THE LOCAL AREA
Market Towns
Herefordshire is one of the least densely populated counties in the UK, and we recommend a visit to a local market town such as Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye or Leominster. They are a far cry from the busy cities we are used to.
​
Ledbury is full of vibrant independent shops and has a picturesque 1600s black and white market hall at its heart. Leominster is good for antiques shopping.
​
We also recommend a visit to Ludlow, which is on the Herefordshire/ Shropshire border. The town has nearly 500 listed buildings (plus a castle!). You can purchase local produce at the Ludlow Food Centre.
​
Local Walks
Herefordshire and the surrounding counties have countless picturesque walks on offer.
​
The Malvern Hills (AONB) are an absolute must. A brisk walk to the top offers a panorama of the Severn Valley with the hills of Herefordshire and the Welsh Mountains, parts of thirteen counties, the Bristol Channel and the cathedrals of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester.
​
The Bromyard Downs and Bringsty Common are also on our doorstep. Bringsty incorporates the National Trust's fantastic Brockhampton Estate.
​
We are pet friendly. . At Mintridge, we farm around 130 acres and we have a dedicated farm walk.
​
Activities & Family Fun
James' Guidebook - For a full list of recommendations and things to do in the local area please Click Here to open Jame's Guidebook!
​
There are a wealth of activities to keep your family entertained in and around Herefordshire.
​
For the history lovers, we recommend heading to the cathedrals of Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester. Or perhaps Eastnor and Goodrich Castle.. Not to mention Hampton Court Castle or English Heritage's Witley Court.
If outdoor pursuits are more your thing, Noakes Farm offer fantastic horse rides through the countryside, and Bromyard's Kingfisher Trout Lake is a idyllic setting for an afternoon's fly fishing. Paintballing, go karting and golf are all within 30 minutes drive.
​
There are several well attended festivals in Bromyard. Bromyard Speed Festival takes place in April, Nozstock Performing Arts Festival takes place in July and The Bromyard Folk Festival takes place in September. The Hay Festival of Literature and The Arts takes place in May and The Royal Three Counties Show takes place in June.
​Ledbury offers many independent and boutique shops. On the way to Ledbury, The Hop Pocket Shopping Village is a good place to pick up handcrafted goods.
​
If you're looking to take your children somewhere a little different, why not have a ride on the Severn Valley Railway, take a Morgan Motor Company tour or visit Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire. All attractions are under an hours' drive from Mintridge.
​
Dining
Each cottage is fully equipped for your dining needs. However, if you fancy eating out, we have a few recommendations.
​
The Glasshouse at Holloways (Suckley) and The Nest at Little Verzons Farm (Ledbury) are good for lunch. The Oak (Staplow) offers good quality pub good.
​
The Plough Inn (Stoke Lacy) is the closest pub. It is less than two miles from Mintridge and can be walked in most part via country lanes.
​
The Beefy Boys in Hereford is a well known burger restaurant serving local beef - the best in the area.
For something a little more special, we recommend the The Feathers Hotel in Ledbury, as well as The Baiting House (Upper Sapey).
​
Herefordshire's Finest
When we think of Herefordshire, we think of rolling hills, vibrant orchards and active farmland. From this comes fantastic local produce.
​
There are many country pubs nearby, all serving ​Herefordshire beef. Half of England's hops are grown in the county, so you'll also find plenty of local ales too.
​
We highly recommend visits to Wye Valley Brewery, Little Ponoma and Weston's Cider, all of which are within 30 minutes drive.
​
Legges, Bromyard's family butcher and deli, is the place to go to pick up something tasty for lunch or dinner - the majority of meat being from a six-mile radius of the town! Lamings Bakery is also great for bread and cakes.
​