Weobley (pronounce it by ignoring the ‘o’!) is just 20 minutes from the Welsh border, in the heart of rural Herefordshire. This border has been significant right through British history. The Romans had a huge camp nearby when they tried to subdue the Welsh and from the 12th century the Normans built a chain of castles (we’ll show you one of them) to hold the line. Our own castle in Weobley was destroyed during the civil war in the 12th century when Stephen and Matilda slugged it out for the throne of England, but we still can walk and play on the great ramparts and look down the street at our magnificent church, started in the Norman times. We hope you will join us there for our Sunday worship but you would also be welcome in Weobley’s Roman Catholic church or Methodist chapel. Stones from the castle were cheerfully recycled by the villagers of the time and form the basis of many of our famous mediaeval half-timbered houses. But when Weobley was voted the Best Village in Britain it was not just because of its beauty but also for its warmth of community spirit. We’d love you to come and share some of that warmth and see the glorious countryside which surrounds us.

Herefordshire these days is a peaceful place. If you like food and drink you’re in for a treat! Weobley offers you tearooms where you can sample home-made scones with cream and jam from local fruit, excellent meals in our three pubs and a restaurant which draws eager diners from miles around. Mostly, however, we shall cook for you ourselves as our honoured guests. This is cider country (try our apple brandy, too) and many small brewers, one of them in Weobley, lovingly produce real ale from local hops.

Hereford cattle were originally bred in a neighbouring village and then transported all over the world, including to the United States. There is a lot of organic farming locally and in Weobley are made delicious organic dairy products and ice creams. Don’t go home without sampling our lamb and the renowned Weobley sausages. One of our farming families would like you to show you their farm and the conservation measures they have incorporated into their farming methods.

You can just take your ease, relaxing and enjoying the beauty and the food, but we also plan to take you out and about. You can be as active as you wish to be! It’s a great area for walking and cycling. And for flying kites or throwing frisbees! We shall show you a selection of the local churches, each one with precious and fascinating features, and our lovely Hereford cathedral. We’ll show you Arthur’s Stone, where 5,000 years ago our ancestors buried their dead. We’ll take you up into the Welsh hills with their wide open unspoilt scenery and you can wander round lovingly tended English gardens. We’ll show you Hereford’s treasure, the ancient Mappa Mundi, and Ludlow castle which was the home of the mediaeval kings of England. Hay-on-Wye is the world centre for second hand books. You could use your whole week just browsing there! You can go shopping for antiques or craft items made by many local artists.

We so look forward to meeting you and giving you a wonderful holiday!

Monday - Arrive in Weobley; settle in to your home for the week, and share an evening buffet supper with your host families.

Tuesday - Morning in Weobley, to include a guided tour of the Museum. Afternoon trip round our group of parishes.

Wednesday - Hay on Wye. Free to wander and browse until lunch, after which we drive up to Hay Bluff. On over Gospel Pass to Llantony Priory and St David Church. Back via historic Arthur’s Stone and the beautiful River Wye at Bredwardine.

Thursday - A guided historic walk through Hereford. Meet for lunch at All Saints. In the afternoon see the famous Mappa Mundi exhibition and the Cathedral where we attend Evensong. Dinner at Jules’.

Friday - Visit Ludlow with its great Castle and  Church, ancient Inns and fascinating architecture; time to shop! Visit Stokesay Castle, a 13th. century fortified manor house.

Saturday - Day out round the Elan Valley. This ambitious series of 19th century lakes and dams was built to provide water for Birmingham. After the fascinating Visitors Centre, time for a picnic lunch, before going on to the Welsh Royal Crystal factory. Dinner in private homes.

Sunday - Church in the morning followed by traditional Sunday lunch and a leisurely afternoon. Dinner with hosts.

Monday - Morning visit to Leonminster for last minute shopping; visit the Palladian Berrington Hall in its beautiful parkland setting. Enjoy Stockton Bury Gardens’ summer colour before a farewell meal together in Weobley.

Tuesday - Friends depart.