This June’s ESL Member Experience Day brought together tourism providers to meet and experience some of the fantastic visitor businesses to the east of Herefordshire around the Bromyard area.
As part of our series of Member Experience Days, the aim is to remind tourism enterprises of what is in the local area so that they can themselves can make recommendations to visitors. While it was ESL Member locations that were showcased, attendees that were non-ESL-Members were welcomed too.
Rowden Abbey
First stop Rowden Abbey, near Bredenbury, where we were welcomed by Manager Charlie, with tea and cake on the newly laid patio, to the side of this outstanding piece of 12C architecture. Set in 30 acres of private land, the views all around are breathtaking and the house has been restored keeping many of its original characteristics, including the wood panelling, stained glass windows, fireplaces and moulded ceilings. As we toured the 10 bedrooms, kitchen, sitting room, dining room, library and snug, available for group and corporate hire, taking in the history and ornate detail of each room from our extremely knowledgeable host, we imagined the next gathering here, where children and adults alike playfully enjoy the antiquity and atmosphere. The history of Rowden Abbey is growing all the time as the owners learn more and more about it from local historians, and it has also become an excellent performance venue.
For more information on how to book your group stay here, visit the website rowdenabbey.co.uk and for enquiries about a house tour and the associated history, contact Charlie on 07947 996051
Little Pomona Orchard & Cidery
Just a few miles down the road, along beautifully scenic countryside, we arrived at Little Pomona Orchard & Cidery. The minute you step in through the tasting room door, you are struck by the immaculate surroundings and the smell of cider. Brewer Lawrence and Owner James welcomed us with Champagne Cider, a brief history of how Little Pomona came about and a tour of their hand to bottle brewery. We learnt all about these very special and carefully crafted ciders and the local fruit, the techniques, traditional and modern, which facilitate the apples and pears being prepared in the most natural way possible. Followed by more tasting samples of various ciders and perry in the Cider Garden adorned with picnic benches, where we were treated to a ‘tasting and cheese matching’ tutorial. Before leaving we each perused the bottle shop, looking for the tasted favourites to purchase and take home.
If you would like to go behind the scenes of this famous cider, sessions are held monthly on a Saturday. Visit the website littlepomona.com for further details and dates and to purchase from the online shop click here.
Frome Valley Vineyard
On down the country lanes towards Bishops Frome and we drove into the beautiful courtyard of Frome Valley Vineyard, where owner, Jeanie welcomed us into the winery for an introduction, followed by a tour of the model vineyard. We learnt all about the different ways to grow vines, before venturing to the main vineyard, which overlooks the banks of the River Frome. It was incredible to see the tiny grapes starting to form, ready to produce this year’s crop. After a wonderful tour and fascinating insight into all the heritage wines produced here, it was back to the garden for tastings, but also to sample something especially bespoke, crafted by Jeanie in the form of English Brandy and the latest drink to bestow Frome Valley, Pelerin Cider, from the neighbouring orchard apples.
Book your tour and tasting for up to 20 people by visiting the website here fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk and to purchase from the online shop click here.
ESL would like to say a very special thank you to the above venues who’s time, commitment and welcome made this experience day so memorable and outstanding for those attending.
It is ESL’s mission to bring the tourism community together at every opportunity and we will continue to plan events like this in different parts of the county. ESL is not publicly funded, and it is the contributions of our loyal Member businesses that enable us to facilitate these types of experiences to the benefit of the wider tourism economy.
Read about previous Member Experience Days and Forums here:
Hereford City Experience | Lakes Edge | Brobury House & Gardens | Herefoodie Day
If you would like your business to become an ESL Member, please contact us on info@eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk and also find out all about ESL Membership here