The best towns in Herefordshire for a day trip

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.

Hereford

Not a town, but a county city! Hereford offers a full day out, with its cathedral, independent shops and riverside walks along the Wye, and honestly there’s just too much to cover here.

So, you can learn everything you need to know about the city of Hereford in our dedicated blogs:

Things to do in Hereford

Historic Hereford City

Eating out in Hereford

Shopping in the city of Hereford

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. Although the hill climbs aren’t happening in 2026, classic cars and motorcycles will take over the town. The Nozstock music festival also takes place in July. 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 buildings, 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.

Bromyard is 35 minutes by car from Pearl Lake, 29 minutes from Arrow Bank, and 44 minutes from Rockbridge.

Hay on Wye

(image Visit Herefordshire)

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!

Hay is technically in Powys, but it properly straddles the border and historically it was divided into English Hay and Welsh Hay. 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.

Interested in visiting Hay? Read our blogs

Things to do in Hay-on-Wye

Hay Festival guide

Hay is 38 minutes by car from Pearl Lake. 32 minutes from Arrow Bank. 34 minutes from Rockbridge.

Kington

(Image Visit Herefordshire)

Historic Kington and the surrounding countryside in North West Herefordshire is a gateway to so much this 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 its national collections of trees, as well as rare and exotic plants. It’s well worth a visit and the views are stunning.

Kington is 15 minutes by car from Pearl Lake. 16 minutes from Arrow Bank. 13 minutes from Rockbridge.

Ledbury

Historic streets, cobbled lanes and tiny little alleys are among Ledbury’s many attractions. 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 which runs close to the town.

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 towards Malvern and Hellens, a Tudor/Jacobean mansion, towards Ross. Drive to Hereford railway station from Discover Parks and catch the train to Ledbury – the scenery along the journey is stunning.

Find out about Eastnor Castle in our blog – Castles in Herefordshire & Shropshire

Discover walks along the Malvern’s in our blog – Malvern Hills Walks

Ledbury is a 57 minute car journey 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’!

Back in mediaeval times Leominster thrived as a centre for the wool trade and 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 theblack and white building. There’s Corn Square where there’s a market every Friday and historic Drapers Lane.

For the full run down on Leominster read our blog Things to do in Leominster – the local guide

Leominster is a 16 minute drive 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.

Ross-on-Wye is a 1hr 4 minutes car drive from Pearl Lake. 58 minutes from Arrow Bank. 1hr 10 minutes from Rockbridge

Make Discover Parks your base to explore Herefordshire

There’s no better place to get the best our of Herefordshire, than Discover Parks. We’ve three country holiday parks in North Herefordshire and just over the Powys border in Presteigne.

Stay with us in your tourer, tent or motorhome. Our touring facilities are all 5* rated and our touring areas are all fully serviced. Come and sample a self catering holiday in either our historic cottages, luxury lodges with hot tubs and saunas or classic, fully fitted caravans. If you’d like to spend lots and lots of time here, then consider joining us as a holiday home owner. We’ve caravans and lodges to suit all budgets.