Towns
To Visit

North Herefordshire’s Black and White Villages are an absolute delight. Brimming with character, the pretty villages make for a lovely stroll. Cosy pubs and tea rooms, art galleries and village shops are found en-route, as well as castle ruins, country churches, open gardens and historic houses.

To follow the 40-mile trail, look out for the brown and white tourist road signs.

A wealth of antique shops has brought fame to this beguiling market town, with its array of vibrant independent shops including galleries, a book shop, and a super toy shop housed in a melange of medieval, Tudor and Georgian architecture.

Beneath medieval overhanging eaves and in Georgian townhouses more than 100 antique dealers ply their trade in Leominster. It’s an absolute treasure trove where you can find all sorts of historic and preloved pieces ranging from neolithic pottery to 60’s retro, and museum quality furniture and artwork to idiosyncratic memorabilia.

In 1943 John Betjeman (poet laureate and editor of the Shell Guides to England) wrote: “Ludlow….is probably the loveliest town in England with its hill of Georgian houses ascending from the river Teme to the great tower of the cross-shaped church, rising behind a classic market building.” In the 80 years that have followed, little has changed – Ludlow is arguably still one of the finest historic towns in England with a wealth of beautiful period buildings.

Centrepiece to the town is the dramatic medieval Ludlow Castle, perched on a cliff overlooking the River Teme. Nearby, the cathedral-like church of St Lawrence is said to be one of the largest in England. Ludlow is also famous as a gastronomic centre, so spend time to explore the numerous lanes and back streets packed with food shops, cafes, restaurants as well as antique, book and craft shops.

Hereford sits right at the heart of the county, on a loop of the River Wye. The golden-stone cathedral, with its medieval Mappa Mundi and Chained Library, is a huge draw – but you can also wander among half-timbered houses and stroll along the Wye.

Browse independent shops across the city – they’re clustered along quirky Church Street – and explore the Old Market, transformed into an open-air destination for shopping, dining and cinema.

Hay on Wye may be famous for book shops, but it offers so much more, too. You will find art galleries, homeware stores and antiques emporia as well as countless bookshops.

There are plenty of cafes, too – and visit on a Thursday and you will find a morning market which is packed with more than 40 stalls piled with gorgeous edible goodies.

Famous for its landmark black and white buildings, Ledbury offers a great shopping experience. The key to discovering the magic of Ledbury is to explore its myriad of mews and side streets which are peppered along the High Street and the Homend.

Tuesdays and Saturdays see its weekly markets in the stunning Grade 1 listed Market House.

Worcester is a beautiful Cathedral City with a fascinating history, boasting a wealth of interesting architecture combined with an impressive combination of independent shops and high street names. With its attractive jumble of medieval, Tudor, Georgian, and modern architecture Worcester has the feel of a small town and is very easy to explore on foot.

Just a stone’s throw away from the Cathedral are historic Friar Street and New Street where two of Worcester’s oldest and most historic pubs are located. The Cardinal’s Hat in Friar Street is the city’s oldest inn dating back to the fourteenth century, serving craft ales and delicious homemade pies and sharing boards. The King Charles House on New Street is now a restaurant and holds a special place in British history. As King Charles II fled after defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, the residents of New Street held off Cromwell’s army so he could make his escape from the house.