Our Region

Herefordshire

Herefordshire is the most beautiful county, flanked by the Malvern Hills to the east, the Brecon Beacons to the west and the Black Mountains to the south. The rolling and diverse countryside make a stunning backdrop to life here.

The population is approximately 183,500 and is growing, however the population density is 84 people per km2 which is very low.
Herefordshire has many vibrant market towns including: Hay on Wye, Ledbury, Bromyard, Kington with Monmouth and Abergavenny also within easy reach.
As a county we are well known for our cider growing and our ancient Hereford breed of cattle. As a people, we are known for being friendly and welcoming to all.

Mid Wales

Mid Wales is the name given to the central region of Wales, covering the counties of Ceredigion and Powys and the area of Gwynedd. It is an area about the size of Cumbria. Mid Wales is dominated by the Cambrian Mountains and is sparsely populated, with an economy dependent on farming and small businesses.

Powys was formed in 1974 and is named after the successor Kingdom of Powys, which formed after the Romans withdrew from Britain and covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire and a small part of Denbighshire, it is the largest county and has the lowest population density in Wales (over 2,000 sq. Miles).

It is very mountainous making transportation limited but with absolutely stunning views from roads and rail. Home to the Elan Valley Reservoirs, Vyrnwy and Llangorse lakes, lots of waterfall, burial mounds, forts and Castles, this beautiful and historic area is very special.

Shropshire

Shropshire or Salop is the largest inland county, it borders Wales to the west, Cheshire to the north, Staffordshire and Worcestershire to the east and Herefordshire to the south.

The county’s population and economy is centred on five towns: Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Bridgnorth and Ludlow.

The Ironbridge Gorge area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty covers about a quarter of the county.

Shropshire is one of England’s most rural and sparsely populated counties, with the population density of just 91/km2 (337/sq mi). The Wrekin is one of the most famous natural landmarks in the county, though the highest hills are the Clee Hills, Stiperstones and the Long Mynd.

Wenlock Edge is another significant geographical and geological landmark. The River Severn, Great Britain’s longest river, runs through the county.

Hereford

Hereford is a cathedral city on the River Wye, named after the Anglo Saxon “here” (an army of soldiers) and “ford” (a place for crossing a river). Best known for being the home of cider, beer, Nell Gwynne, David Garrick, Hereford cattle and stunning countryside, this lovely area is dominated by the diverse range of farmland that surrounds it. The cathedral dates from the early 12th Century and houses the Mappa Mundi and a world famous Chained Library.
From 1974 – 1998 Hereford and Worcester were joined as one county.

Statistically Hereford is the sunniest place in the UK with an average annual sunshine total of over 2,000 hours. The SAS have their base here and the major local employers are Bulmers (Heineken), Special Metals Wiggin Ltd. and Cargill Meats Europe. In addition to Hereford College of Arts, Herefordshire and Ludlow College, Hereford Sixth Form College are The National School of Blacksmithing, The Royal National College for the Blind and Holme Lacy Agricultural College make this a diverse learning centre.

Leominster

The market town of Leominster is located at the confluence of the River Lugg and its tributary the River Kenwater. “The Town in the Marches”, is located in the heart of the beautiful border countryside, where England and Wales join along Offa’s Dyke.

Leominster (pronounced ‘Lemster’) is a historic town of approx. 11,000 people which dates back to the 7th Century. Some say that Leominster is named after Earl Leofric, the husband of Lady Godiva, whilst others believe that it takes its name from a minster, in the district of Lene or Leon, probably in turn from an Old Welsh root lei to flow. The Welsh language name for Leominster, still used today on the Welsh side of the nearby border, is Llanllieni.

Knighton

Located close to the English / Welsh border in Powys, “Mid Wales” (Ceredigion, Gwynedd), this is a rural, market town with a population of approximately 3336. The town is built on a fairly steep hill with a stunning backdrop of more hills all around and with an iconic Clock Tower in the centre. It was built in 1872 and is of a Victorian Gothic design, striking every 15 minutes. Knighton lies on the river Teme, with a railway station on the Heart of Wales line. Its name derives from the Old English meaning “a settlement of knights” and is the location where knights would protect the borderlands from Welsh invaders.

Offa’s Dyke Path is a 177 mile National Trail footpath that closely follows the England/Wales border. It opened in 1971 from Prestatyn to Chepstow with the centre housed here in Knighton town at the halfway point. The Dyke itself is an earthwork constructed in the 8th century as a divide between rival kingdoms and is now a scheduled monument.

Ludlow

Ludlow is a thriving medieval market town and an architectural gem with a lively community feel, busy with events and festivals throughout the year. The historic town centre is situated on a cliff above the River Teme and is surrounded by the beautiful countryside of south Shropshire and the Welsh Marches. Ludlow has a reputation for the quality of its produce with an annual Food and Drink festival to showcase it all. The population is approximately 11,000.
www.ludlow.org.uk

Abergavenny

The ‘Gateway To Wales’ and nestled between seven hills close to the Welsh/English border is this lovely market town just 6 miles from the border with England and close to the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons National Park and Offa’s Dyke Path.
www.abergavenny.org.uk

Brecon

Set at the foot of the Brecon Beacons National Park and at the confluence of two rivers, Usk and Honddu, is this traditional Mid Wales market town (markets are held on Tuesdays and Fridays). With a population of 7,901.
www.visitbrecon.org

Bromyard

Bromyard is an unspoilt market town with a High Street full of privately owned shops, cafes, pubs and other businesses. Bromyard Downs and Bringsty Common are nearby and provide beautiful country space and within a few miles are lovely old villages, each with its own special character. Bromyard is “the Town of Festivals” with many fun and interesting events through the year. It has a population in 2011 of approximately 4,500.
www.bromyard.info

Eardisley

Part of the black and white trail, this unique and thriving village is in the Wye Valley with a wealth of local amenities.
www.eardisleygroupcommunity.co.uk

Hay-on-Wye

Hay is world renowned for books and bookshops and has a unique position on the border between England and Wales at the foot of the Black Mountains this is an ideal location from which to explore and enjoy the beautiful border country. There is annual literary event called Hay Festival which must not be missed.
www.hay-on-wye.co.uk

Kington

Kington is a historic market town just 2.0 miles (3.2 km) from the border with Wales is on the western side of Offa’s Dyke. The town is on the River Arrow and in the shadow of Hergest Ridge. It is 19 miles (31 km) north-west of Hereford. The centre of the town is situated at 159 metres (522 ft) above sea level. The civil parish covers an area of 347 hectares (860 acres).
www.kington.org.uk

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod Wells is Wales’ most central town. Known locally as “Llandod” it was developed as a spa town in the 19th century due to the “healing qualities” of the local spring waters. As a result the town enjoyed an economic boom and a number of hotels were built. Most of the towns architecture dates from the boom periods of the Victorian and Edwardian eras when ornate hotels and shops were built including the Albert Hall theatre. There are also buildings in the Art Deco style including two striking former garages. Llandrindod Wells is the fifth largest town in Powys. It is locally nicknamed “Llandod” or “Dod”.
www.llandrindod.co.uk

Weobley

The Jewel in the crown of the black and white trail, recorded by The Daily Mail as one of the top 20 most idyllic villages to visit (2015). Formerly a market town, and pronounced “Web-ley”, this is a large village with a historic church and a wealthy of amenities, shops, restaurants and things to do.
www.weobley.org

Monmouth

Monmouth is a Welsh border market town at the heart of the Wye Valley situated at the confluence of the Rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy. It was the birthplace of Henry V, and has a host of historical sites and buildings plus a medieval 13th-century bridge over the river Monnow, unique in Britain as it is the only preserved bridge of its design remaining.
www.monmouth.org.uk

Presteigne

Presteigne, was once the county town of Radnorshire and nestles at the heart of the Marches on the border of Wales and England. Surrounded by unspoilt countryside, this thriving border town is set alongside the river Lugg, at the corner of the three counties of Shropshire, Herefordshire and Powys. It was considered by Country Life to be one of Britain’s top 10 small towns.
www.presteigne.org.uk

Ross-on-Wye

Located in south Herefordshire, this ancient market (Thursdays and Saturdays) town has panoramic views over the River Wye as it is set on a sandstone cliff. “On-Wye” was added to its name to avoid confusion with other places with a similar name. It has a population of 10,089 and is close to the Forest of Dean.
www.ross-on-wye.com

Tenbury Wells

Known as “The Town in the Orchard” in the north west of Worcestershire with the River Teme and its famous 16th century bridge over it within the town. Surrounded by unspoilt farming landscape this is a charming area. The word “Wells” was added to the name in the mid 19th Century to promote the wells found there. The 2001 census reported a population of 3,316.
www.tenburywells.info