15 ways to holiday at home in Herefordshire

1. Go glamping ...
Thanks to its unspoiled landscape and glorious views, Herefordshire has a wealth of unusual places to stay, like the Goji tree house near Bromyard (07966 529815) or a genuine Mongolian yurt at Midland Farm (01544 318575), or Vivianna at Treeopia (01885 410549) in Tenbury Wells, a luxurious tree house constructed around a tree.  
... or stay in a shepherd’s hut
Visit Canopy & Stars to find the perfect romantic getaway, like Myrtle, a riverside retreat for two in wich dark wood and vibrant colours create a taste of Morocco.
canopyandstars.co.uk
2. ... enjoy some fish and chips
The Old Stables, Ewyas Harold 
This chippy (01981 240237) in a little village is only open Wednesday-Friday, but Marcus and his team will greet you with a smile and provide good service from start to finish.
And if you take your fish supper to either The Dog or The Temple Bar Inn and eat in their gardens, you’ll qualify for the Eat Out to Help Out discount on your meal.
Fiddler’s Elbow, Leintwardine
Fiddlers Elbow (01547 540610) was named in the top 50 takeaways serving fish suppers by Fry Magazine after a visit by a mystery diner. “We pride ourselves on serving our customers delicious genuine dishes like: fish and chips, burgers, sausages and more!
“We do not serve fast food, we serve quality food as fast as we can!” Currently closed to walk-in customers, but offering Click & Collect and local delivery, Tuesday to Thursday 5-8pm, Friday to Saturday noon to 2 and 5-8pm.
3. Followed by an ice-cream ... 
Rowlestone Court Farm
Luxury dairy ice cream made on the farm in Dorstone from their own cows’ milk and cream, egg yolk and sugars. The mornings milk is used to make that day’s ice cream, from field to freezer in one day. 
rowlestoneicecream.co.uk
Shepherd’s Ice Cream
The original sheep’s milk ice-cream, made using the best of local produce in season - Herefordshire strawberries and blackcurrants, with damsons, gooseberries and apples from the garden. Visit the parlour in Hay-on-Wye.
shepherdsicecream.co.uk
4. Go wild swimming
With pools closed and beaches off-limits in the early days of the lockdown, wild swimming has enjoyed a surge in popularity. Happily, Herefordshire offers plenty of wild dip opportunities - at Mortimer’s Cross on the River Lugg, you’ll find deep pools with jumps and shallows to paddle in, or a pebble beach at Bredwardine Bridge. Check out the Wild Guide: Central England for plenty more suggestions.
5. Go canoeing
From an hour to a full day, see Herefordshire from a different perspective. There are plenty of canoe hire companies along the length of the Wye - if you want to start in the south of the county, head to Symonds Yat where you’ll find Wyedean Canoe Hire. Beginners are asked to book for no more than three hours, in case of any need for rescue. In the north of the county, Wye Valley Canoes in Glasbury has Canadian canoes, single and double kayaks to hire. The River Wye from Glasbury is a beautiful and unspoilt stretch of river with stunning views of the Black Mountains and Hay Bluff with kingfishers, sandmartins, herons, grebes and even the occasional otter spotted en route. 
6. Cycle the black and white trail
‘Unrivalled in England’ said architectural historian Alec Clifton-Taylor of the half timbered ‘black and white’ buildings of north-west Herefordshire. 
The Black & White Village Trail is a motor/cycle route through some of the prettiest villages and most beautiful landscape in England. The 40 mile circular trail leads west from the ancient town of Leominster, through a rich landscape of orchards, hopyards and distant hills, taking in the most picturesque black and white villages along the way as well as the little market town of Kington.
blackandwhitetrail.org
7. Walk Offa’s Dyke Path
But maybe not all of it - Offa’s Dyke Path is a 177 mile (285km) long walking trail. It is named after, and often follows, the spectacular dyke King Offa ordered to be constructed in the 8th century, probably to divide his Kingdom of Mercia from rival kingdoms in what is now Wales. The trail starts in Chepstow and runs to Prestatyn in North Wales, taking in eight counties along the way, including Herefordshire, with original parts of the dyke still visible in the Kington area.
nationaltrails.co.uk
8. Visit Arthur’s Cave ...
The cave is shrouded in local superstition and is believed to have had a part in the early legend of King Vortigern, a native British king who fought against the invading Anglo Saxons. A limestone cave at the foot of a low cliff at the north-western end of Lord’s Wood in The Doward, near Symonds Yat, Herefordshire, about four miles northeast of Monmouth. The cave entrance lies about 285 feet above the River Wye on a hill, with a double interconnected entrance and two main chambers. It is protected as a nature reserve under the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. Best parking for KAC round the corner at Biblins though there is space for a few cars at the top of the track. 

9. .... and Arthur’s Stone
An atmospheric Neolithic burial chamber made of great stone slabs, set in the hills above Herefordshire’s Golden Valley in Dorstone.
Like many prehistoric monuments in western England and Wales, this tomb has been linked to King Arthur since before the 13th century. According to legend, it was here that Arthur slew a giant who left the impression of his elbows on one of the stones as he fell.

10. Flora and fauna

While some of the county's leading tourist attractions remain closed, two of the most popular Ralph Court Gardens - 12 themed gardens set around a Gothic rectory - and the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre are open to visitors in search of a great day out.

11. Visit the cathedral .... and two of Herefordshire’s ecclesiastical gems
In the cathedral, make sure you visit the Audley Chapel to see the Traherne stained glass windows, designed and made by Tom Denny, who took his inspiration from the works of the 17th-century poet and mystic Thomas Traherne. The windows feature the city, local flora and fauna and familiar landmarks. 
Among the many churches in the county, two are of particular interest:
Shobdon - a hugely important work of architecture. It has a direct connection to Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill in Twickenham and the members of the Committee of Taste which strongly influenced its design. Read more about the Church. The amazingly intact interior and matching furniture are the sole example of this Walpolean Gothick style of Georgian church architecture and furnishing. Kilpeck -  which dates from comparatively late in the Norman period and yet it is awash with the most elaborate carvings, many of a distinctly un-Christian nature. Celtic, Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and pagan imagery vies with Christian iconography in a riot of dragons, warriors, monsters and animals. 
12. Take a castle trail
The Marches have more than their fair share of castles, thanks to the fiercely disputed border between England and Wales. Cross the border yourself and visit a pair of castles - Grosmont and Skenfrith (two of the Three Castles linked by a circular walk), established by the Normans in the wake of their conquest of England in 1066, to protect the route from Wales to Hereford - or head to Goodrich Castle near Ross-on-Wye, which takes its name from an English landowner, Godric, who built the first castle on the site in the late 11th century. The castle was besieged by Parliamentarians during the Civil War
13. Symonds Yat Rock
Where you can watch the peregrine falcons nesting on the cliff face opposite and enjoy one of the most quintessential river views - recognisable from hundreds of tourist publications. The kiosk here has re-opened too.

14. Visit (the gardens of) a stately home

The grounds of three of Herefordshire's National Trust properties - Berrington Hall, Croft Castle and Brockhampton Court - have re-opened for pre-booked visits as have Eastnor Castle and Hampton Court Castle. The age-old holiday pleasure of browsing historic homes may not be available, but a walk in a Capability Brown garden at Berrington Hall is!

15. ... and just for the grown-ups
A tour of Chase Distillery
Expert tour guides will take you through the secrets and skills that go into making Chase’s award-winning range of gin and vodka.
You’ll discover first-hand the traditional methods of mashing, fermenting and distilling of our field to bottle spirits.During the tour, you will enjoy; a Chase GB Gin & Tonic followed by a tutored tasting and a zesty Pink Grapefruit Gin & Tonic to finish.Tour numbers are limited to a maximum of six people and booking is essential.
chasedistillery.co.uk