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Gorgeous Gardens!

Spring is arguably the best time of year to visit Herefordshire and the Borders if you’re a lover of gardens and the great outdoors.

The great outdoors

As well as boasting some of the loveliest countryside and most stunning landscapes in the UK, Herefordshire and the Welsh borders are also home to the most beautiful gardens and stately homes you’re likely to find anywhere.

Choose from woodland walks to formal gardens, riverside rambles to more taxing hill climbs – and round off your day in the great outdoors with a traditional cream tea or lunch by a roaring log fire.

Here are just a few suggestions of places you might like to visit during your stay at Winforton Court. This is intended as a guide only and we suggest that you please check with venues for opening days and times.

Hergest Croft Gardens, Kington

Lying in the heart of the Welsh Marches with stunning views towards the Black Mountains, these gardens just 7 miles away features an old-fashioned kitchen garden a stunning Azalea Garden and Maple Grove, as well as the beautifully tranquil Park Wood. With its gift shop and traditional tearooms overlooking the gardens, this is the perfect place to explore and relax.

Heregst Croft is hosting a Flower Fair on May 3, in aid of the local St Michael’s Hospice, when there will be a wide range of unusual plants for sale.

More information at www.hergest.co.uk

Hampton Court Gardens

Hampton Court near Leominster, about 15 miles away, is a late medieval castle surrounded by magnificent gardens and 1000 acres of parkland. The castle and gardens have a rich and fascinating history, and today water canals, island pavilions, avenues and borders compliment the established planting of earlier eras. Visitors can sample delicious garden produce in the Orangery café and visit the Gift shop to buy gifts and crafts by local artists, and plants grown on site.

On Saturday March 13 in association with Herefordshire Reading Group, the author Catherine Beale will give an illustrated talk about the Arkwright family of Hampton Court, as depicted in her new book Champagne and Shambles.

If you’re planning an Easter visit to the area, Hampton Court’s festivities for the Easter weekend (Friday 2 – Sunday 4 April) will include an Easter Trail, Arts and Crafts and the launch of the new season’s menu at the Orangery Café.

More information at www.hamptoncourt.org.uk

Berrington Hall Garden

The National Trust-owned Berrington Hall sits in majestic parkland and classic Capability Brown gardens. The one-mile parkland walk will take you to the best vantage points and show the landscape as it would have appeared when originally laid out. The Victorian pleasure gardens house an avenue of golden yews and laurel walks, and in the walled garden you,ll discover a small orchard with apple trees dating pre-1900, old pear, quinces and medlars.

Created as the perfect house in the perfect setting, Berrington Hall has many secrets for visitors to uncover. Visitors can explore the family rooms and see how the servants moved around the house unseen by the family and guests.

More information at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Wildlife watching

Bird-lovers of all ages shouldn’t miss the chance to visit the Red Kite Feeding Station at Llanddeusant, in the Brecon Beacons National Park. It attracts over 50 Red Kites and Buzzards every day in a spectacular aerial display, making this an exciting bird watching experience. A purpose-built hide caters for over 20 people at a time and means the birds come close enough so that binoculars are not required.

More information at www.redkiteswales.co.uk

There’s also the Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre at Kington, which is open every day of the year apart from Christmas Day. This is a magical place to experience animals, birds and owls at close quarters – from Kune Kune Pigs, mischevious Pygmy Goats, Dexter Cattle, Soay Sheep and Alpacas to miniature horses and donkeys, chipmunks and pet animals. The owl garden features all of Britain’s native owls as well as examples from around the world.

Visit early in the season for the chance to observe young owls being hand-reared. More information at www.owlcentre.com

Arts and Crafts

Art lovers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to art and craft galleries in Herefordshire and the borders. A few of our favourites include The Old Chapel Gallery in Pembridge – based, as its name suggests, in a lovely Victorian chapel building and featuring studio glass and ceramics, cast bronze, jewellery, sculpture and original paintings.

More information at www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk

In Leominster there’s the Lion Gallery in Broad Street, with contemporary craftwork and fine art from both Herefordshire and around the British Isles.

More information at www.liongallery.com

Hay on Wye has the Hay Makers, a co-operative of professional designer-makers. Founded in the 1980s, the gallery has gained a reputation for an exciting selection of high quality crafts covering many disciplines. It has exhibitions throughout the year showing the work of some of the finest contemporary British makers.

More information at www.haymakers.co.uk

Over in Ross on Wye’s High Street you’ll find the Parkfields Gallery, featuring displays of textiles, glass, furniture and lighting as well as original paintings and prints.

More information at www.parkfieldsgallery.co.uk

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