National Trust Places in Herefordshire

Herefordshire is full of fabulous stately homes, formal gardens, and National Trust properties. With lots of historical comings and goings over the centuries, visitors have left behind some truly outstanding landmarks! 

Herefordshire’s National Trust Properties  

You may think a trip to a posh old house will be nothing more than portraits of the long dead, threadbare carpets and four poster beds with lumpy old mattresses. And although there’s quite a bit of that, these days properties have immersive storytelling and living history experiences. During school holidays, kids are really catered for too, with various activities to keep them engaged.  

Herefordshire has four outstanding and very different NT properties to take a trip around. All are in easy reach of Discover Parks and they deliver a great day out. 

Brockhampton   

(image Shutterstock)

Not far from Bromyard is Brockhampton. This is a proper, step back in time moment.  At the centre of the estate is stunning, Lower Brockhampton Manor House. This 14^th century timber framed building is surrounded by a moat. Entering through a 16^th century timbered gatehouse, and it all feels very rooted in the landscape. Brockhampton is often considered one of the NT’s most ‘authentic’ properties.  

In the early 18^th century, the family who owned Brockhampton, moved out of the manor house into a much grander home. The building was home to various farm workers and fell into disrepair.  Victorian and later restorations saved it from ruin, and it was handed to the care of the NT in 1946.  

Brockhampton is a working estate with 21 acres of traditional orchards – the largest in the National Trust’s care. There are miles of walks to take in the orchards, the woodlands and parkland. There’s also a ruined chapel in the grounds dating from the 1100’s. 

As the manor house is so old it’s had some eerie occurrences. Changes in temperatures and strange smells have been reported, as well as heavy footsteps and a grey lady!  

Brockhampton Manor

Just under 45 minutes from Arrow Bank and Pearl Lake.  Around an hour’s drive from Rockbridge  

Berrington Hall  

An impressive example of Georgian architecture at its best. It’s Neoclassical in style with large Corinthian columns. A real gem among Herefordshire homes and gardens. Berrington is also the final work of the landscaper and garden designer, ‘Capability’ Brown.  

Just a few miles outside Leominster, Berrington Hall was designed by leading Georgian architect Henry Holland in the 1770’s. The original Hall was owned by the Harley family. It passed to the Rodney family and finally ended up as the Cawley family home.  

Inside Berrington you can get a feel for Georgian life above and below stairs. There’s quite a lot of detail about the Cawley family who were decimated by the two World Wars. During WWII, the Hall was actually a convalescent home for soldiers.  

Outside there’s plenty to see. The rare, curved walled garden designed by Capability Brown is really stunning. The woodland walks are amazing when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom during late spring & early summer.  There’s an orchard with many traditional apple varieties plus a great play area for kids  

A tearoom for a cuppa and a cake or light lunch is in the Old Servant’s Hall. 

Berrington Hall

Just under 20 minutes drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank 

Around half an hour’s drive from Rockbridge  

The Weir Garden 

A really unusual property to visit as there’s no house (well, there is but it’s now a nursing home), just stunning riverside gardens.  

Positioned on a south facing slope overlooking the River Wye, these are much more than gardens. The site has Roman origins and a bathhouse and octagonal cistern, where water was stored, can be seen. The gardens were created in the 1920’s by the Weir estate owner, Roger Parr.  

Even if you don’t like gardening and flowers, the Weir Garden’s is very much worth a visit. It’s all very natural so don’t expect formal gardens. There’s wildflower meadows, randomly planted bulbs, ancient trees and twisting paths offering stunning views.  

The Weir is home to plenty of wildlife including lots of birds adn there’s a hide to observe them. In spring you can walk among the snowdrops and daffodils. In summer you can picnic by the river and in autumn you can mooch around the walled garden with its large, restored glasshouse.  

The Weir Garden

Around half an hour’s drive from all Discover Parks. 

Croft Castle

Croft Castle near Leominster is a National Trust gem with nine centuries of family history, 1,500 acres of ancient parkland, beautiful gardens and a café. For the full story, read our guide to Herefordshire’s castles.

National Trust properties aren’t the only place you’ll find formal gardens and beautiful grounds, we have a fabulous selection of gardens in Herefordshire plus some evocative castles. Read our blogs to find out more.

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