Nearby attractions & activities
There are a whole host of attractions and activities nearby - below we share a few very local favourites. Find more on our local area website at www.herefordholidays.co.uk– and in the Wild Guide to Wales book (there is a copy in The Barn).
Rowlestone Court Ice-Cream, Playground & Adventure Trail
HR2 0DW / 15 mins drive / www.rowlestonecourt.co.uk
A little café with a huge range of homemade award-winning ice cream! Café serves light lunches and snacks on afamily farm with wildflower meadows and children's playground and Woodland Adventure Trail, including zipwire! Small charge applies. Generally open Apr–Sept, 11am–4pm Wed–Fri, 11am–5pm weekends and bank holidays – but do check opening times.
Apple juice and Cider tasting
Herefordshire produces over half of the cider in the UK, so most local pubs serve a good selection, but nothing beats tasting it where it is made. The Herefordshire and Wye Valley cider routeshowcases the best producers (www.visitherefordshire.co.uk/cider-route) – and two of them are within easy reach:
Ty Gwynn Cider, Pontrilas/ near Rowelstone/ HR2 0DL / 15 mins drive / www.tygwyncider.co.uk
Try their cider and perry in the shop and bar, which is usually open for tastings 10–6 on Wednesday to Saturday and from 11–5 on Sunday and Bank Holidays. Run by a helpful team making it an enjoyable experience.
Gwatkin Cider, near Abbey Dore / HR2 0AL / 25 mins via Ewyas Harold / www.gwatkincider.co.uk
With 35 ciders and perries on draught you better note before you start out that there are no card payments! Usually open every day from 9am-5pm.
Battle Lands Paintball / Viking Games / Laser Clayz
Ewyas Harold / HR2 0JH / 15 mins drive / www.battlelands.co.uk / www.thevikinggames.co.uk / www.laserclayz.co.uk
Offering paintball and splatmaster for younger ones. Viking Games offers Archery, Axe Throwing, Bull Rings, Kubb, Molkky and Trappstege. Also offered is laser clay shooting.
Little Blue Elephant Play Café
Ewyas Harold / HR2 0UA / 15 mins drive / www.blueelephantplaycafe.co.uk
Indoor play space for children 0-6 year olds, and older siblings are welcome. Classes and activities available, as well as breakfast, lunches and snacks. Open Tues-Sat, 9.30am-4.30 pm.
Nigel Ward Auction House
Pontrilas/ 20 mins drive / HR2 0EH / www.nigel-ward.co.uk
A fun way to find a bargain - this friendly auction house holds an auction every 3 weeks, with a wide range of items - from renovation projects to high end furniture. It's open for viewing and commission bids on the Friday, with the auction on the Saturday morning.
Other notable attractions & activities
Blaenavon World Heritage Site
NP4 9XP/ 40 mins drive / www.visitblaenavon.co.uk/ www.cadw.wales.gov.uk / Free Admission
Highlights are the Big Pit National Coal, where you can go down into the mine guided by ex-miners, followed by tea or lunch in the miners canteen, also Blaenavon Ironworks and The Heritage Railway.
Brecon Beacons National Park
Further into the Brecon Beacons National Park you’ll find lots of walks and things to do, including plenty of good walking, the Waterfall Country Trails (www.breconbeacons.org/waterfall-country-walking-trails), Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal (canalrivertrust.org.uk), the towns of Crickhowell and Brecon, as well as the Brecon Mountain Railway (www.bmr.wales) and Penderyn Distillery (penderyn.wales).
Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre
Kington / HR5 3HF / 50 mins drive / www.owlcentre.com
Get close to many rare and miniature animals, from pygmy goats and mini horses, to the worlds smallest breed of cow and lots of owls.
Golden Valley Llama Trekking
Eywas Harold / HR2 0HB / 15 mins drive / www.llamasllamas.co.uk
Half day llama trekking experiences.
The Goat Company
Longtown / HR2 0NG / 15 mins drive / www.thegoatcompany.co.uk
Farm business producing textiles and clothes from Mohair of Angora Goats. Combine with walk up Red and Black Darren or up the Olchon Valley.