Arts and crafts in Herefordshire

It has a population of around 183,000 and covers approximately 217,000 hectares. Here is a list of nearby or neighbouring counties: Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Shropshire, Worcestershire

Herefordshire borders Wales and historically control of the area changed between the Welsh, Anglo-Saxons, Danes and Normans before becoming an English county. The county town is Hereford, where you can visit The Old House, which was built during the 17th century is now a museum of Jacobean life. The 11th century Herefordshire Cathedral is home to the Chained Library and the Mappa Mundi, which was made during the 13th century and is considered to be the largest medieval map in existence. Hereford Museum and Art Gallery has a large collection of paintings and exhibitions of artefacts of local historical interest. Set among parkland, woodland and farmland and surrounded by a moat, Brockhampton Estate features a timber framed manor house that was built during the 14th century and is now a National Trust property. Performing arts venues in Herefordshire include the Courtyard Theatre in Hereford and the The Market Theatre in Ledbury.

Built during the 14th century, Croft Castle has Georgian interior furnishings and is set among parkland where visitors can find an Iron Age Hillfort. Berrington Hall, an 18th century neoclassical mansion, has beautiful period furnishings and the surrounding landscape was the final design by Capability Brown. Events run in the county include the Herefordshire Art Week, exhibiting work by local artists each September, and the Hereford Contemporary Craft Fair in November. Not to be confused with Hampton Court Palace, Hampton Court Castle is near to the market town of Leominster and was built during the 15th century. The interiors were restored during the 20th century and the castle is set among a picturesque landscape with extensive gardens and woodlands. Other attractions in Herefordshire include Goodrich Castle near Ross-on-Wye, Eastnor Castle near Ledbury, Hergest Croft Gardens near Kington, Kentchurch Court and Queenswood Country Park near Leominster.