15 best things to do in Herefordshire

Forget polished city breaks. Herefordshire is all about fresh air, big skies, and hands-on experiences you won’t find on a postcard. You can walk in the footsteps of ancient Britons, sip cider straight from the source, and maybe even take a llama for a stroll.

Into history? Food? Hiking? Prefer places that feel real, not curated? This green corner of the West Midlands has you covered. From Neolithic monuments to black-and-white villages, there's no shortage of things to do in Herefordshire, and no crowds getting in the way.

Here are the best things to do in Herefordshire.

1. Take a llama for a walk in the Golden Valley

Llama trekking through the foothills of the Black Mountains isn’t just a novelty: it’s a surprisingly peaceful way to see the countryside. At Golden Valley Llamas, you’ll start by grooming your llama and getting to know them, then head out on a guided walk along farm tracks and quiet lanes with views over the Monnow Valley and into Wales.

Children can join in too, as long as under-12s walk alongside an adult. It's slow-paced, scenic, and just the right amount of weird,  ideal if you're exploring England with kids and want something they'll talk about long after the trip.

You can visit for the day or book a stay at Old King Street Farm, where the llamas live.

2. Make your own gin in the Black Mountains

Here’s one for the gin lovers. At Black Mountains Botanicals, a small-batch distillery tucked away on Bridge Farm in Michaelchurch Escley, you can learn how to distil your own bottle of gin using hand-picked botanicals and expert guidance.

The day starts with a crash course in the gin-making process, from the history of the spirit to the science behind your still. After lunch, you’ll mix your blend using everything from wild herbs to citrus peel, then bottle it up to take home. The experience is well-paced, sociable, and rooted in local produce, even the apples come from nearby Gwatkin Cider.

If you're looking for hands-on things to do in Herefordshire that aren’t just about walking and castles, this one’s worth booking ahead.

3. Fly a bird of prey in the Wye Valley

Wye Valley Falconry gives you the rare chance to handle and fly birds of prey in a private outdoor setting. Based near Ross-on-Wye, the team runs tailored sessions in open countryside, so it feels more like stepping into a nature documentary than visiting a tourist attraction.

You'll meet the birds up close, hawks, owls, or falcons, and learn how to handle them safely before taking them out to fly. These aren’t staged shows. You’ll send the birds into the air yourself, then call them back to your glove as they glide silently through the fields and hedgerows.

One-hour sessions focus on a single species, while longer options include a mix of birds. There are also photography sessions and educational visits, but the highlight is simply standing still while a hawk drops from the sky and lands on your arm.

4. Try blacksmithing at Oldfield Forge

Banging hot metal with a hammer might not sound like a holiday highlight, but spend a day at Oldfield Forge and you’ll get why it’s one of the best things to do in Herefordshire. This working forge near Garway teaches traditional blacksmithing techniques with a modern twist, and yes, you do the work yourself.

After a safety briefing and demo, you'll grab tongs, heat metal until it glows, and shape it on the anvil with a hammer. You can forge everything from hooks and fire pokers to knives, BBQ tools, and even swords. It’s hands-on, sweaty, and surprisingly satisfying.

There are sessions for couples, families, solo visitors, and groups, including sword-making weekends if you’re really keen. If you're after a proper local experience that feels miles from the usual sightseeing circuit, this is one of the best things to do in England for anyone who likes their history hands-on.

5. Explore the black-and-white villages of north Herefordshire

The timber-framed villages north of Leominster are some of the most photogenic in the county, and they’re not just for show. You can follow the Black and White Village Trail by car or bike, winding through picture-perfect spots like Weobley, Eardisland, Pembridge, and Lyonshall.

Expect crooked cottages, old pubs, half-timbered markets, and flower-filled lanes. It’s a great way to explore rural Herefordshire at your own pace, with plenty of spots to stop for lunch or a pint. Leominster makes a good base if you’re doing it over a couple of days.

6. Get your hands dirty at a pottery workshop

Herefordshire has a strong creative streak, and pottery is one of the best ways to get stuck in. Whether you're a total beginner or already know your way around a wheel, there are plenty of places to learn.

Eastnor Pottery, just outside Ledbury, offers fun and accessible sessions for all ages. You’ll learn how to shape and throw clay on a potter’s wheel in a relaxed, countryside setting, and yes, you can take your muddy masterpiece home with you.

For something more structured, head to CUP Ceramics in Hereford. Their 2.5-hour classes include throwing, hand-building, and glazing, with expert tutors on hand to guide you. There's also a café on site, so you can refuel with a pastry or coffee before browsing the on-site gallery.

7. See the Mappa Mundi at Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral is impressive enough on its own, with Gothic arches, Norman columns, and a peaceful garden tucked behind the Chapter House. But its real claim to fame is the Mappa Mundi: the largest surviving medieval map of the world.

Drawn around 1300 on calfskin, the map shows how Christian Europe once understood the world, complete with Jerusalem at the centre and strange beasts at the edges. It’s part of the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library Exhibition, which also includes a collection of rare manuscripts kept under lock and key, literally. The Chained Library still holds more than 1500 ancient books, secured to the shelves with iron chains.

It's one of the most fascinating historical sites in the county, and a must-see if you want to understand Herefordshire’s place in the medieval world.

8. Take a cider tour at Westons Cider Mill

Cider is to Herefordshire what whisky is to Scotland, and Westons Cider Mill in Much Marcle is one of the best places to see (and taste) how it all comes together. Family-run since 1880, this working mill offers behind-the-scenes tours through its 200-year-old barns, massive oak vats, and modern bottling plant.

You’ll walk through the orchards, see how apples are pressed and fermented, and taste the results in the cider shop or on-site bar. The tour is relaxed but informative, and the variety of ciders, from cloudy scrumpy to sparkling fruit blends, might surprise you. There’s also a café and play area if you’re visiting with kids.

If you're building a list of essential things to do in Herefordshire, this one belongs near the top: it’s local, hands-on, and delicious.

9. Discover Elizabethan art in Ledbury’s Painted Room

In one of Ledbury’s oldest timber-framed buildings, a routine renovation in the 1980s uncovered something remarkable: a wall painting from the 1560s, perfectly preserved beneath centuries of paint and plaster. Now known as the Painted Room, it’s one of the best surviving examples of Elizabethan domestic decoration in England.

The hand-painted design mimics the rich tapestries of the period, complete with biblical quotes and intricate patterning. Back then, only the wealthy could afford tapestries, so the merchant class painted their own, and this is a rare glimpse into that world.

Entry is free, and volunteer guides bring the history to life with real enthusiasm. It’s a small but fascinating stop if you’re in Ledbury and want something genuinely unexpected.

10. Hike the Offa’s Dyke Path through the Black Mountains

If you want a walk with serious history, climb up to the ridge where England meets Wales and follow a stretch of Offa’s Dyke Path. This 8th-century earthwork runs for 177 miles, but some of its best walking is in western Herefordshire, where the trail rises into the Black Mountains near Longtown and Hay Bluff.

The views are big, the crowds are few, and the walking is tough but rewarding. You’ll follow an ancient border, cross exposed ridgelines, and drop into deep, remote valleys. Good boots are essential, and you’ll need to bring supplies. This is wild country.

There are plenty of rural places to stay in Herefordshire near the trail, from pubs with rooms to glamping sites with hot tubs. It’s worth spending the night nearby so you can hit the path early and soak up the silence.

This is one of the most iconic walks in the UK and a proper escape into borderland wilderness.

11. Follow ancient ley lines on the Watkins Way

Herefordshire isn’t short on scenic routes, but the Watkins Way adds a dose of mystery to your drive. This self-guided trail is named after Alfred Watkins, the local man who, in 1921, claimed that ancient spiritual sites across the landscape were linked by straight lines of energy, what he called ley lines.

The route connects places like Arthur’s Stone, Weobley Castle, and Dinedor Hill, spots that Watkins believed were part of a prehistoric navigation system. Whether or not you buy into the theory, the sites themselves are worth the journey: Iron Age forts, Neolithic tombs, ruined castles, and panoramic hilltops.

You can explore the route by car or bike, stopping at black-and-white villages, hidden churches, and quiet country pubs along the way. It’s an unusual, low-key way to uncover a different side of Herefordshire, part folklore, part archaeology, all intrigue.

12. Explore Herefordshire on horseback

Riding through Herefordshire’s quiet lanes, bridleways, and open fields is one of the best ways to soak up the landscape, especially if you want to swap walking boots for something four-legged.

Tipton Hall Riding School near Bromyard offers lessons and guided hacks for all levels, including beginners and families. Once you're saddled up, you’ll head out into the surrounding countryside, with gentle hills, farm tracks, and big-sky views all around. For more experienced riders, there are jump sessions in both indoor and outdoor arenas.

After your ride, grab lunch at a nearby pub or explore Bromyard’s independent shops and timber-framed high street. It’s a relaxed, rural way to see a quieter corner of the county, and a decent excuse to get a bit muddy.

13. Spend a day at the races in Hereford

Just a short walk from the city center, Hereford Racecourse offers a proper day out with views over the Welsh hills and a packed National Hunt calendar running from October to April. The atmosphere is friendly, the crowds are smaller than big-city courses, and you can still get close to the action, whether you're backing a favorite or just soaking it all in with a drink in hand.

Outside of race days, the grounds also host local events like the Hereford Food Festival, with street food stalls, live music, and kids’ activities. It’s a good excuse to hang out in the fresh air, eat well, and see a different side of the city.

Check the schedule before you go, it’s the kind of place that feels lively without being overwhelming, and makes for a fun contrast to the county’s quieter corners.

14. Paddle the River Wye by canoe

Few places in England offer such an easy, peaceful escape as the River Wye. One of the best ways to see it is from the water, drifting past wooded banks, sandstone cliffs, and the occasional heron or otter. Several outfitters in towns like Ross-on-Wye and Hereford offer half-day to multi-day canoe trips, with routes that pass riverside pubs, ruined castles, and ancient woodland.

You don’t need experience, just a dry bag, a packed lunch, and a sense of adventure. There are options for families, groups, and solo paddlers, and you can take it as slow or as splashy as you like.

This is a classic Herefordshire experience: quiet, scenic, and just the right amount of wild.

15. Discover Arthur’s Stone on the ridge above the Golden Valley

Set high above the Golden Valley, Arthur’s Stone is a Neolithic burial chamber dating back over 5,000 years. Legend says it marks the spot where King Arthur slew a giant, but the truth is just as impressive: a massive capstone weighing around 25 tonnes balanced on upright slabs, overlooking some of the best views in the county.

It’s a short walk from the road near Dorstone and part of a landscape dotted with ancient sites and old walking routes. The hilltop setting makes it feel remote, even if it’s easy to reach.

If you're looking for things to do in Herefordshire that connect history, myth, and landscape, this is one of the most atmospheric spots around.