Herefordshire - the Green County

Herefordshire, England's most rural county, is a county of unspoilt countryside, rich red soil, bountiful farmland, wooded hills and meandering river valleys leading to distinctive Market towns, quaint villages, gardens, churches, history and beauty at every bend in the road.

Hereford lies in the West Midlands, bordered by the breathtaking Black Mountains to the west, to the north the Clee Hills forms a natural boundary to Shropshire, in the East the majestic Malverns forms our border with Worcester and the Wye and Severn rivers our the borders to the South and Gloucestershire.

The County town of Hereford is the home for a fine sandstone Cathedral which houses an exhibition containing the Mappa Mundi, the famous medieval map of the world and the unique Chained Library with manuscript dating back to the eight century and an early copy of the Magna Carter. The city dates back to Saxon times and parts of the city wall and early Castle is still visible.

The market towns of Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, Leominster and Kington, are so different, hold annual festivals from Poetry to Steam Fares and warmly welcome visitors throughout the seasons.The Black and White village trail takes you through wonderful countryside visiting villages with Tudor origins, winding streets, village pubs, market squares and treasured churches.

The gardens of Herefordshire are a treat, Hampton Court is the largest, two huge red bricked walled gardens, first a vegetable garden, a riot of colour, then water features, canals, rose beds linked with a maze and sensational wisteria walk way. Stoktonbury near Leominster is a delight, Abbeydore lies by the Dore River, so many, just waiting for you plus village open gardens through the summer and the wonderful National Gardens.

Fine churches and castles doted around the County, Dore Abbey set below the Black Mountains, Kilpeck, a Norman gem, Brockhampton a riot of Arts and Crafts, Shobdon, a breathtaking sea of blue and white icing!Goodrich castle surveys the Wye, Grosmont, Skenthrith and White Castle form a triangle to expel the Welsh or English depending on the storyteller.

The County is a showcase for many craftsmen, art and craft galleries in each Market town, displays at the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford and each September, during H-Art, local craftsmen open their homes to show their crafts. The whole county is just GREEN, we are so proud of the food produced and served; the Flavours of Herefordshire is one of the very first to recognise the importance of fresh local produce.

Award winning establishments will offer you great meals using local produce.Tourism business is now actively taking part in the Green Tourism awards, from recycling, saving energy and preserving and encouraging wild life in gardens.

There is plenty to do from walking the Offa's Dyke to sampling local Cider and Perry or just enjoying the more leisurely way of life breathing in pure country air and recharging flat batteries!. Why not stay here for a while . . . . ?!

Photo above: Apple Bough and Cider Press Cottages

Jennie Layton, Grafton Villa©

Grafton Villa is listed in Cottage Holidays

Pembrokeshire - where traffic jams are rare!

Haroldston Farmhouse is centrally placed to easily access the whole of Pembrokeshire, which must surely be one of the most beautiful and varied counties in Britain.

The coastline is rugged and imposing and is accessible along almost its whole length via the 187 mile long coastal path. This provides unforgettable walking on what many believe is one of the World's premier long distance routes.

Throughout the year but particularly during the season, the Pembrokeshire Coastal Bus Service runs a series of shuttles, collecting hikers from the end of their walks and returning them to their cars (or vice Versa).

Alternatively, there are many mapped out circular walks.There are numerous clean and beautiful sandy beaches, many of which remain peaceful, even in high season. Marloes Sands is totally unspoilt and must be one of the loveliest anywhere, yet is only 12 miles from Haroldston.The coast is dotted with havens of all kinds, from the picturesque little harbour at Solva to the busy industrial port at Milford Haven.Regular ferries to Ireland are available at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. The crossing to Rosslare is inexpensive and takes only 4 hours, so a day trip is both practical and economical.

For those looking to be entertained, top class attractions such as Oakwood and Folly Farm are close by. The county is full of quaint and traditional pubs, many of which enjoy romantic coastal locations.For the bird-watching fraternity, regular boat trips are available to Pembrokeshire  s island reserves, most notably, Skomer, Ramsey and Caldey. In the spring and early summer, the islands are worth a visit for the enchanting puffins alone.

Turning inland, the Preseli Hills contains a feast of beauty spots and wide vistas, from sweeping moorlands, to exquisite valleys; from mysterious forests to sparkling lakes. Even here, there is plenty for the historian. The stone circle at Pentre Ifan is constructed from the same locally quarried stone as Stonehenge.

Driving in Pembrokeshire is a really pleasurable experience, particularly for those harassed commuters who are only too familiar with grid-locked roads. Even in high season, traffic jams are rare and any minor queue disperses quickly."
Martin Low Haroldston Farmhouse ©

Haroldston Farmhouse is listed in Cottage Holidays

Devon - Romantic Isolation

South Hams - South Devon

The South Hams is a relatively unknown part of Devon that has remained one of the quietest parts of the South Devon coast. Yet it is fabulous walking country, with a string of beautiful beaches all sporting top awards. If you are looking for quiet beaches & coves, hidden haunts and romantic isolation, then look no further.


Much of the coast is owned by the National Trust and is sprinkled with small rivers and estuaries, many with a maze of tidal inlets fed by small streams. Beaches that must be visited include the beautiful Blackpool Sands beach, near Dartmouth and Bigbury-on-Sea with its famous sea-tractor over the causeway to Burgh Island and Agatha Christie connections (Evil under the Sun was written while she stayed at the hotel and was based on the island).

If surfing is more your style, then go to Bantham beach, just across the river from Bigbury, which is the best surfing beach in South Devon.Just a bit further west along the coast and you will have views across the Plymouth Sound. With the Naval dockyards based here, your view across the Sound will inevitably be enlivened by warships at anchor or on the move, with the huge breakwater on the horizon.

If you want a bit more civilisation, then there are the nearby towns of Kingsbridge, Dartmouth and Salcombe to explore. Kingsbridge is at the head of the estuary and is generally thought of as the  capital  of the South Hams. It is a lovely town with many interesting shops, pubs, cafes and even a cinema!

Dartmouth is made up of a mesh of narrow lanes, stairways and corridors, with plenty of Elizabethan streetscapes, making it is must-see for anyone visiting this part of Devon. The town has a reputation for good food, antiques and local arts & crafts. The natural deep water harbour has been the driving force behind the town's history as a port and military centre. The magnificent Britannia Naval College sits up the hill overlooking the town, and is now open to the public, while Dartmouth Castle protects the mouth to the estuary.

Salcombe is a beautiful place, with tiny streets, interesting shops and pubs and many large yachts moored in the estuary to admire!The cottages at Carswell Farm Cottages are dotted around our working organic dairy farm, set in unspoilt countryside on the stunning South Devon coast. The cottages are just a few minutes walk from the coast and are ideally situated to explore this beautiful part of Devon.
Katherine Harding, Carswell Farm Cottages©

Welcombe North Devon/Cornwall

Don’t tell a soul!

Welcombe is a little known jewel in Devon, a county renowned for its treasures. The village is a truly rural retreat on the North Coast sitting right on the Devon/ Cornwall border.

It is set in the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty and the Marsland Valley is an SSSI (site of special scientific interest). When you visit this unspoiled village you will understand why it has achieved these accolades as the scenery and wildlife are exceptional. Over 70 different species of birds have been recorded in a 3km radius of Berry Park, which is the accommodation most people chose when staying in Welcombe.

There is a wealth of footpaths through the wooded valleys and along the cliff tops so there is plenty of opportunity to appreciate the wild flowers which are in such profusion especially in the springtime. The rugged beach has recently been acquired by the National Trust and is a favourite spot for surfing, rock pooling and building sandcastles at low tide.

Despite its rural setting the village has a thatched real ale pub which serves excellent food so there is a choice of places to eat out as Berry Park also has a small restaurant for residents.

There is a well stocked community village shop run by volunteers. Welcombe’s location makes it ideal for exploring both counties and local attractions include the picturesque village of Clovelly, RHS gardens at Rosemoor, the sandy North Cornwall beaches, “The Big Sheep” and “The Milky Way”.

The Eden Project is only an hour and a quarter’s drive away. Trips to the island of Lundy on the Jessica Hettie can also arranged by Mike & Val, your hosts at Berry Park.
Val Jenner, Berry Park©
Listed in Cottage Holidays