Herefordshire is the most rural of counties offering a wonderful landscape to explore. There are historic market towns nestling beneath wooded hills or more rugged uplands; fascinating villages with ancient black and white cottages and, of course, the Wye Valley. Wordsworth was transported by the beauty of the Wye Valley and the poem Tintern Abbey is a lyrical endorsement of the "sylvan Wye" as well as the Abbey itself. Symonds Yat offers spectacular views over the Wye Valley; views you may find yourself sharing with the resident Peregrine Falcons.

Parts of the Herefordshire landscape are wooded and seem untouched since ancient times; parts are cultivated and provide some of the wonderful produce for which Hereford is justly famous. The hop bines and apple orchards have been joined by vineyards (Three Choirs vineyard has an international reputation for fine wine). A day out to Westons Cider or Broadfield Court combines the best of produce with the finest of scenic surroundings. The historic house of Hellens is just at Much Marcle and there are two National Trust properties at Berrington Hall and Croft Castle.

A short drive will take you to Broadheath, the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar where you will also find a museum dedicated to him; you could follow the Elgar Trail and see where he found such inspiration.

From poetry and music it is possible to progress with ease to the stage: at The Malvern Theatre many shows bound for the West End take their first breath. Hereford and Ledbury also have energetic and intimate theatres.

Tarrington, a village with a wealth of fine houses set in a beautiful landscape, lies equidistant between Hereford and Ledbury. At Hereford you will find the magnificent Cathedral which houses the world famous Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library. There are plenty of restaurants and shops, of course, a large market square with open air cafes and the indoor 'Butter Market' for bargains galore. Ledbury is, perhaps, one of the most picturesque of small towns with its raised black and white Market Hall, regularly open to the public and still used by Herefordshire craftsmen. Another commanding presence in Ledbury is the black and white building which housed Prince Rupert's headquarters during the English Civil War: a huge building (the interior is not open to the public) which reminds you how bitterly the war was waged in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Ledbury has a wealth of restaurants (so good it is advisable to book at most of them) some lovely independent shops and outlets for many of the regions excellent food products.

Looking out from our (best) corner of the Herefordshire countryside we can also recommend a trip to the Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean, perhaps Slimbridge or Burford or Cheltenham for the day - maybe the races (and Hereford and Chepstow have racecourses too). For the sporting there is also cricket at Worcester or rugby in Gloucester (both cities also have cathedrals). So much to see and do in every direction...