The reopening of Hereford Tourism Information Hub
The Rural Concierge spotted a niche business opportunity in Hereford’s current market so opened a new tourist information centre. This was officially opened by our mayor, Sharon Michael. Being located in the Butter Market gives it a perfect central location for all passing tourists looking for an adventure! Winning the ‘rural business awards-best rural tourism business 2016’, the future’s looking bright.
The team based in Herefordshire has extensive knowledge of the area including: The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, the Marches, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Cotswolds, West Midlands and Wales. They organise day trips and holidays in these areas, showing the charm of these beautiful locations. They also promote exciting local tourism attractions, activities and the latest events so you can enjoy every day to its full potential.
Forget the stress of planning the event yourself. Just sit back and just relax! Rural Concierge will plan every detail, minor or major including transport such as coaches, local buses and train services, bicycle hires or even helicopters! They embrace the local culture by working closely in conjunction with local tourism businesses and organisations. You’re ensured to have the best time no matter your budget.
Liz is your Rural Concierge UK holiday co-ordinator and she specialises in researching quality sightseeing itineraries, tours, talks and holidays. You won’t need the internet or books when it comes to planning your trips or holidays because Liz is a pro at all the local knowledge and tourism. Happy and memorable are two words the Rural Concierge want you to associate with your travels.
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Our visit to The Hop Pocket Shopping Village
The Hop Pocket Shopping Village was a port of call I made with Diane this week. The village is made up of a unique collection of independent shops offering clothing, furnishings, art, local wines, butchers and a deli to garden furniture and original gifts including a wonderful selection of traditional and modern wooden toys.
Within the Hop Pocket is a family restaurant providing morning coffee, a light farmhouse lunch and scrumptious homemade cakes and scones. Sunday is all about a traditional roast. Everything is cooked with fresh local ingredients.
Outside is a unique garden centre with an astonishing range of plants, many of which are locally grown. If the whim takes you, you can also purchase a choice of decorative items for your garden.
Take the children – there is a large grassed play area with traditional wooden climbing frames for tots to bigger ones. The restaurant will even serve you a meal and drinks in this area so that everyone is kept happy!
The Hop Pocket is free to enter with free parking. It is open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays and is well worth a visit.
Alice’s visit to Westons Cider Mill
Diane and I were lucky enough to be offered a tour of Westons Cider in Much Marcle near Ledbury. On arrival, we were shown by Annie and Rose to the Orchard tea-rooms, where we enjoyed scones and cakes before our tour. Despite the rain, we were guided around the past and present ways of how they make ‘Westons Cider’. Part of the tour included the building in which the solid oak vats are stored. All the vats have names, but the two largest and oldest ones are called Pip and Squeak. We heard how cider is produced from the planting of the orchards through to the moment it is poured.
The award-winning Henry Weston Courtyard Garden is well worth stopping off to visit. Also, call into the converted 17th-century cowshed where there is a magnificent cider bottle collection – the largest in the world.
Although modern technology means shire horses are not needed at the cider mill, Ben and Prince are available to hire for weddings. In the meantime, the two resident horses are enjoying their days in the fields of Much Marcle
At the end of the tour, adults are invited to sample the wide selection of ciders and perries. There is a restaurant also.
Whether it’s a refreshing pint of Stowford Press in the summer or a warming mug of mulled cider in the winter, a visit to Westons Cider Mill is a perfect all year round day out.
If you feel like treating yourselves there is a choice of venues to eat. The Orchard Tea Rooms provide homemade cakes, lunches, afternoon teas and children’s lunch boxes. Alternatively, try the Scrumpy House Restaurant providing breakfast, lunch and Scrumpy Thursday.
Also available:
Tour Packages
Cider Shop
Free Play Park
Free Parking
Educational Visits
We can highly recommend Westons Cider it’s well worth visit and the tour. Events throughout the year so keep an eye on their website for more details.
Alice Charles
Trip to Hereford Cathedral
Diane and I made an early morning visit to Hereford Cathedral. A service had just finished as we walked into the stunning building.
There has been a place of worship on the Cathedral site since at least the 8th century, although no part of any building earlier than the 11th-century bishop’s chapel survives.
The medieval Cathedral was not monastic; the governing body, known as the Dean and Chapter, were not monks but secular priests who led active lives in the world. They employed the Vicars Choral, a body of clergy who lived a collegiate life in the Vicars’ Cloister, to sing the daily services for them. It has been the home of many communities for well over 1,300 years.
Hereford Cathedral is one the main tourist attractions in Hereford. Housed on the Cathedral site is the Mappa Mundi, the only complete world map of its kind to have survived. It is now one of the Cathedral’s greatest treasures and a tourist attraction of international importance. Also to be visited is the Chained Library which is the world’s largest surviving example.
Within the Cathedral is a shop supplied with books, photos and souvenirs of your visit. Adjacent to the shop is a peaceful café looking out onto beautiful gardens which are also open to the public.
SAS Memorial
The Special Air Service has a unique relationship with Hereford Cathedral, the city, county and diocese.
Many parishes across the diocese have connections to the SAS Regiment – serving soldiers, retired members, support staff, families and friends.
To honour and celebrate this relationship, the SAS Regimental Association has commissioned artist John Maine RA to create an inspirational new sculpture and stained-glass window for Hereford Cathedral, which will be installed over the winter and unveiled in April 2017.
The installation will be called Ascension and will be a focus for reflection, pilgrimage and worship. It will act as a memorial and tribute to all who serve in and support the SAS – past, present and future – along with their families and friends. Ascension will also provide a spiritual place for reflection for all visitors to the cathedral, where people can reflect on their own lives and look forward with hope.
Alice Charles
