What’s on in Herefordshire in September – from markets to military history

For one of the least densely populated counties in England, Herefordshire punches above its weight when it comes to the variety of events it has to offer all year round -and September around the county is a fine example of that.

Here’s a whistle stop tour of just a few of the events in Herefordshire during September.

Herefordshire Military History Festival
26th – 28th September 2025
Being held for the first time, the festival promises to use the power of storytelling to understand the complexities of war.
Hereford city’s military history is tied to the legendary SAS who are based here. After the elite unit’s creation in 1941 in North Africa, they took over an old barracks on the outskirts of Hereford city, which was called Stirling Lines, after founder David Stirling. The squadron remained there until a move to the old RAF Credenhill site to the east of the city in 1999. 22 SAS are still based here in what locals refer to as ‘The Camp’.
The new Herefordshire Military History Festival will feature 40 acclaimed experts in the military history field. From talks on the city in the English Civil War to military law, wartime espionage and forgery, and the opportunity have dinner with war correspondent, Kate Adie…the festival looks like being a packed three days for anyone remotely interested in the mechanics of war and its legacies.

Herefordshire Art week (h.Art)
6th – 14th September 2025
This county wide art trail has been taking place for over 20 years. Different art forms are showcased in artists’ studios, in exhibition spaces, in galleries and even sheds. From mixed media to metalwork, jewellery to photography, blacksmithing to sculpture, the artists are often onsite and delighted to talk about their work. Admission to most events is free – making it a really fun (and cheap) way to visit all corners of the county.
Hundreds of artists take part in a rich variety of venues. Visitors can buy works on the day or commission artists to produce individual works – and the whole experience takes place in Herefordshire’s stunning landscapes.
If you like art and you like seeing new things in unusual surroundings,you won’t want to miss h.Art.
Home | Herefordshire Art Week

Kington Walking Festival
18th – 21st September 2025
Kington is a true Welsh Marches border town. It’s in Herefordshire but only 2 miles from the Welsh border and is a natural crossing place into Powys. The town nestles beneath Hergest Ridge – hill ridge that straddles the Wales/England border. Kington is just a 15-minute drive from Pearl Lake, Arrow Bank and Rockbridge.
Hergest Ridge offers stunning 360-degree views across Herefordshire and Wales, taking in the Black Mountains and the Radnor Forest. Fun fact – Mike Oldfield of Tubular Bells fame named his 1974 album Hergest Ridge after spending time in the area.
It’s clear why the town hosts a walking festival when the Ridge is so important to the area. The festival has a programme of great walking trails/events? that takes in this charismatic borderland area. There are daily guided walks, and the website handily tells you if they’re energetic, strenuous, moderate or easy. Many walks include transportation to various start points and there are generally stop offs or lunch too.
So, if you like a jolly good hike or prefer a gentle stroll to a pub……there’ll be a walk to suit you this September.

Leominster Food Fayre
6th September 2025
Now in its 10th year this free entry festival showcases food from Leominster and the surrounding area. Leominster (pronounced Lem-ster) is 12 miles north of Hereford and a 15-minute drive from Pearl Lake and Arrow Bank and just a bit longer from Rockbridge.
With heaps of food traders and local producers across Corn Square, Broad Street and The Grange there’s something for all tastes and organisers say this year’s Fayre will be bigger and better than ever before!
You can ‘picnic in the park’ in the grounds of the historic Grange Court, a timbered building that was built as the town’s market hall in the 1600s. An artisan market will take place in the court selling handmade goods and crafts.
You can find out more about Leominster and Herefordshire’s other market town here: Explore towns in Herefordshire – Discover Parks

Ludlow Marches Food & Drink Festival
12th/13th/14th September 2025
This is the original food and drink festival and has been going for 30 years. Ludlow is north of all the Discover Parks just inside Shropshire, but it’s a brilliant event and well worth a mention.
The Food Festival is set within the ruins of Ludlow Castle but there are also stalls across the town, which is also packed with lovely eateries, independent shops and of the course, the iconic Feathers Hotel. The list of exhibitors is huge, and the event attracts top chefs to the demo kitchen stage within the castle’s Outer Bailey. The festival is famed for its Sausage Trail and there’s competitions for the best pork pie, best cakes and best new product.
There’s plenty to see, even if you’re happy with a chicken nugget and not really into nduja. Live cooking demonstrations, workshops, talks, children’s activities and trails. You’ll spot top chefs, rub shoulders with producers and sample some of the best food.
To celebrate the 30th anniversary the British Live Fire Cooking Championships are taking place at the Festival. The winner will be heading to the US for the World Food Championships.

Bromyard Folk Festival
11th/12/13th/14th September
Love a bit of folk? Head to Bromyard for a family friendly four-day festival and see some top names in folk music. There are concerts and ceilidhs, storytelling and dance, local food and drink and much more.
Bromyard Folk Festival – 11th-14th September 2025

Hereford Waterworks Museum
‘In Steam’ Sunday 14th September
This fascinating look at the history of drinking water supply from the year dot until now is housed in Hereford’s old Victorian pumping station which supplied the city for well over a century.
The museum houses heaps of exhibits including the UK’s broadest collection of working pumps and engines from Herefordshire, the neighbouring counties, and Wales – many of them the last surviving examples of their kind.
The museum is open every Tuesday, whilst it holds many ‘in steam’ days throughout the year.

So, never let anyone tell you that Herefordshire is just a buffer county between England and Wales – wrong! It’s got it all going on. And we’ll raise a cider to that!