Explore towns in Herefordshire

Looking for the best towns in Herefordshire to visit? From book-lover havens like Hay-on-Wye to historic market centres like Leominster, Herefordshire’s towns are packed with character. Each one is just a short drive from our holiday parks, making them ideal day trips during your stay.

Bromyard

Bromyard was first recorded in 840 and is steeped in rural history. The town’s name derives from Old English, meaning “an enclosure covered or fenced with broom or gorse”.  The town is nestled in northeast Herefordshire on the A44 between Leominster and Worcester, and these days it’s known as the Town of Festivals. 

In June there’s the Scarecrow Festival with parades and scarecrow walks. In July it’s the annual Bromyard Festival of Speed, celebrating motoring history. It includes hill climbs on the rural roads whilst classic cars and motorcycles take over the town. In September, Bromyard hosts its annual Folk Festival which has been running for over 50 years and attracts acts and audiences for all over the UK.

But there’s more to the town than festivals. The centre is a designated Conservation Area with historic half-timbered building, a heritage trail, independent shops and cafes. Venture out onto Bromyard Downs, 114 hectares of registered common – a must visit for walkers and nature lovers.

35 minutes from Pearl Lake. 29 minutes from Arrow Bank. 44 minutes from Rockbridge.

Hay on Wye

Who hasn’t heard of Hay-on-Wye? It’s the Town of Books and home to the world-famous Hay Literary Festival where you’ll be falling over celebrities for one week every May! It once had a self-styled King of Hay – real name Richard Booth. It was also home to the model April Ashley, one of the first people to undergo successful gender reassignment surgery.

Hay is technically in Powys, but it properly straddles the border and historically it was divided into English Hay and Welsh Hay. Hay Castle sits above the town and is now a cultural centre, despite a chequered past including a fire in 1977. Books are very much the towns life blood with over 20 independent shops. The town is home to numerous family-owned shops, cafes and restaurants. If you like a walk then visit the Warren, a riverside meadow with gravel beaches and small rapids.

Alongside the Hay Festival runs HowtheLightGetsIn – the world’s largest philosophy and music festival. No wonder former US President Bill Clinton described Hay as ‘Woodstock of the mind’!

38 minutes from Pearl Lake. 32 minutes from Arrow Bank. 34 minutes from Rockbridge.

Kington

Historic Kington and the surrounding countryside in west Herefordshire is a gateway to so much that part of the county has to offer. From the town’s main car park you’ll soon be walking on Hergest Ridge, part of the Offa’s Dyke Trail. Fun fact – Hergest Ridge is the name of musician Mike Oldfields 1974, 2^nd studio album after he spent time in the area!

The town dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was called ‘Chingtune’ which means ‘king’s town’ in Old English. It had great strategic value as it sat above the River Arrow and even had a castle in the 11^th century until King John knocked it down.

Today, Kington has art galleries, cafes and the UK’s only traditional clog maker. There’s a red brick clock tower above the town’s museum. There are lots of walks from the town centre, including the 8 Peaks Challenge to shorter circular walks.

Just out of the town is Hergest Croft Gardens with national collections of tress and rare and exotic plants which is well worth a visit.

15 minutes from Pearl Lake. 16 minutes from Arrow Bank. 13 minutes from Rockbridge.

Ledbury

Historic streets, cobbled lanes and tiny little alleys are among the many attractions of Ledbury. It’s in east Herefordshire, about 15 minutes from British Camp and extensive Malvern Hills walks in Worcestershire. It’s Old English name of “Liedeberge” possibly derives from the river Leadon on which the town stands.

A distinctive Market Hall stands in the centre of the town which hosts lots of events throughout the year. The poet and writer John Masefield was born in Ledbury in 1878, and another poet, Elizabeth Barret Browning lived in the town too. Only natural then that the town started a Poetry Festival which now happens every July and is the largest of its type in the UK.

The streets are full of black and white buildings with independent cafes, shops and restaurants. A short drive out of the town is Eastnor Castle and Hellens, a Tudor/Jacobean mansion. Drive to Hereford railway station from Discover Parks and catch the train to Ledbury – the scenery is stunning.

57 minutes from Pearl Lake. 52 minutes from Arrow Bank. 1hr 7minutes from Rockbridge.

Leominster

First up – it’s pronounced ‘Lemster’ or if you’re really local ‘Lemner’! Never say ‘Lay-oh-minster’ in ear shot of the residents!

Back in mediaeval times Leominster thrived as a centre for the wool trade particularly it’s wool from Ryeland sheep and a street still bears that name today. In the 18^th century it was home to one of the world’s first cotton mills.

Leominster often features on the telly because of its many antique shops – a goldmine for Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip fans. Broad Street is full of independent shops and cafes, whilst you can stroll to the Grange where there’s a large green space in the shadow of a large black and white building. There’s Corn Square where there’s a market every Friday and historic Drapers Lane. Make sure you visit the Barometer Shop and have a look at some of the historic ways we used to rely on to work out the weather.

16 minutes from Pearl Lake. 10 minutes from Arrow Bank. 27 minutes from Rockbridge

Ross-on-Wye

As you approach Ross-on-Wye it comes into view clinging to a sandstone cliff above the River Wye. The imposing Royal Hotel stands out, white against green. In 1931, the General Post Office officially added ‘on-Wye’ to the name so it wouldn’t get mixed up with other towns named Ross!

At the centre of the town is the Market House which was built between 1650-1654. Today, the first floor is the Made in Ross gallery which showcases arts and crafts by local people. Markets are held twice a week in the open section of the market house selling everything from food to books.

St Mary’s Church is a must see with its tall spire. Fun Fact – the actress Noele Gordon, best known for playing Meg Richardson in 70’s soap ‘Crossroads’ is buried here. Her life was recently featured in the ITVX mini-series ‘Nolly’ starring Helena Bonham Carter.

The River Wye wends through Ross and there are plenty of riverside pubs to view it from including the White Lion and Hope and Anchor. Whilst the terrace at the Royal gives a birds eye view of the river and beyond.

1hr 4 minutes from Pearl Lake. 58 minutes from Arrow Bank. 1hr 10 minutes from Rockbridge