Paradise for food lovers
Herefordshire is a flight- free destination away from the crowds, writes Wendy Gomersall
These days, we’re all looking for great places to holiday that are closer to home and away from the crowds, no flight required. With its pretty villages full of historic black and white houses, unspoilt countryside galore and range of outdoors activities such as walking and cycling, Herefordshire is brilliant for a short escape. It’s also heaven for food lovers, with a wide choice of taste bud- satisfying treats and great restaurants to try ...
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Herefordshire is renowned for its juicy apples and the refreshing cider that comes from them.
Tourism organisation Visit Herefordshire has just launched two trails, ‘ The Cider Circuits’ to help you find your way around – go to visitherefordshire. co. uk for more info. Each self- guided
trail of around 45 miles through stunning orchards can be done by cycle or car and starts and ends at Hereford Cathedral. Westons Cider Mill at Ledbury offers tours, westonscider. co. uk, too.
If gin’s your thing, book a tour at Chase Distillery in Preston Wynne. Of course, you get to taste some, too, chasedistillery. co. uk – the pink grapefruit and pomelo gin is incredible. Or discover how White Heron makes its excellent British Cassis on a visit to 700- acre Whittern Farms, Lyonshall, where the finest blackcurrants are grown, some for Ribena.
Must taste White Heron’s incredible raspberry- flavoured framboise, so delicious.
Café society
Herefordshire has a number of little gem cafes. Tucked away in Hereford near the bus station you’ll find No. 9 The Balcony, offering a menu of tempting small plates such as fresh and green lamb with hummus and salsa verde.
The Nest near Ledbury, has a fantastic delicatessen selling Hereford goodies for the larder, including homemade cakes, as well as a café serving Hand Made Scotch Eggs in a variety of flavours – tasty Braveheart features pork with chilli and fresh lime, nestledbury. co. uk
Cake lovers will also adore the Hen & Dot at Flanesford Priory, near Ross- on- Wye, a gorgeous little café set in the countryside with a view of Goodrich Castle and a big terrace to spread out on, flanesford. com
Must taste Hen & Dot’s legendary lemon and elderflower cake.
Shop around
Hereford city centre is home to plenty of places to buy goodies to take home. Don’t miss the incredible Mousetrap Cheese Shop – if you intend buying pungent Stinking Bishop cheese pack plenty of tin foil to wrap it in – and the Buttermarket for cured meats galore. If you’re feeling peckish, join the queues opposite the market at Thurabread Bakery, where a paltry £ 2.50 buys you a whopping bacon bap. Out and about, Monkland Cheese Dairy offers a Cheese Experience, café and shop, monklandcheesedairy. co. uk, and Legges in Bromyard and Hereford stocks a range of local products and wonderful pies and quiches, leggesofbromyard. com
Must taste An Old Boy pork pie from Legges, mouthwatering.
Best burgers
Burger lovers will adore The Beefy Boys in the Old Market, Hereford, where juicy 21- day- aged Hereford beef is served in a number of incarnations. Also new in Hereford is The Yard, three restaurants in one, a central heated al fresco area, perfect for social distancing.
Crumplebury, home to the Green Cow Kitchens, main; Legges shop, top right; the famed juicy apples, above
Must taste The Beefy Boys’ salted caramel brownie, outstanding.
Dinner is served
Crumplebury, once the Whitbourne Estate’s old pigsty and outbuildings, is home to the Green Cow Kitchens finedining restaurant – Saturday’s tasting menu dinner costs just £ 50 per person. Luxurious midweek stays are offered this autumn from just £ 175 per night per room including dinner and B& B, an absolute bargain. Book it now, crumplebury. co. uk
Alternatively, enjoy a Michelinstarred meal at Pensons at the Netherwood Estate, near Bromyard. Must taste Pensons crunchy bread with yeast butter is phenomenal.
Herefordshire is renowned for its juicy apples and refreshing cider
Where to stay
In autumn The Green Dragon offers classic doubles from £ 120 per night, with breakfast, dinner and afternoon tea on the day of arrival, greendragonhotel. com – or White Heron offers The Colloquy, gorgeous self- catering hotel accommodation. Rooms from just £ 158 for a two night stay, whiteheronproperties. com