Herefordshire & Worcestershire y
Annual County Tourist Guide
Issue 16 - 2018
Historic Buildings | Festivals Gardens | Museums | Tourist Attractions
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CONTENTS 4
2
14
22
28
Pages 2
Historic Buildings Pages 12
Gardens & Outdoors Pages 22
Cover image Š Hergest Croft Gardens
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38 Welcome to the 2018 edition of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Signpost, your indispensable guide to the best tourist attractions and days out the county has to offer.
Festivals & Shows Pages 38
Attractions & Museums
We hope that you find our guide, a pleasure to read, both interesting and informative, and that you will take it away with you, to use again and again. We offer a taster of the visitor attractions and events within the counties, for both locals and those who visiting from afar. Published by: County Signpost Ltd Editor: Adam Davison
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All material in this magazine is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of printing. County Signpost Ltd does not accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies which slipped through. Copyright County Signpost Ltd 2018. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the written permission of the publisher.
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EASTNOR CASTLE
Eastnor Castle is a magnificent Georgian Castle dramatically situated at the foot of the Malvern Hills, near Ledbury, Herefordshire and is surrounded by a beautiful deer park, lake and arboretum. The castle is still the home of the Hervey-Bathurst family and its lavish interiors contain medieval armour, fine art and a Gothic Drawing Room designed by A.W. Pugin.
In the grounds there is plenty to do for all ages including an adventure playground, junior obstacle course, knight’s maze, tree-top walkway, woodland play area, children’s fun booklets, lakeside walks and woodland walks. The arboretum contains the finest collection of Cedars in Britain. There is a shop, kitchen café serving light lunches, tea, coffee and cakes, and ice-cream parlour and a large picnic area with tables on the Valley Lawn. Eastnor Castle is open for visitors in 2018 on selected days from Friday 30th March until Sunday 30th September. Please visit the website www.eastnorcastle.com for details of opening times and prices.
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A family-fun event is held at Eastnor Castle every day they are open to visitors. The visiting season starts off with a legendary Easter Treasure Hunt running from Good Friday to Easter Monday; this is always a popular family event and all children get to go home with a chocolate prize.
The Eastnor Chilli Festival will be in its 7th year this year and will be held on Sunday 6th and Monday 7th May. This renowned festival sees the castle courtyard transformed into a marketplace where all sorts of chilli products, from chilli jam to chilli chocolate, are available to try and buy. A large demonstration tent hosts chilli themed cookery demonstrations throughout the day and the highlight of each day is definitely the Chilli Eating Competition where contestants get to try their chilli limits with increasingly hot chillies in front of a large crowd. Add in some live music and children’s entertainment and this is definitely an event not to be missed. Details of all events can be found at www.eastnorcastle.com/whats-on www.countysignpost.co.uk
Eastnor Castle - 2018 Events Sun 6th – Mon 7th May
Eastnor Chilli Fest
Sun 3rd June
Family Fun Day
Sun 27th – Mon 28th May Sun 10th June
Vintage Eastnor
Outdoor Theatre – Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Fri 15th to Sun 17th June
Malverns Classic – DEER PARK EVENT
Fri 29th June to Sun 1st July
El Dorado Festival – DEER PARK EVENT
Sun 24th June Sun 22nd July
Thu 9th to Mon 13th August Sat 8th September Sun 7th October
SOS Day
Children’s Outdoor Theatre – The Midnight Gang by David Walliams Lakefest – DEER PARK EVENT
Firework Championships – DEER PARK EVENT Mud Bath – DEER PARK EVENT
Details of all events can be found at www.eastnorcastle.com/whats-on
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HEREFORD CATHEDRAL
Hereford Cathedral is a wonderfully ancient foundation, believed to date back to 676 AD. The present building includes examples of architecture from all periods, from the stately 12th-century nave, the graceful 13th-century Lady Chapel, the solid 14th-century central tower and the 15th-century Stanbury Chapel with its intricate fan-vaulted ceiling to the 20thcentury Cathedral Library and a wealth of beautiful stained glass. It is a building which is constantly changing, but continues to stand proudly at the centre of the city, thanks to the devotion of many generations. Above all, Hereford Cathedral is on a human scale – it doesn’t overwhelm with its size or grandeur. People remark on its homeliness and feeling of welcome.
Uncovered!
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Treasures housed in Hereford Cathedral’s exhibition area include Mappa Mundi - the unique medieval map of the world - and the spectacular Chained Library. Temporary exhibitions for 2018 begin with Uncovered!, revealing how the latest scientific techniques are enabling researchers from all over the world to give fresh interpretations of the ancient books in the cathedral’s collections. It runs until 19 May and will be followed by a display linking the centenary of women’s suffrage to the musical programme of this year’s Hereford Three Choirs Festival, which runs from 28 July – 4 August.
The cathedral is home to the shrines of St Ethelbert of East Anglia and St Thomas of Hereford, both of which have been recreated in their spectacular medieval colour schemes, and the summer of 2018 will see the launch of a new St Thomas Way pilgrimage route from Swansea to Hereford.
Cathedral tours take place every day except Sunday. Tours of the beautiful riverside gardens behind College Cloisters are also available for booked groups by arrangement and on Wednesdays and Saturdays from end May to end September for individuals. Tower tours are also available on selected days during the year.
For details of services and special events including tours see the cathedral’s website www.herefordcathedral.org HR1 2NG Tel 01432 374212 CATHEDRAL OPEN EVERY DAY Shop, café and exhibition open Monday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm winter, 5 pm summer Exhibition entry £6 adults, £5 students, various group discounts.
14-18 NOW Poppies_Tower of London Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces
Poppies: Weeping Window 14 March to 29 April
Cathedral Café © Ash Mills
Ascension, the new sculpture and window honouring the Special Air Service Regiment, was dedicated by the Bishop of Hereford, the Right Reverend Richard Frith, on 17 October 2017. The installation was funded by gifts through the SAS Regimental Association and Hereford Cathedral Perpetual Trust.
Presented by 14-18 NOW, Hereford Cathedral and Herefordshire Council bring Poppies: Weeping Window to Hereford, offering people an amazing opportunity to experience this sculpture.
The sculpture by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper is one of two touring as part of 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary. As with all 14-18 NOW projects, the presentation of this sculpture to new audiences across the UK aims to prompt a new, nationwide dialogue around the legacy of the war. Weeping Window is a cascade comprising several thousand handmade ceramic poppies seen pouring from a high window to the ground below. Together with a second sculptural work, Wave, they formed part of the iconic installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ at the Tower of London in 2014, and were visited by over five million people. To find out more about the Poppies tour and other 14-18 NOW events visit 1418NOW.org.uk/poppies
Ascension John Maine RA for SASRA © Tom Maine
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HEREFORD CATHEDRAL Armchair Listening
Did you know that you can experience the ethereal sound of Hereford Cathedral’s choral services from the comfort of your own home or office? Through the magic of technology - you can!
There has been a choir at Hereford Cathedral since at least the 13th century, producing beautiful music in the building’s unrivalled acoustic and glorious surroundings. Today, the professional choir of 18 boy choristers aged 7– 13, together with the lay clerks and choral scholars (the gentlemen of the choir, who sing the alto, tenor and bass parts), continues this tradition into the 21st century, providing music at the cathedral’s daily services and many special occasions throughout the year. They also reach a wider audience by singing in concerts, broadcasts on television, and radio, recordings and international tours.
The installation of a new sound system in 2015 made it possible for events in the cathedral to be recorded in-house; initially the recordings were made available to listeners on an occasional basis via the choir’s Soundcloud page, but now they are regularly uploaded as webcasts to the cathedral’s website, and can be enjoyed by anyone, wherever they are in the world.
Sunday morning services, individual sermons or talks and organ recitals are also sometimes produced by the cathedral as webcasts. You can also sign up to be notified by email when a new webcast service is added to the archive.
The cathedral choir sings Choral Evensong every day except Wednesday in term-time, and most of the webcasts tend to be of this beautiful service of worship, which lasts around 45 minutes and includes psalms sung in the distinctive Anglican chant style; a wide range of music from many centuries; and passages of spoken text dating from the sixteenth century. Find out more about Choral Evensong at www.choralevensong.org
Images © Ash Mills
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You can find them at www.herefordcathedral.org/webcasts
HEREFORD CATHEDRAL CHORAL EVENSONG ‘ … one of England’s richest heritages – a living tradition that costs precisely nothing to experience live.’ The Guardian
Can’t get to a cathedral or college chapel service? You can listen to Choral Evensong from Hereford Cathedral in your home or at your desk. Services sung by our choir are regularly recorded and uploaded to our website.
www.herefordcathedral.org/webcasts Or come along and hear our choir live! Choral Evensong is at 5.30pm weekdays (except Wednesdays), 3.30pm Sundays in term-time.
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HARVINGTON HALL
Tucked away in a peaceful corner of Worcestershire, Harvington Hall is a beautiful moated manor house with the largest surviving series of priest hides in the country and a rare collection of original Elizabethan wall paintings.
Originally built in the 1300s and developed magnificently in the late 1500s, Harvington Hall brings to life the fascinating history of the survival of Roman Catholic families and clergymen during the Reformation of the late sixteenth century.
Visitors will discover the Hall’s many ingenious secret priest hides, many of which were designed by Saint Nicholas Owen, and marvel at the outstanding and rare wall paintings of the late 1500s. The moated island is home to a variety of wildlife, not least the highly-esteemed ducks.
The moat harbours sizeable carp, and the occasional Kingfisher has been known to hunt there.
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The Hall’s beautiful gardens offer a peaceful retreat, with a stunning display of colour and a variety of styles. Boasting a formal herb garden and courtyard, a wildflower garden and cottagestyle floral borders, the Hall’s gardens are lovingly tended by dedicated volunteers.
The Moatside Tearoom offers superb homemade cakes and scones and light lunches, all in an atmospheric historic setting. The Hall’s gift shop offers a selection of Fairtrade and unusual gifts and homeware.
The Malt House Visitor Centre offers a series of family activities and historic games, as well as an introductory film about the Hall and an insight into the processes of malting and brewing.
The Hall also has an extensive events programme, including action-packed Living History days, concerts, outdoor theatre and seasonal banqueting events.
Also on the moated island, the Georgian Chapel is a peaceful space. Damaged by fire in 1823, after repairs it became the village school until 1913. It was restored and reopened for worship in the 1980s, and is still used for Mass today.
The Hall is open Wednesdays – Sundays from March – October, from 11.30am. For more information, please see the Hall’s website – www.harvingtonhall.com A Priest Hole
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HAMPTON COURT
A magnificent 15th Century medieval castle, award-winning gardens and parkland, all nestled in the beautiful county of Herefordshire. Hampton Court Castle has an interesting history, which can be explored on one of the tours led by a team of knowledgeable guides.
The gardens at Hampton Court are one of the most ambitious garden creations of our time. Original Victorian garden walls enclose stunning flower gardens divided by canals, island pavilions and impressive water features. The Kitchen Garden is an ornamental garden of fruit and vegetables, supplying produce to the Orangery cafe for its seasonal menu wherever possible.
There is a maze of a thousand yews with a gothic tower at its centre. Climb to the top for a panoramic view of the gardens or descend underground to a tunnel that leads to a waterfall in the Sunken Garden. Beautiful herbaceous borders stretch out from a 150 old Wisteria Arch, which then leads to vast lawns and ancient trees alongside the castle. Explore beyond the lawns to find the riverside and woodland walks.
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The Orangery Cafe is in the impressive conservatory designed by Joseph Paxton in 1846. Delicious lunches, homemade cakes and cream teas can be enjoyed here, with picturesque views across the estate. Enjoy delicious, local ice cream served in the Arkwright Courtyard.
Complete your day out by visiting the beautiful Gift Shop where you will find gifts, plants to remind you of your visit and garden ornamentals. .
Hampton Court Castle, Gardens and Parkland can be found in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside between Hereford and Leominster (close to the junction of the A49 and A417). Telephone 01568 797777 www.hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk
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“The perfect settin g for a memorable day out! “ “A r eally en joyable f ew hours, beautifu l garden s and a lov ely walk by the riv er” “These garden s ar e the sor t of qu intessenti al English cou ntr y garden that I've always dr eamed of v isi ting . I was blown away. I've never seen something so beau tiful.” “Highly recommend this place to an yone who en joys a beautifu l bu ilding in a magn ificen t setting .”
Open from the 29th of March 2018. Events run throughout the summer season at Hampton Court Castle. Join us for Circus entertainment, animal encounters, medieval reenactment, midsummer fair and more. For details visit our website or Facebook: www.hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk @hamptoncourtcastle
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A beautiful, mature, six acre, plant-lovers’ garden developed by Charis Ward with formal, wild and river areas set in the glorious Herefordshire countryside. Just over the river bridge is a further four acre meadow full of unusual trees.
The walled garden is entered through the new gate (installed in 2017 to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Charis Ward and family). The walled garden has has nine individual borders, divided by brick paths. Only bulbs mark where the orchard once was. This area now has a central path, with wirework arches leading to a sculpture with water.
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ABBEY DORE COURT GARDEN
About the Gardens Abbey Dore Court Garden is located at the Southern end of the beautiful Golden Valley in South Herefordshire, just 15 miles from Hay-onWye, 12 miles from Hereford and 15 miles North of Abergavenny.
Just in view of the famous 1147 Cistercian Abbey is this lovely six acre garden made up of a number of very different parts.
As you enter the garden there is a relatively new area with bamboos, trees and shrubs. Several borders add colour and interest. Two long borders, planted purple, gold, bluey green and silver take you to the River Dore and a wild garden full of trees, shrubs and bulbs.
Over the river a 4 acre arboretum of young and unusual trees leads to a seat under two large sequoias. There are other seats throughout the garden where visitors are encouraged to sit and enjoy the peace of the garden.
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The tearoom will be reshaped and rerooved, and will include shelves of local produce and artworks. Be sure to check out the renewed herb garden and bulb wheel in 2018.
The Garden is accessible by wheelchair. There are many gravel paths. The tearoom is also accessible and facilities are available.
Alongside the garden is a small nursery specialising in herbaceous perennials.
www.abbeydorecourt.co.uk Telephone: 01981 240419 HR2 0AD
The Garden has now been open to the public since 1976 and is the work of Charis Ward with considerable help from family members through the years. Maintaining and evolving the garden has passed to the next generation and 2018 should see the transformation of the tea room, shop and yard; all of this whilst guarding the legacy of Charis Ward.
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BROBURY HOUSE & GARDENS
Brobury House Gardens are open all year round to the public, the extensive grounds surround the charming, turreted house built in 1881. It is easy to see why this location was chosen all those years ago to create a traditional terraced Victorian garden. The marvelous gardens we see today, are the result of Pru & Keith Cartwright’s 17 years of meticulous renovation and restoration, with careful planning, empathetic planting and structural improvements, it really is a garden for all seasons and a visual delight.
In a secluded Herefordshire countryside location, Brobury nestles on the banks of the River Wye adjacent to Bredwardine Bridge. The magnificent trees which give structure to the garden were part of the original design and provide focal points throughout the grounds. Later additions such as the striking stand of Paper Birches enhance the overall backdrop, creating wonderful photographic opportunities
Water is a recurring theme, with three formal water features having been sympathetically woven into the original terraces. Neptune’s
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garden is particularly lovely and changes dramatically from the calm of water lilies and grasses in the summer to dramatic swathes of fiery colour from the Acers in the autumn. The Grotto is a tranquil place to sit & and listen to the water gently trickling. In summer time there is a wonderful scent of flowers especially from the roses & dianthus. Water lilies are a recurring theme in the ponds and also the bog garden. You can take a gentle stroll following a meandering stream through informal woodland & architectural planting which will lead you down to the water meadow. There are many benches and seating areas strategically placed around the gardens - so do take time to sit and enjoy the views of the house, flowers, shrubs, trees & river. Stay a while, take a picnic and enjoy the ambience as long as you like. Brobury is a very tranquil place, no need to hurry. Gardeners are always at work in the grounds, they’re very friendly, knowledgeable & happy to answer your questions. The walled kitchen garden and greenhouse is very much a working garden. Fruit, vegetables and flowers
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are grown to supply the house. Espaliered peach, nectarine & kiwis thrive on the mellow old brick walls. In the greenhouse the aged vines produce huge bunches of dessert grapes every year, much to everyone’s delight.
In addition to the lovely gardens you can also enjoy panoramic views across the valley to the beautiful Regency style Bredwardine Vicarage where the Rev. Francis Kilvert the Victorian diarist lived in his later years, his final resting place at Bredwardine Church. Brobury House is built on the old vegetable garden of the vicarage and Kilvert is said to have planted the Mulberry tree which to this day graces the top lawn. Brobury House & Gardens is also a stunning wedding venue. Plus there are two cosy, self catering holiday cottages within the grounds. Contact: Pru Cartwright Telephone: 01981 500229 www.broburyhouse.co.uk enquiries@broburyhouse.co.uk Bredwardine, Herefordshire, HR3 6BS
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Old Court Nurseries were established by Ernest Ballard in 1906. Ballard was one of the first growers to specialise in breeding Asters and he devoted over 50 years to the development of his new race of garden flowers. The Herefordshire village of Colwall became the international home for the popular Michaelmas Daisy. Several fields glowed with colour each autumn when thousands of plants came into flower.
bought the business from the Ballard family in 1956. His son, Paul, joined him in the 1960’s. Paul and his wife Meriel formed the NCCPG National Collection of Autumn Flowering Asters in the 1980’s. At the same time the Picton Garden was much expanded to display nearly 400 varieties of Asters. Since gaining a first class degree in Botany at the University of Reading Helen has been back at the nursery, she has now been joined by her husband Ross Barbour and together they are helping to look after what is probably the largest selection of Michaelmas Daisies in the world.
Enjoy a tour of the well known Picton Garden where over 400 varieties of Michaelmas Daisies are growing in profusion with many other late season perennials and shrubs
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OLD COURT NURSERIES & THE PICTON GARDEN
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Address: Old Court Nurseries, Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6QE, Telephone: 01684 540 416
Such was the popularity of Asters during the first 60 years of the 20th century that many other English nurseries grew Michaelmas daisies and some raised new varieties, most of which were based on those raised by Ernest Ballard.
For decades Michaelmas Daisy borders were prominent features in large gardens and the plants were also popular as cut flowers. Autumn flower shows featured displays and those at London shows of the Royal Horticultural Society were always notable. Percy Picton continued Ernest Ballard’s work after he came to manage Old Court Nurseries in 1947. Ernest Ballard died in 1952 and Percy
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Family run since 1906 Michaelmas Daisies Picton Garden tours Japanese Saxifrages Garden design service
Old Court Nurseries www.autumnmasters.co.uk 01684 540416
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LITTLE MALVERN COURT & GARDENS Found nestling at the foot of the Malvern Hills in the shadow of British Camp, Little Malvern Court and Priory provide the perfect blend of history and horticulture. The combination of church, manor house and garden provide a fascinating and delightful afternoon of tranquil exploration.
Cedar trees and 115 year old Yew hedge were added the Rose Garden, terraces, garden rooms, yew and box topiary and pleached lime avenues. And the remarkable thing is that you cannot tell this part of the garden is only 30 years old. It looks and feels like it has always been there.
Whether you visit in Spring or Summer, there is so much to see.
A Benedictine priory for the first 400 years of its existence, Little Malvern became a family home after the dissolution of the monasteries and has passed by descent to the present owner. Although no longer physically linked to the Priory the medieval Court incorporates the remains of the domestic buildings of the old Priory. Together they sit in a wonderful setting: the wooded slopes of the Malvern Hills to the west, the far-reaching views across the Severn Valley to Bredon Hill and the Cotswolds in the east and immediately surrounding them on all sides the magnificent gardens.
Opening times: 18th April to 19thJuly, Wednesday & Thursday afternoons 2.15pm to 5pm. Also opening for the NGS on Friday 9th, 16th and 23rd March, then again on Bank Holiday Monday 7th May. Tea & homemade cake available in the Courtyard tearoom Tel. 01684 892988 www.littlemalverncourt.co.uk WR14 4JN
And ironically it is the gardens that are very much the modern masterpiece. Dating back 500 years to the time of the monks, they changed very little until the 1980s when a major redesign was undertaken and many of the present features were added. To the ancient fish ponds excavated by the monks, the magnificent Pictures Š Marcus Harpur
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COUNTRY PARK & ARBORETUM
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QUEENSWOOD
Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum is managed by the partnership of Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and New Leaf Sustainable Development.
Begun in 1953, today the Arboretum covers just under 50 acres and includes a collection of Californian redwoods, an avenue of 40 different species of oak and an autumn garden with Japanese maples which display their spectacular coloured foliage in late October.
Stretching for over 120 acres, this native woodland is home to a wealth of wildlife and is the perfect place to a woodland walk all year round.
Queenswood includes a woodland adventure playground and Gruffalo Trail and seasonal trails and activity packs are available all year round from the Visitor Centre. Children’s activities are run throughout the school holidays. The Arboretum has accessible paths suitable for wheelchairs, push chairs and those with limited mobility. Electric mobility vehicles are also available to borrow.
The Visitor Centre and Herefordshire Wildlife Trust Shop was newly opened in 2016 and sells locally-made artisan gifts, woodland products,
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natural history books, children’s gifts and much more!
The Queenswood Café, an independent, familyrun business, is also based at the site.
The Gruffalo Trail was launched in Autumn 2016. Hundreds of families attended the Gruffalo’s Spring Picnic in 2017 and in late November 2017 a new Gruffalo’s Child sculpture was unveiled at the Gruffalo’s Christmas Celebration.
Queenswood is one of the hubs for the county’s annual h.Energy Festival which runs in October.
Queenswood teams up with Herefordshire Fungus Survey Group to run fungi events each autumn. Regular children’s activities include WildPlay Get Crafty; Adventure Club and Wildlife Watch Club. Queenswood also hosts children’s Birthday Parties. In 2017, a programme of sustainability events was run at Queenswood as part of project Living Well. www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org 01432 530088 HR6 0PY www.countysignpost.co.uk
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Out A G r e a t D a y i l y OVER 70 OV OVE 7 m a F e h T For All STEAM ENGINES S Over 1,000 Exhibits and Something for Everyone Adults: £13.00 ~ Senior Citizens: £12.00 ~ Children: £1.00
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www w www.ShrewsburySteamRally.co.uk www.ShrewsburySteamRally.co.u www.ShrewsburySteamRally.co. www.ShrewsburySteamRally.co www.ShrewsburySteamRally.c www.ShrewsburySteamRally. www.ShrewsburySteamRally www.ShrewsburySteamRall www.ShrewsburySteamRal www.ShrewsburySteamRa www.ShrewsburySteamR www.ShrewsburySteam www.ShrewsburyStea www.ShrewsburySte www.ShrewsburySt www.ShrewsburyS www.Shrewsbury www.Shrewsbur www.Shrewsbu www.Shrewsb www.Shrews www.Shrew www.Shre www.Shr www.Sh www.S www. w Email: info@shrewsburysteamrally.co.uk Tel: 01938 570874
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HERGEST CROFT GARDENS From spring bulbs to autumn colour, Hergest Croft Gardens is a garden for all seasons. Four distinct gardens with over 5,000 rare shrubs and trees are sure to delight everyone. Rhododendrons and azaleas in Azalea Garden and Park Wood are spectacular in spring. The large Kitchen Garden containing long double herbaceous borders, rose garden and spring borders and unusual vegetables are full of fascination. Autumn colours are superb. Hergest Croft Gardens also contains trees from all five continents with the exception of Antarctica.
Those of you walking on Offa’s Dyke path across Hergest Ridge may notice a group of Monkey Puzzles, Araucaria araucana, in the centre of the old Race Course and wonder why they are there. Dick Banks, planted them more than thirty years ago. He had travelled to the high Andes in Chile and had seen them on the peaks, and wanted to bring the same experience to Kington.
One of the most spectacular trees in the garden is the Pocket Handkerchief tree, Davidia involucrata. In 1900 a plant collector, Ernest ‘Chinese’ Wilson, was sent out to find this tree, which had been described by a French missionary, Pere David. When he reached the place where it had been growing he found that it had been cut down for firewood... and he had to go one thousand miles further to find another. Ridgeway Catering serve tea and light lunches in the old dining-room of Hergest Croft. Rare and unusual plants are for sale, and there are a wide range of gifts for sale in the Hall. Telephone 01544 230160 Email: gardens@hergest.co.uk www.hergest.co.uk
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Image credit: © Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces
Weeping Window is from the installation ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ - poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins and installation designed by Tom Piper - by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces, originally at HM Tower of London 2014.
14 March to 29 April 2018
Hereford Cathedral www.herefordcathedral2018.org #PoppiesTour
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Ludlow Spring Festival
May 12th - 13th
SPRING FESTIVAL GIVES MORE, MORE, MORE The 2018 Ludlow Spring Festival promises to be a real corker bringing together the very best regional beer, food, music, plus gorgeous classic cars in the form of the Marches Transport Festival. This is a beer festival and so much more, with over 200 glorious ales from more than 60 local brewers available to taste over the weekend. For those not so keen on beer, don’t worry there will also be ciders, perry, fruit flavoured liqueurs and local wines.
There will also be plenty of artisan food producers too, so don’t wait till the September Festival to stock up on your favourite products. It’s a great chance to meet producers, hear about their story and learn why they make their products.
As always, the beer and food are accompanied by a wealth of great music - from jazz and blues, to Latin and folk. There’s also The Marches Transport Festival where you can see all sorts of classic cars – from pre-war gems right through to modern day classics of the 70’s and 80’s.
This year’s Ludlow Spring Festival runs 12th13th May – and there’s also a special preview evening on Friday 11th May (5pm-9pm) when visitors can ‘Meet the Brewer’. It’s a unique opportunity to talk to brewers about their beers and sample the full selection. With prizes handed out early in the weekend, favourites sell out quickly so the Friday preview is an opportunity not to be missed.
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We have Early Bird and Pre Festival discounts available this year – visit our website for more details: www.ludlowspringfestival.co.uk
See you there!
2018 OPENING TIMES: Friday 11th May - Meet the Brewer preview night - 5pm to 9pm Saturday 12th May - 10am to 9pm Sunday 13th May - 10am to 5pm www.countysignpost.co.uk
Ludlow Food Festival
7th - 9th September
number of Great British Menu, Masterchef and Great British Bake Off winners and contestants. Keep an eye on the festival’s website www.foodfestival.co.uk for details in the coming months.
A feast for all the senses ... The Ludlow Food Festival was first run in 1995 and was the result of a pub table conversation amongst likeminded friends looking to preserve and promote the independent shops and producers of the town and surrounding area. These principles still guide everything the festival continues to do today. The event has grown from an initial 500 visitors to around 20,000 and is renowned across the globe for its foodie focus - with visitors coming from across the UK as well as the United States, Japan and Australia.
Masterclasses, tasting sessions and specialist talks are always incredibly popular. Little ones won’t miss out either, with a special kids’ cookery school. Of course the ever-popular sausage and ale trails will also be taking place around Ludlow too, so you can take in the delights of the town’s many independent shops along the way.
Early Bird and Pre Festival discounts are available so book your tickets in advance on the website: www.foodfestival.co.uk
See you there! 7th-9th September 2018
Organisers of the Ludlow Food Festival are hard at work bringing together a host of new and favourite attractions for visitors to enjoy on 7th9th September. More than 160 of the very best local food and drink producers will be in the stunning surroundings of Ludlow Castle sharing their skills, enthusiasm and of course amazing products they make. The line-up of chefs, food experts and enthusiasts across Ludlow’s two main stages, promises to be full of exceptional talent and variety with some new faces promised this year. In the past we have welcomed great chefs such as Michelin starred Tom Kerridge, Glynn Purnell and Claude Bosi as well as a
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CONFETTI FLOWER FIELD
Acres of delphiniums and cornflowers bloom on the Wyke Manor Estate Farm in Worcestershire every July. It is a spectacular sight and a wonderful experience to wander in amongst the flowers!
There are beautiful stripes of colourful flowers, winding paths, walkways and lovely views to Bredon Hill, Pershore Abbey and the surrounding countryside. Bring your friends and family, come and have a wander, enjoy the scenery, take some photos and then enjoy tea, coffee and delicious locally made cakes in our pop up Confetti Café! Opening Times: 2018
Weather: The flowers fields are very dependent on the weather! Please check the website closer to the time of your visit for any updates.
There is very little shade in the field so we recommend you wear a hat and sunscreen when it is sunny, and wellies when wet.
Visiting: Please remember this is a farm field – The field is bumpy and uneven underfoot and unsuitable for most wheelchairs and pushchairs/prams. There is free parking on site and the location will be sign posted from the B4084 at Wick. www.confettidirect.co.uk Tel: 01386 555045 WR10 3NZ
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Visit Eastnor
/EastnorCastle @EastnorCastle
eastnorcastle.com
2018 Visitor Opening Open for visitors on selected days between Easter and September. A family event included in the entrance price every day we are open, see our website for details. CASTLE • ARBORETUM •MAZE PLAYGROUNDS • LAKE
Every journey ends with a memory.
Visit svr.co.uk or call 01562 757 900 KIDDERMINSTER · BEWDLEY · BRIDGNORTH
Severn Valley Railway Official Site
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3 Choirs Festival
28th July - 4th August
The Three Choirs Festival has its origins at the end of the 17th century in visits by the lay clerks of Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester to one another’s cathedrals for joint services and informal singing. More formal annual ‘music meetings’ can be traced back to around 1715 and have continued ever since, interrupted only by the two world wars, making this the oldest continuously running classical music festival in the world. The event rotates between the three cathedral cities on a three-year cycle. The next festival takes place in Hereford 28 July – 4 August 2018 and is the 291st Three Choirs Festival.
The Three Choirs Festival Chorus is largely drawn from auditioned members of choral societies in Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester, with the largest contingent each year coming from the host city. Amateur choral singers have been taking part in the festival since the middle of the 19th century to augment the cathedral choirs of boy trebles and male altos, tenors and basses.
The heart of the festival will once again be the Festival Hub, located in Hereford Cathedral School, where concert-goers and passers-by can find hot and cold meals as well as a bar and café, a free art exhibition and a friendly place to meet friends or spend a quiet moment.
Families are also welcome, with plenty of events for children, including an introduction to the wind quintet with the Magnard Ensemble, a dark retelling of Hansel and Gretel performed by the Goldfield Ensemble for teens and adults, shadow puppet storytelling with string quartet, and drama, drumming and puppetry workshops. www.3choirs.org
Pictures © Ash Mills
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Hampton Court Castle Gardens & Parkland a Castle with 600 years of history and gardens of beauty
“One of england’s best kept secrets”
Hampton Court Castle is one of the most romantic castles in England, set in the heart of the beautiful Herefordshire countryside.
Only 15 minutes drive from Hereford, this 15th Century Castle is set in expansive parkland and woodland. The spectacularly designed formal gardens which have received worldwide acclaim attract visitors and garden enthusiasts from across the country and beyond. The Joseph Paxton designed Orangery Cafe is open daily serving delicious lunches, cream teas and homemade cakes.
The Castle and Gardens will be open to the public from the 29th of March - 16th of September. Gardens open each day. Castle may be closed for private functions.
Open every day from 10.30am - 5pm
Hampton Court Estate, Hope Under Dinmore, Leominster, HR6 0PN Tel: 01568 797777 Email: office@hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk www.hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk
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2nd August
THE BEST IN ITS FIELD !
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Burwarton Show
Pigs might fly at Burwarton Show, but this year it is flying motorbikes Burwarton Show on 2 August is a terrific day out for the family with an exciting host of attractions. Jamie Squibb Freestyle Motorcycle Stunt Team are back by popular demand and new to Burwarton this year is the Inter-Club Scurry Driving Challenge – if you’ve never seen Scurry Driving come and be amazed. New to the show circuit this year Burwarton is pleased to present the Hogg Show – rare breed pigs as you’ve never seen them before, and by way of a complete contrast Adabra Giant Tortoises is a unique collection of giant tortoises, child friendly and weighing up to a third of a tonne each, as well as sheep shearing, trade stands, a food hall, handicrafts, horticulture, conservation and more full-size horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats than you’ve ever seen in one place.
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Last year visitors were amazed by the antics of the Squibb Freestyle Stunt Team with their motorcycle acrobatics high above the arena and this year we are promised even higher and more spectacular stunts to keep hearts in mouths. Equally exciting but less noisy and at a lower level, and after several attempts, the Show hosts Scurry Driving in the form of an Inter-Club Challenge. The drivers guide their horses and carriages at a fast and furious pace around the main ring course competing against the clock and each other – a spectacle not to be missed.
All the usual attractions are present with heavy emphasis on a traditional agricultural show, local crafts, conservation area with a donkey and petting farm with rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and donkeys and locally produced food with talks and demonstrations from the Ludlow Food Centre showcasing cheeses and how they are made, coffee and its selection and preparation and an overview of the food centre with a chance to sample some of their products. Competition is fierce with classes for heavy horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and driving plus the ever popular mounted Fancy Dress class as well as dressage and show jumping to amaze and delight.
The show starts at 8.00 a.m. with the first horse classes in the Main Ring and continues throughout the day with cattle and sheep classes in the livestock classes and horse classes (inhand and ridden) in the horse field.
For the younger visitors, the Village Green and Children’s Play areas welcome the return of the Panic Family (non-animal) Circus with jugglers, clowns, fire eaters and the traditional Punch and Judy Show plus a host of other entertainment.
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Also returning for another year, Pentabus Theatre who are really excited to be back. Their interactive tent is a great spot to sit and relax where you can sample some of their plays, play with the toy farm and see some mini live performances – a sort of pop-up rural theatre.
The Showground is at Cleobury North WV16 6RP on the B4364 between Bridgnorth and Ludlow and parking is free. Ticket prices remain unchanged from last year - admission is £17 adults, £16 concessions, Juniors (12-16 years) £5, accompanied children 11 years and under FREE. Tickets are available at pre-show discounted prices from outlets throughout the county, on-line at www.burwartonshow.co.uk or direct from the Show Office on 01746 787535. Follow us on twitter @burwarton-show.
Look forward to seeing you on 2nd August.
Images © Mike Ashton
THE LION AT LEINTWARDINE
Cosford Food Festival
Head up to the RAF Cosford Air Museum in Shropshire for the
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the 1940s vintage vocal harmony trio The Bluebird Bells.
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With plenty of entertainment for the entire
Fine food and flying machines! A tasty line-up of over 90 local producers will be heading to the Cosford Food Festival, taking place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July, which promises to serve up the very best food and drink the Midland’s has to offer.
Held in the spacious grounds at the RAF Museum Cosford, a bustling food market will showcase some of the region’s finest artisan produce and locally brewed beverages. On top of popular favourites, there will be plenty of new producers joining the festival for the first time, making this year’s event the biggest and the best yet.
Organisers have also lined up delicious food for visitors to enjoy at the festival and will be serving up flavours from around the world to tempt foodies.
Visitors can learn from local chefs how to prepare the perfect dish during live cooking demonstrations both days, including a chef from the RAF. Plus, festival goers can sit back and enjoy live music including performances from Cosford and Shawbury Military Wives Choir and
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family taking place over the whole weekend, including cookery classes, circus skills and an under 5’s play bus, it is sure to be a great day out! Admission Prices: Adult £5.00 Child (5-15 years) £2.00 Family (2 adults, up to 4 children) £14.00 Children under 5 - FREE www.rafmuseum.org/cosford Telephone 01902 376200 Follow the event on Facebook: @CosfordFoodFestival
Church Stretton Arts Festival
Celebrating the arts in the heart of the Shropshire Hills 28th July - 12th August 2018 Programme includes
London Mozart Players Complete and Utter History of Jazz Phil Rickman Aquarelle Guitar Quartet Robert Plane & The Gould Trio Peter Moore - Trombone
Plant sales, gift shop, home-made lunches & teas Open 12 noon to 5:30pm from April to the end of October
and much more...
Art, Crafts & Photography Exhibition Coffee Concerts Organ Recitals www.strettonfestival.org.uk
Little Malvern Court picture Š Marcus Harpur
Nr Malvern WR14 4JN
HERGEST.CO.UK KINGTON HR5 3EG
Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre 24th & 25th Nov 2018
Open 18th April to 19th July, Weds & Thurs 2.15pm - 5.00pm. Other weekdays by appointment. Garden open for the NGS Bank Holiday Monday 7th May
01684 892988 littlemalverncourt.co.uk
20 Celebrating our 20th anniversary, come, eat, drink and be merry with everything from hog roasts to hot chocolate as you shop ‘til you drop with 100+ stalls of gorgeous goodies.
Buy tickets online at ludlowmedievalchristmas.
We celebrate important birthdays for two composers with long-held Presteigne Festival connections – Michael Berkeley and David Matthews – and the outstanding musical polymath Martin Butler joins us as composer-inresidence.
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The programme for the 36th Presteigne Festival (23-28 August) has a strong Baltic flavour. Important works by a range of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian composers, among them . Vladas Jakubenas, Tõnu Kõrvits, Ester Mägi, Arvo Pärt, Raminta Šerkšnyte, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Pēteris Vasks, are included
Performing artists include the Navarra Quartet, Ruby Hughes soprano, Kristine Balanas violin, pianists Huw Watkins, Joseph Tong and Martin Butler, a specially-formed Festival Ensemble, oboists James Turnbull and Ben Marshall, cellist Joanna Gutowska, the Choir of Royal Holloway conducted by Rupert Gough and the everpopular Festival Orchestra under artistic director George Vass.
A wonderful collection of supporting events will include exhibitions, a Nordic film feature, talks from Stephen Johnson, Ian Marchant and Peter Lord, poetry and Well Thumbed a fabulous oneman show from Terry Victor. Brochures available at the end of April from: Presteigne Festival, PO Box 30, Presteigne Powys LD8 2WF 01544 267800
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piano), Huw Watkins (Echo, a song-cycle for soprano and piano jointly commissioned with Carnegie Hall, New York) and, from 2017 Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize winner Manos Charalabopoulos, a work for solo cello. The Festival’s successful relationship with Nova Music Opera continues to flourish; the company perform Joseph Phibbs’ new chamber opera Juliana at the Festival (a cocommission with the Cheltenham Music Festival), inspired by August Strindberg’s unsettling stage drama Miss Julie.
www.presteignefestival.com
Martin Butler
Our exploration of the world of contemporary British music continues with exciting commissions from a mix of established and emerging talent – Cydonie Banting (The Gate of Dawn, for solo piano), David Bednall (an unaccompanied choral setting of a Marian text), Martin Butler (Concertante Dances, for piano and chamber orchestra), Gareth Moorcraft (a work for oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and
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Navarra Quartet
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2 3 – 28 AUGUST 2 3 – 28 AWST
“Voted best places in Britain to see the autumn colours” BBC Country File 2017
Beautiful Arley Arboretum Over 300 trees, finest collection of Magnolias & Acers, Britain’s longest Laburnum arch Stunning Italian Garden, fountains & tea room Kids activity trails, forestry parties, maze & play area
arleyarboretum.co.uk
2018 ‘… the sheer love of music displayed by all the featured performers elevates this annual event above all others.’ Musical Opinion Quarterly
Navarra Quartet ∙ Nova Music Opera ∙ Ruby Hughes Kristīne Balanas ∙ Huw Watkins ∙ Joseph Tong Choir of Royal Holloway ∙ Rupert Gough James Turnbull ∙ Martin Butler ∙ Joanna Gutowska Festival Ensemble ∙ Festival Orchestra and much more...
for times, seasonal events & offers The Roger and Douglas Turner Charitable Trust. Registered No. 1154467
Peace & tranquility in beautiful surroundings
Discounted prices for groups
Telephone: 01981 500229 www.broburyhouse.co.uk enquiries@broburyhouse.co.uk
Bredwardine, Herefordshire, HR3 6BS
Free brochure available 01544 267800 | www.presteignefestival.com
Cider Museum Hereford
Open Mon-Sat 10.30-4.30 to tell the fascinating story of cider making. Adults £5.50, children £3 www.cidermuseum.co.uk 01432 354207 HR4 0EF
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20th Anniversary ... 24th & 25th November
Now in its 20th year !
Join us in the stunning setting of Ludlow’s very own Medieval Castle for this fantastic fun weekend with entertainment galore and a huge range of food, drink and shopping.
On Saturday, join knights, maidens, entertainers and stallholders from 10am onwards for the full range of entertainment, hands on activities and fantastic shopping. As the sun sets across the beautiful hills of South Shropshire, why not linger for the late night opening (until 9pm) as the castle comes alive for an evening of Medieval Revelry. On Sunday visitors can enjoy a day filled with Medieval festivities from 10am– 4pm.
On both days, visitors can explore over 100 stalls selling everything from seasonal wares to food and drink, crafts, historical goods and more. The Fayre offers the ideal chance to find the perfect original gift or indulge in a unique treat for yourself!
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Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre
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There’s a wide range of food and drink on offer to tickle your taste buds too, from mulled wine and cider, to roast chestnuts and pies or why not head over to our local Beer Tent for carol singing and traditional wassails to whet your appetite for our jam-packed entertainment programme. With everything from fighting knights and medieval music, jesters and juggling to our giant ten foot puppets, there’s entertainment all weekend!
Head across the moat to the Inner Bailey for storytelling, hands-on-history, demonstrations and activities as well as more food and drink! From St. Nicholas in his magical den to try-on armour, have-a-go activities and meeting birds of prey, there really is something for all ages to enjoy.
For the latest information and updates, visit www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk or find us on Facebook & Twitter
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A magnificent Jacobean half-timbered building in the heart of Hereford City, now a wonderfully preserved house, furnished in period style. Built in 1621 and home, in the past, to butchers, saddlers and bankers, explore the rooms which give a glimpse into daily life during the 17th Century.
You enter the Black and White House Museum through the shop, stocked with replica 17th Century goods inspired by the museum’s collection. Entering the museum you discover the history of Hereford City, then follow the stairs to the first floor dining room to experience how our civil war period ancestors dined. Keep on going past the children’s activity area and the stunning wall paintings to the top floor bedrooms, see the old tester bed, the baby walkers and cradles, and for the daring visitor, dress up and try out the replica beds !
The whole focus of the museum is firmly on the 17th Century and visitors can dress up and fully immerse themselves in the period. Enjoy the hands-on activities for children and look out for special family events.
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T HE B LACK AND W HITE H OUSE M USEUM
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If you would be interested in volunteering at the Black and White House Museum please email us at culturalvolunteering@herefordshire.gov.uk
Email: herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk Web: www.blackandwhitehouse.org Telephone 01432 260694 High Town, Hereford, HR1 2AA
Opening times: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm. Sunday 11.30am-2.30pm Museum shop.
Wheelchair access ground floor only
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H EREFORD M USEUM
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G ALLERY
Explore Herefordshire's history through thematic displays, including some spectacular objects such as the Kenchester mosaic, our two headed calf or the sturgeon. Don’t miss the Brian Hatton collection on display, exploring the work of this talented local artist who died young in WWI.
With lots of hands on activities for all the family, you will be guaranteed to learn something new whatever your age or interests.
www.herefordshire.gov.uk/museums Telephone: 01432 383383 herefordshiremuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk Admission is free
Access – lift at the back of the Library on the ground floor.
Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm Saturdays 10am – 12.30pm
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery is housed in a spectacular Victorian gothic building with displays of intriguing artefacts from the county’s collections. The Gallery has a programme of changing exhibitions.
The Museum and Art Gallery will be closed for a short period during the summer please check the website for up-to-date information.
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M USEUM R ESOURCE AND L EARNING C ENTRE The Museum Resource and Learning Centre is a state of the art storage facility which cares for the County's outstanding collections. Home to over 100,000 wonderful objects from costume and textiles, paintings and prints, decorative arts, geology, archaeology and social history, they are preserved in controlled conditions for current and future generations.
Workshops, school education sessions, displays and events for all ages are held throughout the year. You can book a group tour for a behindthe-scenes experience and discover some of Herefordshire’s rare treasures.
If you would like to come and see our collections and have a tour of our stores or for research please contact us to make an appointment. For more information, please contact:
58 Friars Street, Hereford, HR4 0AS Telephone 01432 383383 herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk www.herefordshire.gov.uk/museums Fully accessible. Disabled parking. Public car park nearby.
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HEREFORD CATHEDRAL Home of the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library
Whatever the weather, a warm welcome awaits all our visitors
www.herefordcathedral.org www.themappamundi.co.uk 01432 374200
Meet the Shropshire Mammoth! Local lunches, frothy coffees & Shropshire cream teas Gallery & Exhibition Family Friendly Events & Activities Explore the 30 acre Meadow beside the River Onny Training courses & workshops
Set in the village of Leintwardine, this country restaurant with rooms is the perfect place to enjoy a drink, dinner, or stay the night in an excellent location for exploration of Herefordshire, South Shropshire and the Welsh Marches.
The Lion, High Street, Leintwardine, Shropshire, SY7 0JZ T: 01547 540203
www.thelionleintwardine.co.uk
Elizabethan moated manor house with rare wall paintings and the largest series of Priests hides in the country.
Tea Room, Gift Shop & Walled Gardens
School Road, Craven Arms, Shropshire, SY7 9RS Tel: 01588 676060 @SH_DiscoveryCen Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
www.shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk the home of Grow Cook Learn Registered Charity Number: 1158795
Open Wednesdays-Sundays from March-October
Tel. 01562 777846 www.harvingtonhall.com Email : harvingtonhall@btconnect.com
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16 TH C ENTURY
PAINTED R OOM
Number 1 Church Street in Ledbury stands at the junction of the ‘Kings Highway’ with the east/west track, leading from Hereford Cathedral to Ledbury Parish Church, and has undoubtedly been the site of continuous human activity for more than 1,000 years.
In Elizabethan times Ledbury was a small town of approximately 650 people and the market and religious centre for some additional 880 rural parishioners. Yet despite having records for Ledbury going back to 1557 and beyond, for this building – unlike others around it- there is, as yet, no exact record of either its purpose or its inhabitants.
Ledbury Parish Church Archives tell us that in the late 15th or early 16th century, there may have been built here a new Booth Hall to replace the early 15th Century one sited where the Feather’s Hotel now stands. Ring dating carried out in 2007 shows that the market end of the
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building dates from 1510. Resident in the Booth Hall was the Town Constable who had responsibility for the proper conduct of markets and fairs, market toll gathering, control of vagrants, the distribution of poor law monies, with an upstairs room to be set aside for use as a court of Piepowder. This might account for the choice of texts in the Painted Room with their emphasis on good citizenship, duty and love.
Opening Times. March 11.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday 1st April to end of October 11.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (& Saturdays from Spring Bank Holiday to end September) Sundays (Spring Bank Holiday to end September) & Bank Holidays 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Admission Free, Donations Welcome Booked tours at other times (there is a small charge).
1 Church Street, Ledbury, HR8 1DH Telephone 01531 632306 Email: admin@ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk www.ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk
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A Victorian Revelation Hands-on and bursting with atmosphere! Open Mar – Oct Tues - Sun (& Bank Holidays) For winter opening see website Presteigne, Powys LD8 2AD | 01544 260650
www.judgeslodging.org.uk Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcestershire B47 6JX Close to M42 Junction 3
01564 826471 www.wythall.org.uk enquiries@wythall.org.uk
An extensive collection of buses and battery electric vehicles telling the story of public transport in the 20th century Ope ffrom Op Open fr fro 2 24 March 24t 24th Ma Mar Marc M tto 2 28th 28 Oc 28t Oct O Octo Octob Octobe October
Sa Saturday Saturda Saturd Satur Satu Sat & Sundays S Saturdays Su Sun Sund Sunda Sunday
plus Wednesday afternoons during school holidays Café, Shop, Kids “Kabin” activity and soft play area, picnic area, free parking 2018 Event Days with bus rides and ride-on miniature railway April 1st & 2nd May 6th, 7th, 27th, 28th June 17th, August 26th & 27th, October 14th & 27th Registered charity no 1167872
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W ATERWORKS M USEUM
The Waterworks Museum is a time capsule of working machinery and social history. Telling the fascinating story of drinking water supplies, ancient and modern, and much more besides, it offers something for visitors of all ages.
The range of engines and pumps operating on in-steam days is probably the widest in the UK. Most are rare and some are the last working examples of their kind, including the oldest working triple-expansion steam engine in Britain, which stands two-floors high and is quite awesome in operation.
with a yoke, work an old-fashioned well and take the part of a pony turning a capstan. Other activities include trails, timelines and a play-table and dressing-up box.
The museum is open with all engines from April to October on the second Sundays in the month and Bank Mondays (12.00-4.00pm with all operating from 1.00pm).
working and last Holiday engines
The museum prides itself on having engines in operating condition and these are run entirely by volunteers who always have time to talk to visitors and share their knowledge and enthusiasm. The museum is also home to the only permanent exhibition to Hereford in World War II.
There is plenty to occupy younger visitors. The Heritage Water Park is a safe area in which children can operate life size pumps, carry water
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Steampunk event
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The museum is also open every Tuesday throughout the year (11.00am - 4.00pm, with only powered engines working).
Housed in a Victorian water pumping station, the museum is located close to the River Wye and Hereford city Centre (follow the heritage signs from A49). It is fully accessible, offers free parking and picnic facilities and can provide light refreshments. Pre-arranged group visits can be booked throughout the year and the visitor centre can be hired for private meetings and community events. School visits are available free-of-charge (Tuesdays only).
Gala Day
Triple expansion steam engine
For more information and updates of special events held on in-steam open days (including new events for 2018) please see the museum website.
Car Rally
Waterworks Museum - Hereford Broomy Hill, Hereford, HR4 0LJ www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk 01432 361147 Twitter @WaterworkMuseum Hereford in WW2 exhibition
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T HE C IDER M USEUM
The Cider Museum is a social history museum housed in an original 1889 cidermaking factory. There’s far more to the building than first meets the eye, and no wonder – it’s designed to look at the whole cidermaking industry, from its earliest beginnings through to the mass production methods which exist today. Visitors can find out about methods– how the apples were milled and pressed and how the resulting juice was fermented to produce cider – and about Herefordshire’s history.
The original champagne cider cellars are very atmospheric, displaying over ten thousand bottles in racks where the “Methode Champagnoise” (a bottle fermentation process used in French Champagne production) was first applied to cider in 1905. Other parts of the cellars contain a cooper’s work-shop and a vat house.
accompanying vintage films. Two highlights of the collection are the rare English lead crystal cider glasses dating from 1740 onwards and stunningly accurate 19th century watercolours of cider apples and perry pears.
The museum has simple interactives for children and we like to see families visiting. Download the group booking form if you wish to have a guided tour and your party is over 12 guests. Visits to the shop and tearoom only are also welcome. We have been told we sell the biggest selection of craft ciders in the county!
Push-button oral history recordings of Bulmer’s workers are fascinating, and so too are the
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2018 Key Events Wed 16th May – International Cider and Perry Competition. This highly respected competition is open to cider and perry makers across the world. The tearoom is taken over by cider!
Wed 20th June – Herefordshire Walking Festival – a guided walk round the orchards of Letton and Woonton, ending at the Cider Museum. Cream tea and museum visit included.
Sat 20th Oct - Apple Day. A celebration of cider making and apples at the museum. Includes heritage craft displays, apple juice making, children’s activities, meet the cider makers and more.
For Spooky Halloween in the cellars, tutored cider tastings, talks and more, see our website for further details.
Opening times:
Monday-Saturday, 10.30am - 4.30pm Open Bank Holidays
www.cidermuseum.co.uk Pomona Place, Hereford, HR4 0EF Telephone: 01432 354207
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T HE J UDGE ’ S L ODGING
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explore, with kitchens, sleeping quarters and workrooms; a whole gaslit world to discover. The tour is finished by a trip to the vast echoing courtroom, where you are haunted by the echoes of trials long since concluded. You are guided through this Victorian world by an eavesdropping audiotour featuring the voice of actor Robert Hardy.
One of the w orld’s most appealin g small mu seums’ Dr John Davies, historian.
‘Truly inspirational’ is how HRH Prince of Wales described The Judge’s Lodging on a visit to this stunningly restored Victorian courthouse. Historic Royal Palaces Curator & historian, Lucy Worsley exclaimed ‘WHAT a stunning place!’ after filming for the BBC in the building and the Hudson's Heritage Awards hailed it as ‘Britain’s Best Hidden Gem’. You really do need to see for yourself what all the fuss is over this exceptional courthouse in the tiny Welsh border town of Presteigne.
The Judge’s Lodging has long had a reputation for liking the quirkier side of history, so a visit to the museum will treat you to all sorts of fascinating insights into Victorian living, from jelly-making and napkin folding to toilet habits and household maintenance hints. This awardwinning historic judge’s accommodation and court offers a most unusual journey back in time. Wander through the judge’s private apartments and make yourself at home, for The Judge’s Lodging an historic house with a difference – you can touch!
You can lie on the beds, read the judge’s books and even pump water in the kitchen. Below stairs there is the full range of servants’ rooms to
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There’s a host of special events and exhibitions to add to your entertainment. Every school holiday will come with exciting trails and activities to entertain the young, along with their own guidebook, full of facts about toilets, pants and things odd. Look out for special events and news throughout the year on the website, or follow on facebook.com/TheJudgesLodging
Two exhibitions will make a special year in 2018: “Circumstantial Evidence” will run from May to mid-August. This selling exhibition of ink and gouache studies by artist Simon Dorrell, in celebration of the twenty-first anniversary of the building’s restoration, sees these images juxtaposed with information on the lives of the
servants and their masters. For the first time, the museum will be displaying images of some of the ‘hidden’ parts of the building and what the servants left behind, including some fascinating graffiti from Victorian servants. From late August to the end of the year “Ladies of Llanandras” will celebrate strong females from Presteigne’s past and present, in recognition of the centenary of votes for women – midwives, teachers, shop-owners, publicans, community leaders - see how the women of the town have made it what it is today. There will be new local history spaces to explore too, where you can find out more about the area, or just relax with a cup of coffee and even a game of chess.
The Judge’s Lodging has also teamed up with the owner of Stapleton Castle, whose ruins occupy a commanding position over the town, to offer guided walks throughout the year. Tours last about an hour, taking in the 12th century castle
site, ruins of the later house, the mill site and a stroll through the gardens. There is no general public access to the site and tours are only by prior arrangement, but bookings can easily be made by calling the owner on 01544 267327, preferably giving 24 hours notice. They will try to suit your requirements. Your personal tours are £5 per person, with a minimum charge of £25. All proceeds from the tours will be donated equally to The Judge’s Lodging and the National Garden Scheme.
If you want more information on the castle walks, the museum and any of its activities, visit the website or just call the staff who are always happy to chat. Telephone 01544 260650 www.judgeslodging.org.uk
Photography by Dave Jones and Alex Ramsay. Painting of Lam Room by Simon Dorrell.
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T HE C OMMANDERY, WORCESTER
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T UDOR H OUSE , WORCESTER
For the visitor, Tudor House provides an exploration through time and into the forgotten stories of Worcester. You can learn about our connection to the Cadbury family, the once famous broadcloth trade, lost industries, the building’s role in World War II, Tudor life and the 17th Century Cross Keys Tavern.
Situated on Friar Street, the oldest and prettiest street in Worcester, the building dates from the mid 1500s and is a stunning example of Tudor architecture, little changed since those times, with original features still on show.
Visitors can discover the hidden histories of Worcester by visiting, chatting to our friendly room guides, taking part in a trail or attending one of our lively and varied events. We have a welcoming café with a range of teas, coffee and cakes. Tudor House is an independent, free to enter museum, run almost entirely by volunteers. Donations welcome! For more details, please visit the website where you can sign up for a regular e-newsletter. You can also follow on Facebook (/TudorHouseWorcester), Twitter (@TudorHouseWorcs) and Instagram (@tudorhouseworcs). WR1 2NA www.tudorhouse.org.uk Telephone 01905 612309
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The Commandery is a magnificent Grade I listed building in the heart of historic Worcester.
Encounter the past brought to life in a beautiful building with an 800 year history. Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651.
With an exciting programme of events bringing history to life, and fun family activities every school holiday, as well as its own gardens and the nearby Civil War themed play area on Fort Royal Hill, The Commandery is the perfect family day out.
Rally the troops and drop into Commandery Coffee, an independent coffee shop with delicious home-made food, artisan coffee and loose leaf teas.
Opening Times Tuesday to Saturday: 10am to 5pm Sunday: 1.30pm to 5pm Open February to December
Sidbury, Worcester WR1 2HU Phone: 01905 361821 www.museumsworcestershire.org.uk
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2 N PE O Broomy Hill, Hereford HR4 OLJ. Tel: 01432 357 236 www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk M A R C H / A P R I L
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(except 20th and 27th Dec) Pl Pla Play P ‘ L ‘n ‘n’ Le Lear Learn Lea H He Her Heri Herit Herita Heritag Heritage W P E tto Wat Wate Water Wa Pa o Par Park op ope open Ea Eas East Easte Easter O Oc Oct Octo Octob Octobe October P g Pr Pre PrePre-a Pre-ar Pre-arr Pre-arra Pre-arran Pre-arrang Pre-arrange Pre-arranged gr gro grou group v a v vis visi visit visits vi an s and sc sch scho schoo school vi vis visi visit visits w a we wel welc welco welcom welcome al y all ye yea year
MUSEUM OPEN 11am -4pm
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T RANSPORT M USEUM W YTHALL
The Transport Museum Wythall is situated near M42 junction 3, just to the south of Birmingham. It’s staffed entirely by volunteers and offers a friendly welcome to all visitors.
We’re open 11am-4.30pm from March 24th to October 28th every Saturday and Sunday, plus Wednesdays during school holidays (our event days open at 10.30). There are three large vehicle halls with over 90 buses from around the Midlands to see, plus a unique collection of electric milk floats and bread vans.
The kids can enjoy themselves in the 'Kids Kabin' activity and soft play area while mom and dad relax in the cafe and shop. There’s also a picnic area and free parking. A circular tour on a classic bus operates at 1pm and 2.30pm on Saturdays and Wednesdays during school holiday periods. Our museum is a hive of activity on main event days with visiting buses, sales stands and frequent bus rides plus a ride on miniature train for the kids.
Main event days in 2018: Easter Sunday/Monday 1st and 2nd April May Day Sunday/Monday 6th and 7th May Spring Bank Holiday Sunday/Monday 27th and 28th May Father’s Day Out Sunday 17th June August Bank Holiday Sunday/Monday 26th and 27th August Autumn Running Day Sunday 14th October We close with Twilight Running Day on Saturday 27th October, our season finale and part of the nationwide “Museums at Night” festival. We stay open until early evening so that visitors can enjoy the atmosphere of twilight bus rides Chapel Lane , Wythall B47 6JX See www.wythall.org.uk for more details.
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H OLST B IRTHPLACE M USEUM
Cheltenham’s Historic House A fascinating insight into the life of a great composer on four floors of period rooms.
Step inside and see the piano Holst used to compose The Planets. Discover how he developed into a world-class composer. Experience what life was like life ‘above and below stairs’ for his family through Regency and Victorian period rooms. Imagine yourself as a Victorian child, playing in the nursery. Lose yourself as you listen to the opening bars of Mars…
The museum has a lively events programme including children’s activities. There are also regular ‘Bake Back in Time’ events held in the Victorian kitchen where visitors can sample a range of vintage cakes and bakes. www.holstmuseum.org.uk 01242 524846 GL52 2AY
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The British Ironwork Centre is a family company passionate about the preservation and creation of imaginative metal sculpture & art in all its forms.
Among the stunning and varied collection of metalwork you will find beautifully decorative items large and small for the home and garden.
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B R IT I SH I RON WO RK CENTRE
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Some of the items are faithful reproductions of beautiful ironwork, no longer seen today, whilst many are new improved items for the home, as glamourous and individual as their originals, but with contemporary twists.
As well as this the Centre is home to a splendid collection of magnificent animal sculptures which feature within their iron safari. The indoor showrooms offer an abundance of irresistible home essentials, ornaments and decorations. Within the shop you can also explore the painstakingly sourced range of gifts, from locally crafted jewellery, to candles, artwork and truly unqiue designs made by artisans from across the country and the world. Telephone 0800 6888386 www.BritishIronWorkCentre.co.uk
2018 Events
13th May Plant Hunters’ Fair - Donations to Hope House Children’s Hospice 1st July Colour Run
15th July Transport Rally - Donations to Hope House Children’s Hospice
29th July Plant Hunters’ Fair - Donations to Hope House Children’s Hospice
15th September Wrexham Symphony Orchestra (Proms in the Park)
30th September Tug Of War - Donations to Hope House Children’s Hospice
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All Things Wild Nature Centre is an all-weather, year round family attraction, just a stones throw away from Stratford-upon-Avon, Evesham and the beautiful Cotswolds. With a zoo, dinosaur experience and 30 acres of indoor and outdoor space to explore, this little gem will keep the whole family entertained.
ZOO Come and wander around our zoo, where you’ll discover over 50 different species, including meerkats, lemurs, porcupines, squirrel monkeys, wallabies, capybara and more! You can even get up close to some in our walkthrough enclosures and animal handling sessions! It’s a must for all animal lovers!
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A LL T HINGS W ILD
STEP THROUGH TIME DINOSAUR EXPERIENCE The fun doesn’t stop there! All those dinosaur mad youngsters will love our Step Through Time Dinosaur Experience, where you can get up close to these amazing creatures of the past! Stand next to the mighty T-rex and friends, ride the Dino Land Train, search for bones in our Dino Dig or even jump aboard a real-life digger in Dino-Diggerland, you will not get bored! Also, be sure not to miss out on our educational Dino Barn, with a pre-historic seas section, dino section and ice age section, there’s so much to learn!
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THE BEST OF THE REST... With play areas throughout, including our Jungle Mayhem Soft Play Barn, Wild Fun Barn (which includes a mini soft play, ball pit, pedal tractors and indoor football), go-karts, wild golf, barefoot walk, adventure playground and indoor beach, you’ll be sure of a fun packed family day out. We also have trails where you can explore the park further and run a daily itinerary where you can get involved in some exciting activities.
AND RELAX... After all that, why not have some lovely refreshments from our newly refurbished café. Enjoy a wonderful home cooked meal or tasty cake and a coffee to recharge after all that excitement.
We open daily from 10am every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day!
For more details on this fantastic day out, please see our website www.allthingswild.co.uk, call 01386 833083 or follow us on Facebook or twitter. We can’t wait to see you all, so come an d go wild at All Thi ngs W i ld! Telephone 01386 833083 Station Road, Honeybourne Evesham, WR11 7QZ
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S EVERN VALLEY R AILWAY
Hear the whistle, feel the rumble of the steam engine under your feet and prepare to venture back in time for a journey of discovery. Climb into your cosy carriage and let our heritage steam locomotives take you on an exciting trip out along our 16-mile line, passing through the stunning scenery of the Severn Valley, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth.
Hop on and off to explore any of our six, beautifully-restored stations or head to our Engine House Visitor Centre at Highley – packed with a wealth of interactive exhibits. Try your hand at engine driving on the footplate of a real steam locomotive, sort the mail in our
travelling post office, see our King George VI Royal Carriage and meet the engine that collided with a camel! Enjoy a bite to eat at our on-site restaurant and let the kids burn-off energy on the outdoor adventure playground.
Our brand new refreshment room at Bridgnorth is due to open in summer too!
For a day out with a difference, head to any of our fantastic range of events. Fans of diesel locomotives will be in their element at the Spring Diesel Festival, featuring a star line-up of visiting and resident engines, from May 17th -19th.
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We’ll be embracing the wartime spirit with our hugely-popular Step Back to the 1940s Weekends, on June 30th-July 1st and July 7th – 8th.
Road-going transport is the star of the show at both Classic Vehicle Day on July 29th and On the Buses on September 2nd before the steam locomotives steal back the limelight at our Autumn Steam Gala, from September 20th 23rd.
Daring visitors can brave our Ghost Trains, running in late October, before our ever-popular Santa Steam Specials arrive with bells on during December.
Steam Trains run daily between May and October, and at weekends and in school holidays from February to December.
For more information about the SVR, its events and bookings, visit www.svr.co.uk, call 01562 757900 or see the Severn Valley Railway Official Site or Families pages on Facebook.
JINNEY RING CRAFT CENTRE
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The restaurant is also a quirky venue for private functions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings, for which the chefs create bespoke menus ranging from barbeque buffets to fine dining.
Plenty to see and do
A visit to the Jinney Ring Craft Centre in Hanbury is a retreat to the Worcestershire countryside and the home of twelve working crafts studios. The centre was founded over 35 years ago as a home for real life crafts, much like a step back in time as you experience the sights, scents and sounds of glassblowing, woodwork, pottery and more.
The centre makes for an interesting shopping trip as the artisans are all at work designing and making within their workshops, so they are filled with original handmade products. In addition the large gift shop features stylish decorative homeware, ladies’ clothing and accessories, a gallery of artists’ work and, new for 2018, a dedicated area for Worcestershire related antiques.
A warm welcome awaits you in the Farmhouse Restaurant which is full of charm and character with rustic beams and log fire. The chefs serve wholesome homemade lunches as well as an irresistible selection of puddings and cakes. At
the weekend you can also enjoy breakfast, cream teas and a Sunday carvery too.
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The Pottery Workshop
Finally within the centre’s grounds is a tranquil landscaped garden with ponds and the flock of resident ducks which greet visitors with glee! This idyllic setting is made complete with dramatic views across the fields towards the Malvern Hills. Humming Bird by Tim Roper Sculpture Trail 2017
Jinney Ring gardens Jigsaw Trees studio
EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS 2018 23rd March
24th and 25th March 2nd April 8th April
27th April
Jinney Ring Ducks
Telephone 01527 821272 www.jinneyring.co.uk Bromsgrove B60 4BU Pudding Night
Wedding Fayre Weekend
Beastly Monsters and Monstrous Beasts Theatre
Go Walkies for Guide Dogs
Bohemian Voices: Music and Poetry with Supper
22nd July
Animals R Magic Charity Day
30th September
Sky High Kite Fly Charity Day
September 2018
Sculpture Trail
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W ESTONS C IDER M ILL Westons Cider has been lovingly produced in the Herefordshire village of Much Marcle for nearly 140 years. The Mill is nestled on a hillside, right in the heart of the counties’ renowned apple and perry orchards. Come to this beautiful location and you’ll find the family’s 400-year-old farmhouse; “The Bounds”. This is the home where Henry Weston started the business all those years ago and the place to begin a unique and memorable day out.
Blossom time at the mill
Renowned for premium, traditional brands such as Stowford Press, Henry Weston Vintage, Old Rosie and innovative new ciders; Mortimer’s Orchard and Rosie’s Pig, Westons are a multiaward-winning, 5th generation producer.
Come and find out how the cider magic happens with a tour and tutored tasting experience. Walk through the courtyard and renovated farm buildings and you’ll find the Scrumpy House Restaurant, Orchard Tea Rooms and Cider Shop.
The Cider Shop
The Scrumpy House Restaurant is situated in a former cattle shed and serves up a slice of rustic charm and delicious food. Whether your group is large or small, the restaurant can offer the right package for your day as well as catering for any special, dietary requirements. To reserve a table or make an enquiry please call 01531 660626.
The Orchard Tearoom offers lighter snacks and hot and cold drinks, plenty of homemade cakes, pastries and sandwiches. Serving throughout the summer months and the place to go when only an ice cream will do!
Stop by the Shop for great offers and cider tastings, open 7 days a week. The daily guided mill tours give you the opportunity to gain a unique insight into the business, its heritage and
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Service at The Scrumpy House Children’s Play Park
traditions and our expert guides certainly know a thing or two about cider. (11.00am, 12.30pm, 2.00pm and 3.30pm, booking recommended, private tours also available).
Located nearby is the Westons farm, where sheep and a herd of Herefordshire cattle roam the surrounding hills. You’ll also find another four-legged friend at the mill: ‘Prince’, the resident shire horse and a part of Westons’ heritage. Tour packages are available. Please get in touch for more details: 01531 660108 or visit our website: www.westons-cider.co.uk
Westons Cider Orchards
The Bounds, Much Marcle, Ledbury, Herefordshire, HR8 2NQ Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Oak Vat House
Tom Putt apples for Westons Organic
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Westons Cider Events 2018: • April – Easter marks the opening of our children’s Play Park at the Cider Mill -see you there on Good Friday.
• May – The Big Apple’s Blossomtime event (6th/7th May) happens in the neighbouring village of Putley. Enjoy this beautiful celebration of Spring with a cider mill tour and a chance to try the new season’s vintage.
• June – Open Farm Sunday (10th June) – Be a part of this great British farming day celebrating our agricultural roots at Westons Cider. Do you have an athletic dad? Why not bring him to the Westons Cider Sportive happening on Father’s Day (17th June) or why not come and find us at this year’s Three Counties Show where we’ll be serving our award winning ciders over the weekend (15th-17th June).
• July – Make the most of our free Play Park and free parking at our Cider Mill during the summer holidays and don’t forget to grab an ice cream from our Orchard Tea Room.
• August – Escape the crowded beaches and head to our Cider Mill for the perfect summer’s day. Indulge in a cream tea or book for lunch, before taking a tour. Keep the kids entertained with our fun, free play park. Enjoy an ice cream or even a refreshing ice cold cider in the beautiful, sunny countryside.
• September – We’ll be back at the Malvern Autumn Show on 29th & 30th Sept at the Three Counties. We hope to see you there!
• October – It’s Harvest-time at the mill so keep your eye’s peeled for details of our popular harvest suppers. We’ll be taking part in Herefordshire’s Big Apple Weekend again, stop by the cider mill to celebrate this lovely time of year. • November – Get ready for Bonfire Night with a selection of ciders from our shop
• December – Don’t forget to book your Christmas celebrations at our Scrumpy House Restaurant and why not treat someone to a Westons gift voucher?
Morris Men on Big Apple Weekend
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4th generation family member, Henry Weston, in the orchards
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CALL 01531660108 FOR MORE INFORMATION MUCH MARCLE, LEDBURY, HEREFORDSHIRE, HR8 2NQ
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ENQUIRIES@WESTONS-CIDER.CO.UK
SO MUCH MORE IN EVERY DROP /WestonsCiderMill
@WestonsCiderMill
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