4 Things to Do in Herefordshire on a Long Weekend
Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash
Those who want to see more of what Herefordshire have to offer are in for a real treat. This often-overlooked county provides a quiet and peaceful haven for Londoners. Restore your senses with uninterrupted natural beauty, native wildlife and eclectic activities like llama trekking through the Black Mountains. Such unique pass-times are part of Herefordshire’s charm, bringing visitors back time again for some much-needed space and unbridled enjoyment of the smaller things.
Central to Herefordshire is the city of Hereford, an excellent place to base yourself as you explore the rest of the county. The city boasts independent shops, cafes and even car garages if you find you need to replace a car tyre on your road trip. The beautiful cathedral is worth a visit, but it’s also the home to the famous Museum of Cider – an unmissable experience for all ages (they do school visits, so children are welcome!)
Golden Valley Llamas
Let’s go right back to those llamas because they’re certainly a fluffy highlight during your stay. Nothing quite prepares you for the cuteness of these gorgeous creatures, and the fact that you can adopt one for an hour or two during a beautiful walk makes the whole experience even more unforgettable.
They’re friendly, curious and ever-so lovable. Before you set off on your trek, you must first create a bond of trust by grooming and stroking them, allowing them to get used to your touch and voice. Then, with a rope in hand, you can gently lead them off over the Monnow Valley and the wild Herefordshire Plain.
Once you get back, reward their efforts with a few handfuls of cereal. Then, if you’re really keen, you can spend the night at Old King Cottage where the llamas live.
Wye Valley Falconry
Another beauty from the animal kingdom is the mighty falcon. Patroller of the sky and a terrifyingly good hunter, these birds of prey are truly impressive, even if they’re not so fuzzy and cute as the llamas.
Over at Wye Valley Falconry, you can watch the trainers at work and even handle one of them on your hand. Learn all about how they’re trained and watch them fly up high, only to stoop at eyewatering speeds to catch something as small as a mouse. A truly interactive experience for all and a great thing to do with the kids!
Blacksmithing experience
Herefordshire is rich in history, the most significant of which is their blacksmithing. Over at Oldfield Lodge, they’re proudly keeping the centuries-old tradition alive with an immersive, interactive experience that shows you the ancient craft, and also lets you try your hand at it.
It’s not for the faint hearted! You’ll be dealing with molten-hot metals that burn bright red when they’re brought out of the anvil. Then, you can get to work knocking the metal into place with a hammer and create your own barbecue tools! You can even make some swords if you want to re-enact some Medieval drama or go smaller with some beautiful rings.
Pottery classes
If blacksmithing is a bit too hardcore for you, go for something more easy-going with a pottery class. There are workshops all over the country. Clubs like Eastnor Pottery and Hereford’s CUP Ceramics Community are all happy to welcome people of all experience levels and help them mould something unique for their home.
Image credit: Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash