Hereford is a Cathedral City with the relaxed atmosphere of a country market town. Its origin dates back to Saxon times and today visitors delight in the harmony of a rich heritage and modern facilities. The shopping facilities are excellent and no visit would be complete without a trip to the Cathedral. You'll find two of Britain's most important treasures: the Medieval Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library. Visit, and enjoy the beautiful countryside, the black and white villages and the bustling market towns.
Officially designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty the Wye Valley combines a unique blend of Welsh and English influences. A place of breathtaking natural scenery and the birthplace of British tourism, the Wye Valley has enthralled discerning visitors since the 18th Century. At its heart is the town of Ross on Wye which sits on the river. Ross is a lovely town with a mixture of Tudor timbered houses, more modern architecture and an impressive 17th century Market Hall which host a market twice a week. It really is picture postcard material.
Symonds Yat is a village within the Forest of Dean and a popular tourist destination straddling the River Wye on the county border of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire in England. Hand-pulled ferry over the River Wye at Symonds Yat.
Symonds Yat West is on the Herefordshire side of the river and Symonds Yat East is on the Gloucestershire side. The only connection between the two banks is by two ancient hand ("pull") ferries by which for a small fee the ferryman pulls people across the river using an overhead rope. The only connection by road is upstream over Huntsham bridge; this is a five mile trip.
The area is famous for Symonds Yat Rock which is a scenic viewpoint towering 120 metres (394 feet) above the river on the Gloucestershire side. From this viewpoint it is possible, between April and August, to witness peregrine falcons nesting on the cliff side. The river is also popular with canoeists and people fishing.
Situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the most rural diocese in England, this is a lively and forward-looking group of parishes.
The village has a shop and post office which is happy to organise groceries for collection upon arrival.
Village website : www.stw.org.uk
Goodrich stands majestically on a wooded hill commanding the passage of the River Wye into the picturesque valley of Symonds Yat. This splendid red sandstone castle springs from living rock high above an empty moat. Walk along the curtain walls, climb the towers, and peer through arrow slits and murder holes. There is a well preserved chapel and inner Hall.
Superb views across the Wye Valley to Symonds Yat. An audio tour brings alive the castle's turbulent history. There is also a cafe and shop on site. Goodrich is 7 miles from St Weonards.
Remains of impressive fifteenth-century castle built by Sir William ap Thomas and his son William Herbert, remodelled by William Somerset, third earl of Worcester, 1549-89. Despite demolition attempts during the Civil War, much of the hexagonal-shaped Great Tower and lavish suites of state apartments still survive.
There is a new visitor centre at Raglan which opened during July 2007. easy parking, toilets, picnic area, guidebook available, on-site shop, site exhibition and a children's play area.
The ruins of Tintern Abbey lie between the River Wye and the A466 road at the southern end of Tintern village. It is one of the most spectacular ruins in the country. The site is beautiful, with the tidal river frequently changing from a very low flow during summer low tides to a raging torrent when winter floods add to the high tides surging up the Bristol Channel. Tintern Abbey was originally founded by Cistercian monks in 1131 AD. in the reign of Henry I. Between 1270 and 1301 the Abbey was rebuilt and by the end of the rebuilding, around four hundred monks lived in the complex.
Elgar, Malvern’s famous composer, who lived in Malvern Wells, is buried just a mile from The Dell House at St Wulstan’s Church. The Elgar Museum is at Lower Broadheath. The Elgar Route takes you on a picturesque journey across the Malvern Hills area.
The picture shows the Enigma Fountain's life size bronze statue of Elgar at the July "Malvern In Bloom" festival.
http://www.elgarfoundation.org/
Be delighted by this picturesque, thriving, market town just forty minutes away in rural Herefordshire, England, the picture shows the medieval market hall. Ledbury town is a fantastic mix of shops and attractions with some great places to eat out. You can visit the old school house museum, the smallest house in Ledbury and also the Chocolaterie.
http://www.ledburyonline.co.uk/
