Visitors staying in Eardisland will find Herefordshire and the Welsh Marches rich in a variety of places worth visiting, from country houses, such as Hampton Court near Leominster to beautiful churches, glorious gardens to ancient hill forts and old watermills. The menu on the right lists some of the best attractions in the area.
In addition to these attractions the region has several market towns worth visiting - Leominster, Hay-on-Wye (famous for its second-hand book shops), Presteigne, Kington, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye. All of them are within 30-40 minutes drive from Eardisland and well worth a day trip.
Hereford and Ludlow, our closest large towns, have many beautiful buildings. Hereford has its fine cathedral which houses the Mappa Mundi and a unique mediaeval chained library and Ludlow has its magnificent castle. Both towns are well worth exploring.
National Trust Properties
Herefordshire has four National Trust Properties but there are several others worth visiting within easy driving distance of Eardisland. Please follow the links below for further information. The nearest to Eardisland are:
Croft Castle
Six miles north of Eardisland.
Berrington Hall
3 miles north of Leominster on A49
National Trust Properties website: Click here
Westonbury Mill Water Gardens
This two acre garden is laid out around a tangle of streams and ponds behind an old corn mill. In 2008 the garden was featured in Coutry Life, The English Garden, Country Living, and the Telegraph Magazine. The Bottle Dome was featured in the national press and on television in 2007 and is now finished and open.
There is a delightful cafe selling light meals and refreshments all day and there is a good selection of plants for sale. You are assured of a warm welcome when you visit.
Location: two miles west of Pembridge on the A44, 5 miles from Eardisland.
Open: 1st April to 30th September
Contact: 01544 388650
Website: Click here
Mortimers Cross Water Mill
Eighteenth-century stone-built watermill, registered ancient monument. Site of the Battle of Mortimers Cross, 1461. Small exhibition of the battle with models, maps and video show. Call for opening times.Telephone 01568 708802
Location: 6 miles north of Eardisland just off the A4110 on the B4362 (near the crossroads).
Leominster Folk Museum
Leominster Folk Museum in Etnam Street, has collections of many artefacts that illustrate local life.
Leominster Folk Museum also has on display a burial from the bronze age and a collection of early postage marks and stamps of Leominster. Since the Museum opened in 1972 Leominster Folk Museum has purchased a Victorian stable which had belonged to the house next door. An extension has also been built to house a complete cider mill which was bequeathed to the Museum.Admission is free.
Telephone 01568 615186 for further details or to confirm opening times
Website: Click here
Hergest Croft Gardens
Hergest Croft Gardens is located on the outskirts of Kington, 12 miles west of Eardisland on A44. Well worth visiting at any time of year but particularly during the autumn months when the colours are spectacular.
Four distinct gardens extend over 50 acres, with over 4000 rare shrubs and trees.
Described as 'one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in Britain', the gardens are sure to delight everyone.The Kitchen Garden contains an avenue of ancient apple trees over a riot of bulbs in spring, with magnificent 120 foot double herbaceous borders, an old-fashioned rose garden as well as a traditional fruit and vegetable garden.
The Edwardian House is surrounded by many special plants, including magnolias, cherries and hydrangeas. The croquet lawn is enclosed by tall yew hedges containing vases of sweetly scented lilies in summer.
One of the special features of Hergest Croft Gardens are the woodland gardens set in a ravine. Beautiful in the spring when the mature rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom and even more spectacular during the autumn.
Contact: Telephone 01544 230160
Website: Click here
Burford House
Uniquely situated where three counties meet, the 7 acres of lawn and stunning borders of Burford House Gardens sweep along the banks of the picturesque River Teme.
Originally designed by the late John Treasure in 1952 around an early Georgian house, now an interior furnishings shop, the gardens contain the National Clematis Collection, along with around 2000 other kinds of plants, including the magnificent Wisteria "Burford", which in May cascades spectacularly down the back of the house. A Georgian turfed bridge spans the river and leads to a wildflower meadow, offering contrast to the intensively nurtured gardens around the house.
Contact: Telephone 01584 810777
Directions: Burford House is on the A456 1 mile west of Tenbury Wells, 16 miles from Eardisland.
Website: Click here.
Hampton Court
Hampton Court is a beautiful historic house near Leominster set in over a 1000 acres of parkland. You may confuse the name with its more famous counterpart - Hampton Court Palace on the River Thames. Not as grand or as royal but still an illustrious house with a fascinating history.
The gardens are open to the public and were recently redesigned by Simon Dorrell of Bryan's Ground, near Presteign.
Please vist their website for detailed information about opening times and directions.
Website: click here.
