The annual Herefordshire Art Week kicks off 7-15 September and you’ll need more than a day trip to take in the incredible amount of acclaimed and emerging artistic talent that opens its secret doors in every hidden hedgerow and lane around the county.
So we’ve curated some great places to stay in the vicinity of some of h.Art’s larger venues so you can tour an area with plenty of creative variety.
HEREFORD CITY
Spend a few days in historic Hereford not only taking in the arts but the city’s fascinating history and culture too. Book an hour’s city walking tour and visit Hereford Cathedral while you’re here.
Collective Artists: A plethora of talent will be showcasing at The Green Dragon Hotel and various other city centre locations (See a map here).
Make a break of it at: The 83 bedroom Green Dragon Hotel itself, or the boutique Regency waterside elegance of Castle House Hotel; two wonderfully central hotels allowing you to stroll various h.Art venues and take in the City sights. If you’re coming by train, 5 Star guest house Somerville House is only a short walk with elevated city views.
HEREFORD CITY EDGES (within 5 miles)
Collective Artists: At Warehouse 701 reclamation yard, homeware, gifts and café at Rotherwas, and Affordable Garden Art at Canwood Gallery in Checkley.
Make a break of it at: Sink Green Farm Bed & Breakfast moments away from 701, with beautiful river walks and farmland. The self catering garden lodges of The Steppes in Lugwardine village continue your peaceful art tour vibe, and Lucksall camping and caravan park in Mordiford are both ideal to visit Checkley.
LEDBURY & AREA
Collective Artists: Eastnor Pottery, The Nest at Little Verzons Farm.
Make a break of it at: Barton Court’s choice of self catering holiday home for 2-6 people, convenient to see more artists showcasing in the Colwall area near Malvern. The grand range of Eastnor Castle Properties dotted around the vast estate are in range of several artists in the Eastnor and Malvern and Bromesberrow area. For unique yurts, glamping pods or traditional camping to visit the Ledbury area you’ll love the orchard canvases at Dragon Orchard, Raycombe Farm, and more traditional Hereford Camping & Caravanning. Cwtch Cabins at Much Marcle will add a little Harry Potter magic and in contrast the contemporary interior of nearby Stone Cottage is a sleek snuggle for two. See more artists venues here
ROSS ON WYE & AREA
The gateway to the Wye Valley is awash with creativity.
Collective Artists: The Laskett Gardens, and Made in Ross. See more art locations here.
Make a break of it at: With several art venues also around these villages (see more here), The Bowens B&B in Fownhope and brand new self catering Tawny Cottage in How Caple are handy stays. Mix in a vineyard tour when you stay in the holiday lets at Wythall Estate, and Thatch Close Cottages are useful for the rural Ross artists venues. For a luxury stay with restaurant too The New Inn at St Owens Cross is a winner, and the B&B rooms at Orles Barn, within walking distance of Ross town itself keep you central.
If you’re travelling from the south, a Wye Valley stopover will add to the fun. We recommend Tudor Farmhouse Hotel in pretty Clearwell.
HAY ON WYE & GOLDEN VALLEY
Herefordshire’s picturesque Golden Valley is a beautiful rural neighbour to Hay-on-Wye and, as well as the locations below, there are many h.Art artists throwing open their doors dotted around. See more art venues here.
Collective Artists: Hay Castle, Ewyas Harold Craft Centre.
Make a break of it at: Bowley B&B brings a traditional farmhouse stay, and Ty Gwyn Holidays and The Granary at Gwatkin Red Cow both have authentic cider experiences alongside them from these artisan producers. In the Black Mountains, self catering Bridge Farmhouse has the exciting Black Mountains Botanicals distillery and gin school right next door to roll to and from, and the incredible hybrid yurt/cabin at Kaya at Blackhill is a special adults-only retreat.
LEOMINSTER & NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE
Taking in Herefordshire’s famous Black & White Villages and as far North as Mortimer Country nudging the Shropshire borders, simply touring between art venues is a pleasure, not to mention a stay at one of these quality destinations.
Collective Artists: Stockton Bury Gardens, Old Chapel Gallery, Aardvark, Grange Court.
Make a break of it at: At 4 Star Gold B&B Lowe Farm, Townsend Touring Park inc mystical underground Hobbit Houses or the self catering 4 Star barns at Luntley Court Farm Cottages all in Pembridge. More self catering on the Black & White Village Trail includes Arboyne House, the unique Green Lane railway carriages at Eardisley in the Orgasmic Cider orchards, waterside Arrow Bank Holiday Park at Eardisland, Mellington House properties in Weobley, and the individually designed conversions at Wall End Farm in Monkland. For a regal stay you’ll love the large B&B rooms at Burton Court in Eardisland, and for award-winning food attached head for the suites and garden lodges at The Riverside Inn in Aymestrey. Near Leominster town Wynnes Holiday Cottages overlook their livestock fields including alpacas and pygmy goats, Pearl Lake Leisure Park at Shobdon includes holiday cottages with its camping lodge home residences, and Lakes Edge luxury resort offers private indoor swimming pools with many properties.
KINGTON & WELSH BORDERS
Collective Artists: Sidney Nolan Trust Presteigne, see more here
Make a break of it at: Luxurious White Heron Properties near Kington has also just launched their estate e-bike tours with dining experience,rural Hicks Farm Holidays in Presteigne has well-thought-out BBQ cabins for that inclement weather, and nearby Rockbridge Holiday Park is perfect for motor-homers. Kington’s Dunfield House is great for groups with arty passions, and quirky Haywood Cabin at outstanding Hergest Croft Gardens is a charming stay for two.
BROMYARD & AREA
Collective Artists: Artists in the Vineyard at Paunton Court and tour the vineyards and wine shop too. See easterly venues here.
Make a break of it at: Historic Rowden Abbey has 10 bedrooms in this characterful and fascinating group property, nearby Rowden Mill Station is an award-winning attraction for railway enthusiasts with station house and carriage accommodation, and Durstone cottages offer well-appointed farm stays. For peaceful breaks near to some wonderful cider producers, Holly Lodge at Burley Gate fits the bill.
This list is of course not exhaustive and you’ll discover many individual artists in between by picking up an h.Art booklet or looking at the maps and guides here.
For places to Eat during your stay, check out our Herefoodie pages here.