The counties of Herefordshire and Shropshire sat right at the heart of the strategically important Welsh Marches back in medieval times. The Marches were a buffer zone between England and Wales and at one point there were more castles in this area than in many other parts of England!

Today, some remain quite intact, others less so. But we think they’re all worth a look so here's a brief guide:

...and DISCOVER your inner David Attenborough!

“The recent beautiful weather has brought forward the spring awakening of flora and fauna at Arrow Bank, Pearl Lake and Rockbridge. Sharing the stunning environment in which we’re located with our home owners, touring and self-catering guests is one of the best bits about owning our three family-run Discover Parks. 
“But if you’re not planning on becoming an owner here or even staying with us, as stewards of the local environment we’d still love to share with you some of the wildlife highlights of our North Herefordshire and Welsh borderlands

Whether your hound is Hungarian vizsla, your pooch a Pomeranian or your mutt a Miniature Schnauzer – we all want our furry, best friend to live their best life. And at Discover Parks – they really can!

Longtime Discover Parks owners, Jane and Richard Lodge have been coming to Pearl Lake since before they were married.

Richard’s parents were already the proud owners of a caravan when Richard discovered that the way to one woman’s heart was a static stay! Jane and Richard’s love affair with Pearl Lake is still going strong.  

Over the years there’s not many places locally the pair haven’t visited. In the first of a series of travel blogs, Jane share some of their favourites. 

A WINTER TREAT FOR YOUR STATIC CARAVAN

At Discover Parks, we like to make being an owner of static caravan holiday home or luxury lodge a stress-free experience. We want to maximise the positive vibes you feel of knowing you have a bolt hole in the Herefordshire and Welsh borders. It’s why, when you’re off-park for winter, we’re busy preparing your static caravan for a spring return.

Electric, hybrid, mountain or road bikes - there's something for everyone!

There are lots of trails, roads, and pathways spread in and around our three parks, with wonderful, flat family routes and stunning valley roads to steep punishing climbs for the hard-core road cyclists. Alister Cawthorne from the Discover Parks Guest Experience Team has some great route ideas

Our Parks are all located in the heart of great walking country. the Mortimer Trail skirts Pearl lake Holiday Park, Rockbridge Holiday Park is on Offa's Dyke and Arrow Bank, set in the heart of the Black and white Village trail has footpaths criss crossing through the village of Eardisland

There's so many different walks that'll suit all the family and are perfect for your dogs too.

Rockbridge Park, just a mile or so out of the Herefordshire/Powys border town of Presteigne, is about as peaceful and quiet as it can be. With beautiful, starlit, night skies and relaxing, restful days by the riverside.

Phase 1 of The Retreat at Rockbridge is now open, with stunning holiday homes offering prime views across the river valley. Phase 2, featuring even more luxury caravans and holiday lodges, will be ready in early summer 2025 but you can book your plot and choose your dream holiday home now on this secluded riverside caravan park. 

Our artists impression gives part of the story -

Pearl Lake was created from a kettle hole - a depression in the ground left behind when a block of a ice breaks off a glacier. Originally called  the New Decoy Pool, Pearl Lake wasn't mapped before 1774, but was likely to be have been created by workers on the Bateman Estate to attract wildfowl and ducks which were then shot for the table at the 'Big House' 

The lake resides in an idyllic and peaceful location set in amongst some dense woodland, particularly on its western side and is a proper Carp anglers paradise. 

Ashley Bugden is a plumber and avid fisherman from Shobdon who’s been lucky

Your static caravan's decking is the perfect place to relax and socialise as the weather improves - and when done well, it's like a bonus holiday home room!

So, how do you get the best our of your decking?  Planting, furnishings, there's so much you can add.