Golden Valley
At the foot of the Black Mountains in the south east of Herefordshire, the picturesque valley of the River Dore is thought to have become known as the Golden Valley due to Norman confusion with the word Dore (or the Welsh word for water, dwr) and French for gold, d’or. Whether by default or by design, it seems a fitting name for an area of such enchanting natural beauty.
Here, we like to feel that its name depicts its continuous vibrant golden colour through the seasons; the yellow of the hoards of wild daffodils in spring, the vast waving fields of wheat or rape in the summer and the burnished leaves of autumn.
This truly is an area with the midas touch for visitors, especially walkers and many of the pubs have rooms that welcome the odd muddy boot.
Meet local artisan producers that reside in the area like award-winning Ty Gwyn Cider with their free tours and tastings and their brand new unique B&B’s as seen on the BBC.
Delicious Rowlestone Icecream can be eaten onsite at their farm and camping site.
There’s lots to do in the area too; how about Axe Throwing or Archery? Just a couple of the many activities at Battlelands. Stay on the farm at Home Farm Dulas, whether its B&B, Self-Catering in the tastefully furnished Barn (sleeping up to 8) or go off grid in a quirky Yurt.
Scroll down for more lovely places to stay and come and discover this most beautiful Herefordshire area.
The main villages are Ewyas Harold, Dorestone, Peterchurch and Abbeydore and the area has inspired writers and been a setting for films like Shadow Lands, Lewis Caroll’s Alice in Wonderland who’s brother was Vicar at hamlet Vowchurch. CS Lewis used Authurs Stone, part of a Neolithic tomb at Dorstone and Herefordshire’s oldest manmande structure, as inspiration for the stone table where Aslan was sacrificed in The Chronicles of Narnia. From fiction to fact the iconic Dore Abbey was founded by Cistercian Monks from Morimond in France in 1147. Now it is a serene venue for music and an attractive destination for visitors wishing to connect with the history of the area (see more information on visiting Dore Abbey below). Golden Valley really is a precious part of Herefordshire. See more lovely photos of the Golden Valley
USEFUL INFORMATION
USEFUL INFORMATIONForest of Dean and Wye Valley Tourist Information Centre
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