Your family and four-legged friend will fall in love with dog-friendly Herefordshire with its welcoming locals, stunning scenery, delicious food and drink, and, of course, the endless walking opportunities. Its central location also makes Herefordshire a good choice for a break at any time of the year.

Our Dog-Friendly Herefordshire Holiday Cottage

Hampton Wafre Cottage

Why not book a stay at Hampton Wafre Cottage for a week away or for a long weekend? With your best canine pals welcome, and a huge variety of activities for you all to enjoy, the whole family can look forward to a holiday together where you’ll feel the stress and worry of your everyday lives slip away…

Our canine-crazy team have come up with their top 5 reasons for booking this dog-friendly Herefordshire holiday cottage!

Matilda surveys a conquered Herefordshire peak by ReflectedSerendipity

1. The walks – Hampton Wafre is situated on a working arable farm, rich in indigenous wildlife and boasting fabulous unspoilt countryside views. The hospitable owners welcome you to explore the farm with your four-legged friends, and you can even fish for carp on their idyllically situated lake. There are great scenic walks straight from the cottage including the Three Choirs Way which runs close by and some wonderful walks around the Bromyard Downs. From rolling farmland, woodland and river valleys to upland pasture and mountain ridges, the stunning landscape changes as you walk. Other routes to consider include the Herefordshire Trail, which takes in five market towns and covers 150 miles of pristine countryside and the world-famous Offa’s Dyke Path, as well as numerous shorter waymarked walks.

Pembridge by Amanda Slater

2. The towns and villages – Our dog-friendly Herefordshire holiday cottage is ideally placed for exploring The Black and White Village Trail. History is everywhere and there are several villages with extremely well preserved medieval houses nearby, including Weobly (pronounced “Webbley”), Pembridge and Eardisland. Follow the Weobly Heritage Trail, or walk around Pembridge at your leisure and admire the dog-friendly Westonbury Mill Water Gardens.

Nearby Leominster is also a wonderful place to enjoy a lazy afternoon stroll and Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum close by provides wayward marked paths through beautiful woodland and meadows as well as a pretty café and picnic area.

Eastnor Castle by Matt Buck

3. The dog-friendly attractions – There’s a lot more on offer than fantastic walks at our dog-friendly Herefordshire holiday cottage! Local attractions include Berrington Hall where dogs on leads are welcome in the Capability Brown designed parkland. Complete with lake, waymarked estate walks and a large courtyard tearoom with shady umbrellas where you and your canine chum can cool off and refresh, it makes for an enjoyable family day out any time of year. Other dog-friendly sites include Wigmore Castle, Eastnor Castle and Brockhampton Estate, an historic medieval manor house with miles of dog-friendly footpaths winding through ancient woodland. Ludlow Castle also welcomes dogs on leads in its grounds and courtyard tearoom, and you’ll find bowls of water dotted around to ensure your four-legged friends are well cared for during your visit.

The Stockton Cross Inn (10 minutes drive from Hampton Wafre Cottage) by Ian Peterson

4. The doggie pubs, restaurants and cafes – Since so much of Herefordshire is agricultural, it’s no surprise that the local produce is simply amazing. Visit a local farmers’ market for the ingredients to prepare a truly mouth-watering meal back at the cottage, or try out one of the numerous dog friendly eateries nearby where you and your pooch will receive a warm welcome!

The Spring Food Festival at Ludlow Castle by calflier001

5. The events and activities your dog can enjoy with you – Ludlow is famous for the festivals that take place in its Castle and around the town. In fact, there’s something different going on in Ludlow almost every week. Dog-friendly festivals here include the Spring Food Festival in May, which also features classic cars, and the Ludlow Food Festival during the second weekend of September. Your canine pals are welcome in the castle grounds although not in any marquee or where food preparation is taking place, but there is a dog crèche inside the castle which charges £2 an hour while you browse the stalls. Or pop along to the Medieval Christmas Fayre which fills the Castle over the last weekend of November and which includes a magical candlelit evening on the Saturday.
 
Feel free too to bring your friendly dogs to Eastnor Castle where events include The Chilli Festival in May and Lakefest in August. Lakefest is also a very child-friendly festival, with plenty to keep your little’uns entertained.
 
For year-round family events, look no further than the wonderful National Trust properties nearby, including Brockhampton Estate, Berrington Hall and Croft Castle. Many involve fun in the great outdoors with trails and prizes where dogs are welcome!
 
Alternatively, take part in a Treasure Trail, a fun activity to try with your family and pooch at any time of the year, especially at weekends or over the school holidays. Choose from a Murder Mystery Trail where you can solve fiendish clues to unravel a whodunit mystery or a Treasure Hunt where you find the location of buried treasure, or make like James Bond on a Spy Mission where you complete the mission like 007!