Herefordshire Holiday Cottages: A Self catering Rural Village Cottage near Hereford & Ledbury

The Forest of Dean is one of the most fascinating regions of Britain nestling between the Wye Valley, the Vale of Leadon and the Severn Vale. Its relative isolation created by the valleys of two great tidal rivers, the Severn "known widely for the Severn Bore" and the Wye, together with its hilly terrain have helped preservea pattern of land use, culture and heritage unlikeanywhere else in the whole of England . The Royal Forest occupies an area of 204 square miles in the western part of Gloucestershire.The 20 million trees that cover the Royal Forest of Dean include oak, beech, ash, birch and holly trees. People who live in and around the Forest are known as Foresters. The areas name is derived from one of the primeval forests of England.In 1939 the woodland area became the first park in England to be designated as a national forest.One of the remaining Royal Forests in England.

The Malvern Hills are one of the most distinctive natural features in Great Britain, as well as being the source of the water that the Queen drinks. Consisting of a range of hills in the English counties of Worcestershire, Herefordshire and a small area of northern Gloucestershire. They have been designated by the Countryside Agency as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Malvern Hills are a famous beauty spot, with scenic views over both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The Hills run north/south for about 13 km (nine miles), in between Great Malvern and the village of Colwall, and overlook the River Severn valley to the East, with the Cotswolds beyond. There are two passes through the hills, the Wyche cutting (Wyche means salt) and the A449 road just north of Herefordshire Beacon. The Herefordshire Beacon is also known as the British Camp, as the remains of an iron age hill fort can be found at the summit.

The hills were a great inspiration for the truly English composer, Sir Edward Elgar. His many hobbies included golf and cycling and whilst living in Herefordshire composed some of his most inspirational music. A statue is planned to honour his memory and you can follow the Elgar Route to experience what he enjoyed.

The attractive cathedral city of Hereford itself provides plenty of material for a traveler's camera. The roots of the history of Hereford are Saxon, and indeed fragments of the original Saxon city walls can still be seen. The Old House in Hereford is a delightful Jacobean half-timbered house built in 1621, and the St. John Medieval Museum on Widemarsh Street is a 13th century chapel and museum highlighting the history of the chivalric knightly Order of St. John. Though these attractions are interesting, it is the Cathedral that draws most visitors to Hereford. The Cathedral was begun in the 11th century, and it contains superb Gothic architectural detail. For a bit of refreshment served with history, visit the Cider Museum and King Offa Distillery on Whitecross Road, which traces the history of traditional cider in Herefordshire in a fascinating display that features a huge 17th century beam press and a recreation of a Farm Cider House.

The roots of the history of Hereford are Saxon, and indeed fragments of the original Saxon city walls can still be seen. The city recieved its first charter from King Richard I in 1189, but the city has had a troubled history since then, due to its strategic location on the English border with Wales. For over a millenium, Hereford has been the subject of raids, seiges, and counter-raids, culminating in the turbulent years of the English Civil War, when Hereford changed hands no less than 4 times in 3 years.

Herefordshire is a primarily rural county, blessed with broad, open pastures and green hills. Apart from the cattle and cider industres, Herefordshire is home to some of the lovliest examples of half-timbered Tudor and Jacobean buildings anywhere in Britain. Nowhere is this more evident than in Hereford itself. The Old House in Hereford is a delightful Jacobean half-timbered house built in 1621. The house is furnished in 17th century style on 3 floors, including the kitchen and children's rooms. Moving back in time from Old House, the St. John Medieval Museum on Widemarsh Street is a 13th century chapel and museum highlighting the history of the chivalric knightly Order of St. John. In the garden is the only surviving open air preaching cross in the country.

Though these attractions are interesting, it is the Cathedral that draws most visitors to Hereford. The Cathedral was begun in the 11th century, and it contains superb Gothic architectural detail.

At Ledbury, on the verge of the Malvern Hills, the 17th century market house is supported on its original oaken posts, but you won't want to stop long before moving on to Eastnor Castle, the amazing mock-Gothic creation of the 1st Earl Somers. All bristling turrets and battlements, Eastnor is a medieval fantasy begun in the early 19th century. The castle is set in a superb landscaped garden, especially notable for its variety of trees, while the interior is a sumptuous feast for the eyes, with fine art, tapestries, and furniture decorating rooms by Gothic Revival master designer A.W. Pugin.