h.Art (Herefordshire Art Week) runs from 3 – 11 September 2022 and TeamESL has highlighted some perfect places to eat and stay to make your tour around the County’s most talented creatives and enthralling venues a truly special break.
During h.Art Week, artists, craft-makers and creative businesses all open their private studios for this annual nine day trail. Galleries put on special events, whilst groups get together to put on one-off exhibitions, in a wonderful mix of interesting venues across Herefordshire.
Part of Herefordshire’s rich cultural calendar, h.Art Week promises the discovery of Herefordshire’s most talented creatives in one of the UK’s most beautiful counties and Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire’s insiders’ guide will help you plan your destinations to include some of the finest local restaurants and pubs, plus their pick of the best places to stay.
“Behind the hedgerows and down the lanes of hidden Herefordshire lie the most amazing artists and makers. From established groups and collectives to the emerging individuals, these often reserved creatives open their homes and studios, as well as the major venues hosting special exhibitions. h.Art week is an incredible vibrant and thought-provoking display of unique talents and we urge you to tour the county, stay over and combine that with wonderful food and drink while taking home something truly special that tells a story.”
Heidi Chamberlain-Jones , ESL MD
Here are a few examples of combining your visit
North Herefordshire
h.Art Venues – Old Chapel Gallery, HR6 9HB, Sidney Nolan Trust LD8 2LL
Old Chapel Gallery sources the best in handmade British contemporary fine arts & crafts, made by both emerging and established artists and makers. This year’s autumn exhibition will feature paintings, stained glass, original prints, etchings, jewellery, textile art, ceramic sculpture and needle felt. Work by Karin Celestine, Lynda Jones, Anna Ravenscroft, Jemima Jameson, Rachel Wright, Sue Hayden, Rachel Bailey, Karen Pearce and Ali Tregaskes will all be on display during h.Art week.
Sydney Nolan Trust In partnership with Aboriginal Art UK, the Trust is delighted to present a major exhibition of Australian Indigenous artworks at The Rodd. The exhibition, To Give with Love: will feature artworks by some of Australia’s most established artists and communities as well as up and coming indigenous artists, including Gadigal artist Kate Constantine and Wiradjuri-British artist Jasmine Coe.
Where to eat nearby – The Riverside Inn at Aymestrey, HR6 9ST
The beautiful Riverside Inn at Aymestrey is more than just an idyllic waterside place to stop for a locally sourced pint. This 16th century black and white pub is a Slow Food UK award-winning restaurant using fresh produce from its kitchen garden to create a delicious Marches menu, and their new garden lodges add beautifully to their existing B&B rooms.
Where to stay nearby – Lowe Farm B&B, HR6 9JD, Luntley Court Farm Cottages HR6 9EH , Mistletoe Cottage HR3 6NY, Wall End Farm HR6 9DE
Regularly earning accolades for eco credentials, delicious breakfasts and exceptional reviews Lowe Farm B&B is a charming 600 year old characterful property. Again on Herefordshire’s Black & White Village Trail, Luntley Court Farm Cottages offer stylish self catering barn conversions in stunning countryside and similarly Mistletoe Cottage presents uniquely and carefully designed rural accommodation complete with shepherd’s hut and firepit. Peaceful Wall End Farm’s Hayloft studio apartment brings designer decoration to existing features and the newly converted Hop Barn has a wonderful al fresco dining/party space.
Hereford City
h.Art Venues – Veronika Lavey HR1 1HS , The Green Dragon Hotel HR4 9BG , Cup Ceramics HR1 2SF
Veronika’s home studio showcases her self-portrait style with thought-provoking messages, while the Green Dragon will present Herefordshire Art and Craft Society (HACS); a well-established community of 22 artists and craftspeople, founded in 1922 and now celebrating their Centenary Year. Or visit the friendly, spacious studio of Cup Ceramics to see the creations of their 12 in-house makers alongside their handy cafe.
Where to eat nearby – Saxtys, HR4 9EA, The Beefy Boys , The Burger Shop/The Bookshop/The Yard HR4 0BU .
Saxtys is much-loved for its wine and champagne-bar vibe, complimented by the rum garden terrace , tapas menu and excellent Sunday roast. If you love an award-winning burger you are spoilt for choice between the The Beefy Boys and their ever-expanding meat boutique, or A Rule of Tum’s Burger Shop directly next to their urban eatery The Bookshop and their al fresco space The Yard.
Where to stay nearby – Charades B&B HR1 2TJ, Somerville House HR1 2TS, Castle House HR1 2NW
For a comfortable night’s sleep in a leafy residential street, look no further than beautiful Victorian Charades B&B. Built in 1877, the impressive villa is located just ten minutes walk from the city centre in a quiet conservation area. Or only a few doors down is larger 5 star guest house Somerville House, with 11 ensuite rooms, fabulous City views and both these properties are within walking distance of some of h.art venues. For a truly central location Castle House Hotel will give you a boutique experience , just a stone’s throw from Hereford Cathedral and other City sights.
East Herefordshire
h.Art Venue – Canwood Gallery HR1 4NF, Eastnor Pottery HR8 1RD, Dragon Orchard HR8 2RG, Rowden Abbey HR7 4LS
The art gallery and sculpture garden of Canwood Gallery donates its profits to St Barts Medical research from its inspiring countryside location. On display during h.Art week will be ‘Traces’ by Matt Rees and Verity Howard, both local artists who use the rural landscape and local environment as inspiration for their work. Amongst the cider trees Dragon Orchard will be exhibiting the work of 3 artists; Hannah Day – Ceramics, Elaine Fowke – Paintings, and Cheryl Hewitt – Textiles with teas and coffees available and art activities for children and adults. Recognised as one of the country’s leading suppliers of pottery courses, classes and educational experiences Eastnor Pottery embraces H-art as an ideal opportunity to peruse and purchase contemporary ceramics, made by the founders and individual studio potters, Sarah Monk and Jon Williams.
The Herefordshire Guild of Craftsmen are to exhibit their fine work in the beautiful surroundings of Rowden Abbey, a superb grade two listed building rich in black and white elevations. Those Guild members taking part are Carolyn Morgan [stain glass], Jo McCulloch [The Felted Sheep company], Ken Gilbert [woodturner], Becci Meakins & Rich Hamblin [fused and slump glass designs], Emma Baker Jones [leatherwork], Jennifer Chance[illustrator], Alison Payne & Antony Halls [original resin creations], Janis Waldron [jeweller].
Where to eat nearby – The Crown Inn HR1 4QP, The Scrumpy House at Westons Cider Mill HR8 2NQ
The Crown Inn at Woolhope has repeatedly been voted Cider Pub of The Year and prides itself on locally sourced, seasonal food and drink at the heart of this pretty village. On the site of famous cidermakers Westons, The Scrumpy House is situated in a former cattle shed that offers plenty of rustic charm with a true taste of Herefordshire and their wonderful cidershop right next door.
Where to stay nearby – The Crown Inn’s self catering holiday cottage, Holly Lodge HR1 3QS, The Steppes HR1 4AL
If you are a group of culture lovers, why not stay in The Crown Inn’s convenient holiday cottage sleeping 14 people, Holly Lodge’s self contained charm at Burley Gate is ideal for a family and great to access more h.art venues, and the garden room lodges of The Steppes will inspire your creative juices while also being only 3 miles from Hereford City.
West Herefordshire
h.Art venue – Cabalva Ceramics, HR3 6E
Cabalva Ceramics is a working pottery studio located in a pretty walled kitchen garden in Whitney-on-Wye. They will be exhibiting a wide variety of ceramics, including work from an innovative charcoal kiln, decorative earthenware, stoneware, porcelain and sculptural pieces.
During h.Art week they will also be doing Raku, Nerikomi, wheel throwing and reduction firings. Refreshments and seasonal produce from the kitchen garden will also be available.
Where to eat nearby – Chapters, HR3 5AA
Open four evenings a week with seasonally changing set menus, Chapters offer modern British dining in stylish surroundings, nestled in the pretty literary town of Hay-on-Wye. The kitchen at Chapters is proud of its sustainability journey, and was recently awarded one of only nine Michelin Green Star awards for sustainable gastronomy in 2022.
Where to stay nearby – By The Wye, HR3 5RS
By The Wye is a breath-taking glamping experience nestled in the treetops on the edge of Hay-on-Wye. These unique, luxury safari tents include en suites, wood burners and private decks overlooking the woodland canopy and River Wye. Perfectly located for walks with your dog along two national trails, the Offa’s Dyke path and the Wye Valley trail, plus close to the town of Hay-on-Wye, packed full of charming cafes, pubs and shops.
South Herefordshire
h.art venue: Made in Ross HR9 5NX
Located upstairs at the historic Market House in the centre of Ross-on-Wye, Made in Ross is collective of 13 local artists exhibiting an eclectic mixture of work including painting, textiles, jewellery, woodcraft, ceramics and glass art. The gallery is open 7 days a week, all year round and has a constantly changing display of artists work.
Where to eat nearby – The New Inn HR2 8LQ
Originally a 16th-Century coaching inn, The New Inn celebrates the rich farming heritage of rural Herefordshire. The menu is inspired by local flavours, using seasonal ingredients from local producers. Inside, the pub exudes warmth, with roaring fires, cosy booths and lots of original features, creating a stylish yet relaxed environment.
Where to stay nearby – Wythall Estate cottages HR9 5SD, The Hostelrie HR9 6HX
Of course you can stay in the luxury rooms of The New Inn and simply roll up to bed after supper, but other nearby options include the medieval characterful cottages attached to the incredible manor house at Wythall Estate Vineyard where you can also do a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Or another charming dining and B&B stay combination is The Hostelrie in picturesque Goodrich in the heart of the Wye Valley.
Find out more about h.Art week here and explore our ESL website for further details about the best places to eat, drink and stay in Herefordshire