
FOREST OF DEAN SCULPTURE TRAIL
A unique way to explore the Forest of Dean, the Sculpture Trail is a 4-mile woodland walk punctuated by thought provoking outdoor sculptures. This quietly lovely attraction has been evolving since 1986 and is free of charge.
CLEARWELL CAVES
There’s a hidden world beneath the Forest of Dean. Clearwell Caves is a network of underground tunnels and caverns where you can explore iron ore mines that have been worked on by Freeminers for centuries.
ROCKFIELD SPIRITS
Take a tour to see how a gin distillery works, taste the gins, and have a go at creating your own unique gin at Rockfield Spirits in Hereford.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT HEREFORDSHIRE
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Where is Herefordshire?
Herefordshire is in the southwest Midlands. It shares borders Worcestershire, Shropshire and Gloucestershire, and also with Wales. Fun fact: Herefordshire is the only English county that is completely to the west of the River Severn. It is more off the beaten track than most counties in England and is accessible by car from the M5 and M50 from the East and North, or over the Severn Bridge from the South. Hereford City has direct trains from London Paddington. It is perfect if you want a rural break, away from the crowds.
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When’s the best time of year to go to Herefordshire?
Two seasons that stand out in Herefordshire are spring and autumn. This patchwork landscape of fields, forest and orchards comes alive in the spring, with apple blossom, daffodils and wildlife. It’s a perfect time to visit and remind yourself just how wonderful nature is. In the autumn, the apples are harvested and the air is filled with their scent. With the Forest of Dean close by, you can enjoy the autumn colours too.
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What outdoor activities can I do in Herefordshire?
Pack your hiking boots, your canoe and your bike (or just hire the latter two when you arrive). Herefordshire has many ancient highways and byways to explore on foot or on two wheels, and the landscape is reasonably forgiving in terms of ups and downs. There are enough hills to offer some great views and plenty of easier walking and cycling. The River Wye is great for canoeing or kayaking and the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire has lots of opportunities for outdoor activities, from mountain biking to Go Ape.
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What can I do on a rainy day in Herefordshire?
Visit Hereford Cathedral, where you can witness the ancient Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library. While in the county town you can also go to the Cider Museum, climb in the Green Spider indoor climbing wall, and create a new gin at Rockfield Spirits. Further afield, explore Clearwell Caves and visit the Butterfly Zoo which is under cover.
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Where are the best walks in Herefordshire?
Take the Wild Hop Walk to see the hops growing on their tall poles or the Golden Triangle in the spring to see the daffodils. There are plenty of riverside trails to enjoy and lots of walks in the Forest of Dean. Definitely get down to Symonds Yat, which is beautiful, and scale Black Hill, the highest point in Herefordshire. The Malvern Hills and the Brecon Beacons are also nearby.
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Is Herefordshire close to the sea?
Herefordshire is not very close to the sea but it is possible to get to the coast for a day trip. Most Herefordians take a trip across Wales to the wide open sands of Borth, a quiet community just across the Dovey estuary from Aberdovey. If you want a good old fashioned seaside resort with a pier, you can get to Weston super Mare in under two hours. Alternatively, enjoy the waters of the river Wye, the Severn Estuary, or beautiful Bodenham Lake and the River Lugg.