What’s on in Herefordshire in 2026 

Looking to find out what’s on in Herefordshire in 2026? Take your pick from music, poetry, flowers, fashion, history and celebrity appearances.  

Whether you fancy a day at the races, a country and western vibe, delving into local history, poetry readings or meeting authors – come to Herefordshire because we’ve got it all, and then some! 

Herefordshire is one of the least populated counties in the UK. So, it’s a great place to stay for some serious chilling.  But least populated doesn’t mean boring! Visitors travel far and wide to sample some of the brilliant events this unique county has to offer.  

Here’s a quick look at some of the biggies taking place in Herefordshire, or just over our borders, in 2026.

Ladies Day at Hereford Races. Saturday March 7^th 

It may not be Ascot, but Ladies Day at Hereford Racecourse is a brilliant event for shaking off the winter blues. Easy to get to and with loads of onsite parking this National Hunt (jumps) course dates back to the 1700’s! 

If it’s a flutter you fancy more than the fashion FYI it’s a right-handed course around one and half miles with 9 fences.  

Ladies Day is an opportunity to enjoy the racing whilst getting your glad rags on. Dress up in your most glamourous winter gear and don’t be afraid to pop on a hat or fascinator. There’s generally some spot ‘style’ competitions so you could win a prize! 

It‘s a brilliant event for groups of friends or to celebrate a special occasion. Restaurant packages are on offer, so you will need to book your tickets early.  

Hereford Racecourse is no more than a 45-minute drive from all our Discover Parks. 

(image Shutterstock) 

The Hereford May Fair. Tuesday May 5th to Thursday May 7th 

In Hereford, the annual May Fair is still held in the city streets. It’s a tradition that goes back almost 900 years and an ancient ceremony still opens the fair.

This ‘proclaiming the fair’ ceremony is well worth a watch. Involving the city Mayor and the Bishop of Hereford it takes place outside the cathedral.  An ancient proclamation declaring the fair open is read. The Bishop is given payment of a wheat sheaf to grant permission to hold the fair.  

Down the centuries, the Fair was an important trading event. Now it’s your proper fun fair with rides, side stalls, street food, candy floss and a lot of people of screaming! But it’s a great spectacle and well worth a visit.  

The May Fair arrives in Hereford, fresh from a stint in the streets of Leominster. This is a smaller event and runs from 30^th April to 2^nd May 2026.  

Hereford is just over a half hour drive from Discover Parks.  

(image Shutterstock)

RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Thursday May 7^th – Sunday May 10^th 

A fabulous day out at the Three Counties Showground on the outskirts of Malvern. You don’t need to be green fingered to enjoy this as there really is something for everyone.  

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Roots of the future’ which the RHS website says will honour the past whilst growing the future.  

You’ll find amazing show gardens designed by some of the best garden designers around. Wander through the exhibits and you’ll get lots of inspiration for your own patch or window box. The indoor plant hall will also fill you with ideas and there’s also plenty of opportunity for shopping.  

There are gardening and cooking demos, workshops and the RHS advice hub. You’ll find a wide choice of food and drink to partake in as well.  

Let’s be honest – it’s not a cheap day out, but it is a brilliant show and well worth the drive from Discover Parks. The Three Counties Showground is around a 70-minute drive from Discover Parks.  

(image Shutterstock)

Ludlow Spring Festival. Friday May 8^th – Sunday May 10^th

This is a spin-off from the main Ludlow Food Festival.  It’s a 3-day event with lots of beer and food and the added attraction of vintage cars! 

The festival showcases local, independent, craft breweries. There’s a huge selection of artisan beers and lagers to sample plus great food. With plenty of live music and the Festival Pub, it also incorporates the Marches Transport Festival. If you love motors, then you’ll find vintage classics through to modern classics from the 70’s and 80’s. 

Ludlow is just over half an hour’s drive from Discover Parks 

Herefordshire Histories Festival. Saturday May 9^th – Monday May 25^th 

The first festival last year was such a success, they’re holding another one! There’ll be walks and talks, places to visit, and exhibitions to have a look at.  

Events from properly ancient history to how the county was industrialised are already on the website listings, but more will be added all the time. The festival is run by passionate volunteers in a county with a terrific history.  

Keep an eye on their website and our social media for further details. Add yourself to our mailing list and you’ll receive more What’s On in Herefordshire details throughout the year and links to our blog page. 

(image Visit Herefordshire)

Hay Festival. Thursday May 21^st – Sunday May 31^st   

For Herefordshire, this is the Big One…despite Hay being just over the border in Powys! Early bird tickets are already on sale. A list of confirmed events is available (web link)with the full details confirmed in the coming months.  

It’s a smorgasbord of literature, arts, comedy, conversations, performances and talks. It’s family friendly too, so nobody misses out! 

You can’t move for celebrities, amazing food, side stalls and the laid-back vibe of the UK’s Town of Books.

Read our blogs about Hay Festival and Things to do in Hay.

Book tickets and view the events and ticket details here

Hay on Wye is roughly half an hours drive from all our Discover Parks 

Ledbury Poetry Festival. Friday June 26th – Sunday July 5th   

Founded in 1997, this festival is now a major player of the genre on the world stage. It’s a true celebration of poetry and the spoken word. It’s often called the Glastonbury of Poetry Festivals with its location at the foot of the Malvern Hills. 

The town has strong links to poet and literary greats.  Elizabeth Barret Browning and John Masefield (after whom the local secondary school is named), were both born in the town. There are also close ties to the Dymock Poets, including Robert Frost, who spent time reading and writing here in the years before WW1. 

Only a few events are locked in at the moment, but more will come online in the coming months.

Ledbury is just about an hour’s drive from Discover Parks.  

(image Visit Herefordshire Dan Chubb)

Country and Western Festival. Thursday June 18^th – Sunday June 21^st   

This is the second Country and Western event to be held at Lyde Court. Country and Western music is bigger than ever – even Beyonce released a country album! 

The festival promises a great line up of acts, alongside food and drinks from the onsite cafe and bar. The setting at Lyde Court is truly spectacular with charmingly rustic barns amidst rolling Herefordshire countryside. There are country market stalls where you can buy cowboy hats, vintage clothing, and local crafts. Plus, the whole event is dog friendly.  

So, it’s all about hay bale seating and stomping boots in a country themed setting.  

Lyde Court is just over half an hour’s drive from Discover Parks.  

(image Shutterstock)

Landed Festival. Friday July 24^th– Monday July 27^th 

Voted among the best festivals in Wales, Landed takes place near the Powys spa town of Llandrindod Wells. ‘The Dod’ is a Victorian spa town with stunning architecture, a large lake, local walks and an opportunity to ‘take the waters’! 

Now in its 16^th year Landed has 3 live music stages, 2 dance stages and lots of kids entertainment making this an all-round family event.   

Headliners and other details are still to be announced so watch this space. 

Llandrindod Wells is about 45 minutes from Discover Parks.  

(image Shutterstock)

Stay at Discover Parks

Make Discover Parks your base for the full Herefordshire experience. With three distinct parks all in stunning settings there are ways to stay to suit everyone. Choose a fully serviced touring pitch for your caravan or motorhome. Get back to nature on a grass tenting pitch surrounded by wildlife. Spend time in our wide selection of self catering accommodation with couples retreats and lush lodges.

Looking for something permanent?

View our wide selection of holiday homes and lodges and become part of Herefordshire and the Welsh borderlands on longer visits.