The picture of ‘green and pleasant’ England with rambling fields, feathered woodland, flowing rivers and traditional ‘black and white’ villages, Herefordshire is perfect for dog-friendly holidays.
On the border of England and Wales, the county of Herefordshire is flanked by the Wye Valley, the Malvern Hills and the Brecon Beacons. Made up of a framework of open countryside, dense woodland and picturesque valleys, its natural spaces are peppered here and there with quaint villages, historic houses and castle ruins. With so much on offer, the choice of dog-friendly things to do is endless.
To get you started, here are some of our favourite dog-friendly attractions in Herefordshire.
Goodrich Castle
Standing amidst sprawling countryside above the River Wye, Goodrich Castle near Goodrich village is one of the most well-preserved of all English Medieval castles. One of the best dog-friendly attractions in Herefordshire, its fascinating history and beautiful setting can be enjoyed by all the pack as dogs are welcome on leads throughout the site.
Croft Castle
With 1,500 acres of parkland, no dog will be able to resist the pull of Croft Castle near Leominster. Located near the border of England and Wales, its extensive grounds include five waymarked trails that lead you through ancient trees and up to an Iron Age hill fort (Croft Amberley). The castle also has dog-friendly tearooms.
Weobley
Go back in time and pad the streets of Weobley with your pup. A Medieval village lined with black and white half-timbered houses, it’s a particularly photogenic place that evokes a sense of romantic nostalgia and intrigue. While your four-legged friend may not be so taken with the aesthetics, they will love stretching their legs around the village’s great circular walk.
Herefordshire Trail
With the Wye Valley, Malvern Hills, Brecon Beacons, Shropshire Hills and the Forest of Dean all in easy reach of Herefordshire, the choices for dog-friendly walks are manifold. That said, we particularly recommend picking up the Herefordshire Trail. A circular route, the 154-mile Herefordshire Trail can be broken down into whatever length you wish and passes five market towns: Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, Kington, Leominster and Bromyard.
Golden Valley
If you want to continue your journey through time, you can head over to Herefordshire’s Golden Valley to visit Arthur’s Stone. A Neolithic burial chamber, this 5,000-year-old grave is said to be where King Arthur killed a giant. As your dog inspects the site, gaze out over the views of sweeping Herefordshire countryside before finding somewhere to sit back with a flask of tea.
Berrington Hall
A neo classical mansion near Leominster, Berrington Hall is a wonderful place to visit with dogs at any time of year. As long as your canine chum is happy on a lead, you can walk around the estate’s 250 acres of Capability Brown gardens, parklands and woodland together and follow the waymarked trails to the site’s beautiful lake.
Brockhampton Estate
Enjoy the miles of walks around Brockhampton estate and surrounding Lower Brockhampton with your paddy-pawed pal and stroll through orchards, parkland and woodlands. With 1,700 acres of land surrounding a 14th century, timber-framed manor house, there will be no end to the sights and smells for you pup to discover. The longest walk, the Carriage Rides walk, is nearly 4 miles long and a great one for its pastoral views.
Eastnor Castle
As well as its 5,000 acres of open playground, Eastnor Castle is one of the few heritage attractions that welcomes dogs inside its castle too. Around the grounds you’ll find plenty of places to explore, including the Arboretum, the lake and the tree trail. There’s even a dedicated area for dogs to run about and play off lead. To refuel afterwards, the Castle Tearoom and ice cream parlour are high on the agenda – especially for the dog-friendly ice cream!
Longtown Castle
Owned and looked after by English Heritage, Longtown Castle was originally a Roman Fort built to station 500 infantrymen. Later, it was rebuilt by the Normans in wood and then once again in the 12th century in stone. Today, you can still see the remains of this stone castle and wander the old ramparts. Explore the site with your dog and admire the wonderful mishmash of historical features.
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our luxury, dog-friendly cottages in Herefordshire here
