What’s on in Herefordshire in May

Geoffrey Chaucer, the Canterbury Tales fella, called May the ‘merry month’. And he’s not wrong! 

There’s two bank holidays, fairs in the streets, exhibitions, cycle racing and a county covered in blossom. Explore what’s on in Herefordshire in May with our blog, including a cycling event right on our doorstep! 

Marches 3-Day Cycling – Saturday 2^nd  to Monday 4th May  

If you love cycling or just enjoy the thrill of competition up close, this is the event for you. Some stages are right outside Discover Parks, so you can stay with us and be at the front of the peloton (cycling speak!) 

The Marches event is British Cycling’s biggest multi-day stage race in the West Midlands with around 80 racers. The event is sponsored by Discover Parks so we’re very excited! Stage 1 starts In Inkberrow in Worcestershire with a 100km road race. The best days to see racing close to Discover Parks are Sunday 3^rd May and Monday 4^th.  

Sunday sees individual time trials when cyclists race against the clock. Competitors will race 8km from Presteigne to Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park. Finishers will arrive at Pearl Lake from 10.30am until midday. It’s quickfire stuff!  

Later on Sunday, Stage 3 is a lumpy 80km group race, passing Pearl Lake four times, roughly between 2.15 and 4.30pm. The best place to see the riders is at the entrance to Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park. 

On Monday, Stage 4 is the big one. A 110km brutal group race around Presteigne including two ascents of the Presteigne to Knighton climb. Racers will pass Rockbridge Country Holiday Park in between the climbs, and the race will finish at the summit!

Find out more about the event here. Discover how you can stay with us further down to get fully invested in the Marches Cycling Event!

Eastnor Castle Chilli Festival – Sunday 3^rd May to Monday 4^th May  

(image Shutterstock)

Whatever the weather, it’s going to be hot at Eastnor!  

With chillies taking front and centre stage, you’ll find cookery demos, chilli eating competitions and chillies to try and buy.  

There’s lots of entertainment for kids too plus all the usual delights that Eastnor Castle and Deer Park has to offer.  

Eastnor Castle is a 50 minute drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and just over an hour from Rockbridge.

Eastnor Chilli Festival  

Jousting at Hampton Gardens – Sunday 3^rd to Monday 4^th May 

Transport yourself back to mediaeval times with a bit of jousting! This is a brilliant event will thrill every generation. There’s knights, armour, long jousting poles and horses wearing their knight’s colours.  

The event takes place in Hampton Gardens with the castle as a backdrop.  A story is told which cleverly doesn’t conclude until the final joust over the August Bank Holiday weekend!  

Hampton Gardens are about half an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and about 45 minutes from Rockbridge.  

Jousting at Hampton Gardens

Hereford May Fair – Tuesday 5^th May – Thursday 7^th May  

(image Shutterstock)

This annual fair is still held in the streets of Hereford marking a tradition that goes back 900 years! It’s an assault on the senses!  

The screams of riders as they get hurled around, the smell of freshly cooked onions and hot dogs, the colour of candyfloss and the thrill of toddlers as they whizz around on the teacups! 

It’s a great way to spend an afternoon and early evening. If you don’t fancy a nail-biting experience on ‘Storm’ or the waltzers, you’re right in the centre of Hereford with all the eateries it has to offer

Hereford is just over half an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and 45 minutes from Rockbridge.  

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

(image Visit Herefordshire)

Now in its second year, this county-wide festival looks at all things historical in Herefordshire. With almost 50 events, there’s bound to be something to tickle your historical fancy.  

Explore the fascinating history of the main street in Weobley. One of Hereford’s beautiful villages and the real life set for the film ‘Hamnet’. Take a walk along the once bustling Hereford to Gloucester canal, and step back in time at working watermills. 

There’s talks about castles, hill forts, the history of cider, and what went on in the working boys home. Join a guided walk or try on a chainmail and helmet!  

There’s events all over the county with lots very close to Discover Parks.

Herefordshire Histories Festival

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

(image Shutterstock)

Yes, I know, this is in Worcestershire! But people travel from miles to visit this iconic gardening festival so it would be remiss if I didn’t mention it! 

You don’t need to be green fingered as there’s loads to see. From cooking to clematis, show gardens to seasonal tips, there’s something for everyone. The huge floral marquee for instance is full of head turning displays. 

Whether you’ve got a garden the size of a football pitch or just want some idea for a few tubs – you’ll find inspiration here.  There’s also gardening glitterati including Alan Titchmarsh, Monty Don and Adam Frost. Nicki Chapman does some hosting and Dame Mary Berry and Raymond Blanc are among some of the top foodies doing a turn! 

There’s street food to enjoy, gardening questions to be answered, crafts to have a go at and plenty of shopping to be done.  

The Three Counties Showground is about and an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and an hour and 15 minutes from Rockbridge.  

RHS Malvern Spring Festival

Ludlow Spring Festival Friday 8^th May to Sunday 10^th May

You’ll notice this is just over the border in Shropshire! But it’s not far from our Discover Parks so well worth a visit.  

Ludlow is a foodie town and known for its annual food festival. The spring festival has food, drink and entertainment served up in the grounds of Ludlow Castle.  

Most of the food and drink on offer is from local producers. There’s also comedy, music and the Marches Transport Festival! The Transport bit is a showcase of classic and modern-classic cars which look even more stunning set against a medieval castle. 

Ludlow Castle is just under half an hour from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and just under 45 minutes from Rockbridge. 

Ludlow Spring Festival

Tour the Knights Templar Church Sunday 10^th May – Friday 22^nd May  

(image Visit Herefordshire)

This is Garway Church in South Herefordshire and it’s well worth a look! The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order known as ‘warrior monks’. They built a church here in 1180AD.  

There’s loads of medieval bits and bobs to see from coffin lids to a money chest.  

This is part of the Herefordshire Histories Festival  

Garway is an hour from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and an hour and a quarter from Rockbridge 

Tour Garway Church

Kington Art and Craft Market Saturday 16^th May

Just down the road from Discover Parks is the quaint market town of Kington. The Art and Craft Market is a chance to talk to artists and crafters, see them at work and purchase unique gifts.  

It’s held in the Market Hall in the Place de Marines (named after Kington’s twin town in France, Marines!), from 9.30am to 3pm. 

Kington is a 15 minute drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and half an hour from Rockbridge.

Hay Festival Thursday 21^st May to Sunday 31^st May  

This is the big one! For 10 days, the border town of Hay-on-Wye becomes the bustling base for the renowned Hay-on-Literary Festival.

Tickets have been on sale since the early part of the year, but you don’t need a ticket to enjoy the festival village buzz.  

You can still access the site and everything it has to offer. And if that sounds boring, well, it’s not! Sit and soak up the atmosphere, visit the festival bookshop and see celebrity signings, enjoy the food and drink emporiums and browse the stalls selling quirky, artisanal produce.  

Hay itself is full of unusual shops and of course many, many bookshops as this is the Town of Books. It’s a short walk from the town to the festival site. Hay also has some great places to eat and drink. If you’re in the area a day out at Hay during the festival isn’t to be missed.  

Read our how to get the best out of Hay Festival blog.

Hay-on-Wye is just over half an hour’s drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and 45 minutes from Rockbridge.  

Make Discover Parks your hub for exploring Herefordshire  

Enjoy all that Herefordshire has to offer from Discover Parks in the unspoilt northerly part of the county where it meets Wales.

Our three parks – Arrow Bank, Pearl Lake and Rockbridge – all have their own individual personalities to suit your own! We also offer three ways to stay in Herefordshire. Roll up with your tourer, tent or motorhome. Book a self-catering holiday in an historic cottage, luxury lodge (some with hot tubs and saunas!), couples glamping pod or classic caravans.

But that’s not all! Stay for longer spells by returning to your very own holiday home on one of our stunning parks. There’s a home to suit all budgets!