Visit Herefordshire is launching Hideous Histories of Herefordshire, four family road trips which can be downloaded as a new online visitor guide in time for the October half term, tempting families to explore the ‘darker’ side of the county, its ruined castles, spooky caves and centuries of bloody deeds, ghastly ghosts and fearsome folklore.

The new guide can be downloaded and enjoyed as self-guided adventures by families, aimed at 6 to 12 year olds, plus plenty for younger or older kids to enjoy too with themes perfect for exploring Key Stage 2 and 3 topics including Prehistoric Britain, The Tudors, Plague, Medieval Times and the Civil War. The spooky trails feature a total of 15 places to visit and explore over four different areas, with the guide helping to fully undercover the deadly detail of the history combined with fun crafts to inspire imaginative play and treasure hunts to keep kids engaged with each location and most importantly off their screens.  

Families visiting at half term will also enjoy canoeing on the River Wye, taking to two wheels on bike rides and exploring the many hiking trails. Here is a snapshot of accommodation that has half term availability and some examples of the Hideous Histories which can be ‘enjoyed’ on the doorstep.

 Period charm at the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford

The Green Dragon, in the heart of historic Hereford, is one of the UK’s oldest hotels. Today it’s a gorgeous boutique hotel with 83 en-suite rooms, a glamorous cocktail bar, a fabulous lounge and the superb Hereford Restaurant. Family ‘Apartment’ rooms sleeping four people cost from £165 including breakfast and there is still some half term availability www.greendragonhotel.com.

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby: The glorious Hereford Cathedral home to the Mappa Mundi, the world’s largest surviving medieval map, was also the site of 14th century burial pits containing nearly a thousand skeletons of Black Death victims.

Golf, swimming and spa at Alexander Park, near Ledbury, Herefordshire

Alexander Park, is a golf, gym and spa resort set in 140 acres, having a number of listed buildings with a remarkable past, each with a story to tell. Just minutes away from the charming town of Ledbury and a 15 minute drive from Hereford, it is also well positioned for a day spent canoeing on the Wye or exploring the nearby towns. The resort itself has a golf course, indoor pool, spa and restaurant for some active family fun. Family rooms sleeping two adults and one child are available during half term and cost from £195 per night https://www.apresort.co.uk/

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby: In the Civil War Ledbury was the scene of bloodshed, and even today Ledbury Church bears the scars of a musket shot. Meanwhile, at the Talbot Inn on New Street, the brass plug marks the spot where a musket ball reportedly passed through the neck of a serving girl and into the oak panelling. Gruesome!

Check into a cottage in the Wye Valley, Monnington House, Herefordshire

Monnington House offers self-catering in the stunning Wye Valley in Herefordshire. A three night break in Garden Cottage (which sleeps six) from 25th – 28th October costs from £900. Walking The Wye Valley Walk, wild swimming, canoeing and paddle boarding are all easily doable from Monnington House and experts can be booked to enhance these experiences. Fishing can also be arranged locally.

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby: About a 30 minute drive away is the village of Mordiford, home to Mordiford Church. Legend has it that a young girl, who desperately wanted a pet, was walking in Haugh Woods and found a baby dragon. She kept it safe but as it got older so did his appetite and he began to eat the villagers. A local man, Garson, slayed the dragon but was killed himself by the dragon’s last fiery breath. A portrait of the dragon can be found in Mordiford and the moral of the story is, be careful what you wish for!

Hire your own glamping village at Oaker Wood, near Leominster, North Herefordshire

Oaker Wood set in stunning Herefordshire countryside with views towards Wales offers groups of friends or extended families the opportunity to hire a whole Glamping Village exclusively, providing the party is 12 or more in size. The village includes eight wooden sleeping pods, a Scandinavian style barbecue hut, campfire, kitchen and dining hut with all facilities and showers & toilets. On site there are a whole host of adventurous activities including quad trekking, zip wires and clay shooting.

Availability from 24th – 29th October inclusive. A two night package including two nights glamping and two adventurous activities £170pp based on a group of 12 booking. The kids can also book into holiday camp for day long adventures fully supervised, with sessions for 7 to 12 year olds on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday priced at £30 per child and on Friday 29th October for those 11 to 16 years old https://www.oakerwoodleisure.co.uk/accommodation/glamping/

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby: Tiptoe around the most haunted house in the Marches, Croft Castle, and see if you spot any of its spectres

Drovers Rest Farm, near Hay on Wye

Tucked away in the foothills of the Black Mountains in the Golden Valley in Herefordshire, Drovers Rest is a 16th Century organic farm with three cottages and some fabulous safari tents (all dog friendly). A three night safari tent stay for four people commencing on Friday 15th October costs from £495. For families that don’t break up until the following week, there is cottage and safari tent availability for the weekend of 29th, 30th and 31st October. A three night stay in one of the cottages sleeping four over those dates costs from £645. As well as feeding the animals and learning a rural craft at the farm, there is plenty to explore on the doorstep including the book town of Hay on Wye. There’s also a spooky Halloween farm feast for guests staying on the 30th of October.  www.droversrest.co.uk.

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby: Journey to the sacred Neolithic burial chamber Arthur's Stone which inspired C.S. Lewis' writing of the stone table in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.

White Heron Cottages

The family owned Whittern Estate near Kington in Herefordshire is home to six luxurious self-catering holiday cottages, set within a 700 acre historic landholding. The Lodge, sleeping six, has availability for a seven night stay from 22nd – 29th October costing from £730. There are other pockets of half term availability for the other cottages. Call 01544 340241 to enquire or go to www.whiteheronproperties.com

Hideous Histories of Herefordshire locations nearby:  

You are spoilt of spooky choice around the nearby market town of Kington with the double horror of the tail of a beheading, a black dog and a bleeding heart all centred around the Vaughan family of Hergest Court. ‘Black Vaughan’ and his sinister legend is thought to have inspired Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles.

To download Herefordshire’s Hideous Histories guide go to: visitherefordshire.co.uk/hideous-histories

 For more information on Herefordshire visit www.visitherefordshire.co.uk   

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Notes to Editors: 

For further press information please contact Fiona Reece and Claire Southern at Travel Tonic - 01452 346 116 or fiona@traveltonic.co.uk / claire@traveltonic.co.uk - and Emma Humphreys emma@emmahumphreys.co.uk  

About the Hideous Histories Guides:

1) Beheadings, Bewitched Bells & The Black Death: City & Central Herefordshire

In the heart of the county lies our tiny city, a very historic place which has born witness to many shocking events.

Highlights include:

• Discover where Owain Tudor, grandfather of King Henry VIII was executed in high town and even see his sword.
• See an ancient bell which was stolen from a local church by a mischievous mermaid.
• Find out about the city's plague pit which contained over 1000 skeletons
• Visit a hillfort to uncover the tale of the ill-fated King Ethelbert who was murdered before his own wedding

Also includes Treasure Hunt and Sword-making activity, plus the best places to take the kids in Hereford

2) Savage Battles, Spectres & Free Speech: North Herefordshire

A land of legend and bitter conflict, dotted with independent market towns, historic houses and fantastic woods.

Highlights include:

• Travel back in time at the dramatic ruins of Wigmore Castle - roam the walls, duck under arches and imagine seeing off invaders!
• Tiptoe around the most haunted house in the Midlands, Croft Castle, and see if you spot any of its spectres.
• Uncover Kington's legend of Black Vaughan, which inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles.
• See for yourself a unique object documenting English social history - a ducking stool - which had its last recorded use in Leominster.

Also includes: Make a Woodland Crown activity, plus recommended places in Leominster to eat, visit and shop.

3)  Mythical cave, Battle-scarred castle & Murderous dragon: South & East Herefordshire

Roam the dramatic Wye Valley, uncovering tales of myth, magic and a huge cannon called Meg!

Highlights include:

• Unravel the secrets of King Arthur's Cave which is linked legend, magic and mammoth bones.
• Get to know one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in England, Goodrich Castle, as well as the legendary cannon.
• Wind your way to a tiny village with the oldest bridge in the county and a wonderful tale of a dragon.
• Hunt down musket balls holes in Ledbury, remnants of the English Civil Wars.

Also includes: Scavenger hunt, Treasure hunt, plus family-friendly ideas for things to do and places to see in the Wye Valley and Ledbury.

4) Love-lorn kings, Legendary killings & Fairy kidnapping: West Herefordshire

Feel a world away in the magical Golden Valley as you explore its wild landscapes and ancient history.

Highlights include:

• Journey to the sacred Neolithic burial chamber Arthur's Stone which inspired C.S. Lewis' writing of the stone table in The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe.
• Wind along country lanes to Clodock Church which is linked to a murderous tale.
• Walk up Garway Hill, home to wild ponies, and hear the tale of a woman who was kidnapped by fairies.

Includes: Make a Fairy House activity and fantastic things to do with the kids in the Golden Valley.

About Herefordshire  

Bordering Wales, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Shropshire, the county is easily accessible from the Midlands, Wales and the M4 Corridor. It is also a car journey of around 2-3 hours for Londoners heading West and those in Manchester and Cheshire heading South, making it a do-able weekend or short break destination. There is direct rail access from London Paddington to Hereford (3 hours) and to Ledbury (2.5 hours); and direct services from Manchester to Hereford (just over 2 hours). Plus, to aid car-free travel there is a good bus network around the county and plenty of cycle-friendly routes to enjoy, too. 

Herefordshire has a distinctly under discovered ‘secret’ feel; a place which draws you in with its rich history, vibrant food and drink scene, wild adventures, gorgeous gardens, real towns like Ledbury, Leominster, Bromyard and Ross on Wye, and the cathedral city of Hereford packed with independent shops and a creative community.