The Best Things To Do In Hereford For Families: Wild Adventures with Kids

Enjoy our inside guide to England’s best-kept secret with ideas for family fun in Herefordshire

Planning the Perfect Family Trip to Herefordshire

Let me start by talking about playing with fire. Stay with me here, it is going somewhere, I promise.

Parenting is a funny old game. Much like a circus juggler, it’s an endeavour to keep a flurry of balls in the air. Some balls are smooth and weighted, with an eye on the future: developing independence, embracing a well-rounded education and so on.

Others resemble the petrol-flamed devil stick that jugglers spin with flair: somehow protecting children from wandering into roads, up ladders, into streams, and towards anything sharp, hot or expensive without wrapping them up in proverbial cotton wool.

I often think of the quote by Neil Postman:  “Children are the living message we send to a time we will not see.”

It’s inspirational. But, let’s face it, it can be hard to live up to. A lot of the time, we’re all just trying to make it to the end of the day in one piece. 

Wye Reflect?

But why am I reflecting on the responsibility and respite of parenting?

Because our half term trip to Herefordshire balanced these things perfectly.

Even, as you will see and perhaps not in the way you imagine it, playing with fire.

If you’re looking for family activities in the UK that get away from the screams of soft play and the screens of daily life, then try climbing trees, skimming stones and sleeping under canvas and a whole lot more.

Herefordshire deserves a closer look.

(And, yes, it has plenty for parents, too. )

Disclosure: some of the activities mentioned were hosted by Visit Herefordshire for review purposes. As ever, as always, we keep the right to write what we like. Otherwise, what is the point?

Herefordshire: The Secret Alternative to the Cotswolds

Often overshadowed by the nearby Cotswolds, Herefordshire offers a wilder, more affordable kind of escape. This is a county of woodland trails, riverside pubs, rugged hill views and outdoor adventures where children can still disappear happily into natural play for hours at a time.

The scenery is every bit as beautiful as its more famous neighbour, but without the polished price tag. Think canoe trips through the Wye Valley, outdoor film nights beside a campsite, burgers made by barbecue champions and medieval maps hidden inside a cathedral.

Add in butterfly encounters, homemade cider, and hands-on blacksmithing, and sparks really will fly. 

So, don’t make the same mistake I made and leave it too late to explore this gorgeous, hidden corner of England. 

Here is our tried-and-tested collection of the best things to do in Hereford for families.

Of course, if the mention of the Cotswolds has already set your mind wandering, then don’t miss our guide to the best things to do in the Cotswolds with kids as well.

Where to Stay: White House Glamping on the River Wye

To be honest, if you stop reading the article right here, by booking into the White House Glamp Site, you have done enough to ensure a fabulous trip with plenty of nature.

Set beside the River Wye on a working farm, this peaceful glamping site combines a proper countryside escape with enough comfort to refresh your body as well as your soul.

Children can spend the day playing in the stream, sketching beside the water, spotting cows in nearby fields and splashing through the shallows of the river.

In the evening, you can rig up an outdoor film screening through the sheet and projector provided. Then toast marshmallows over the fire pit and serve with mugs of piping hot chocolate. 

You wake to birdsong and milking machinery, but without the backache and neck gripes that accompany proper camping once you’ve reached a certain age.

Prep time is reduced, too, since the site provides kitchen equipment, gas-powered stoves, hot-water outdoor showers and washing-up stations, and even the marshmallows and hot chocolate in stout, Instagram-ready glass jars.

For little kids, there’s a wooden adventure playground and music zone, and you show me a child who can resist the challenge of a hammock. 

Make sure to reserve your tipi in advance, as with only six in the field, places do run out.

And if it’s been a while since you’ve slept under canvas, here’s my glamping checklist to help avoid that sinking feeling when you realise you’ve left something important at home.

Stock Up at Pengethley Farm Shop 

Nothing feels quite as nourishing at the start of a trip as stopping off at a farm shop or deli for local supplies.

And Pengethley Farm Shop is one of the best (with some of the best strawberries I’ve ever tasted). In fact, it gives a good snapshot of Herefordshire itself, a place of unfussy charm and surprisingly reasonable prices. 

Located near Ross-on-Wye, you can fill your bags with fresh bread, local cheese, like the Hereford Hop, pastries, sausages and enough snacks to keep the whole family happy after a long paddle on the river.

You’ll find honey, of course, the sweetest sustainable thing you can do to help biodiversity, plus jams that range from Herefordshire Whinberry to a chunky-smooth ginger marmalade. 

It’s particularly useful if you’re staying in self-catering accommodation or at a campsite nearby, especially as many smaller villages in Herefordshire don’t have large supermarkets nearby.

Top tip: check opening hours carefully before you arrive. The shop generally closes in the late afternoon, and I wouldn’t wish a late arrival with children and no dinner plan on anyone. 

The Best Activities for Families in Herefordshire

Now, while I appreciate a good glamp site as much as the next person, eventually you do need to leave it and explore.

Fortunately, Herefordshire makes that easy.

From medieval maps and chained libraries to canoe trips, climbing walls and blacksmithing workshops, we found plenty to keep both children and adults entertained.

Hereford Itself

Type the word Hereford into Google, and you’ll be graced with a photograph of a disgruntled-looking cow. And, yes, while the bovine nomenclature does have origins from this English Cathedral City, the place itself has a lot more to offer than that. 

The Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library

At the heart of the city stands Hereford Cathedral, a stand-in for Hogwarts if you need to shore up enthusiasm in the imagination of your little adventurers. 

Inside, you’ll find the expected stone cloistered walkways and looming stained glass windows – but there’s also something more striking. 

A Real Hogwarts Library

Row after row of chained books, in a library that would have made Snape and Hermione proud. The design was to prevent theft, and this was how most knowledge was stored from the Middle Ages to the 18th century, with this particular library holding 229 medieval texts within a 1500-title collection.  

That makes it one of the largest to survive – a story illuminated by a local volunteer, Susan, who said Hereford Cathedral was spared the devastation of the Reformation for several reasons.

One was that cathedrals were repurposed, unlike monasteries, to the new Church of England. And two, one of Cromwell’s enforcers worked here, rescuing or stealing texts from nearby monasteries, depending on the generosity of your interpretation. 

That background is perhaps more for historically minded adults, but the range of feathers, chains and vellum available to touch and explore will buy you time to hear about the history. (And did you know that vellum comes from calf skin? That’s why the word is similar to veal. And that illuminated texts means painted in silver and gold? It’s surprisingly, well, illuminating.)

The Mappa Mundi and 8th Century Gospels

For all of that, the highlighted texts are no longer in chains. The oldest book in the collection, the Hereford Gospels from the 8th century, is displayed behind glass – the section visible changing every few weeks.

And the magnificent Mappa Mundi stands resplendent within a low-lit glow.

This is the largest known medieval map of the world – and the details are striking. Jerusalem stands at the centre, and you can just about make out the waters of the Ganges, the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. The British Isles look a little squashed into a lozenge, but the fire-breathing animals make for a good game of eye spy. 

The map itself dates to around 1300 AD and is now inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World International Register.

And a cafe rewards the weary with drinks and snacks on a family day out.

Explore Hereford’s Independent Shops and Historic Centre

Right across from the cathedral, follow Church Street to find a bunting-lined narrow walkway of independent shops, cafés and historic buildings. It’s a sunnier version of Diagon Alley with vegetarian options and fine art prints amid the glass-fronted bookshops and bakeries.

Further into the city’s shopping scene, look out for the historic hardware shop of Philip Morris & Son, in a Tudor black-and-white house, with a Tardis-like interior, complete with toys. And take a look at the covered Butter Market for comics, flowers and a spot called the Sneaky Squid.

The compact layout makes it manageable even with littlies, with recognisable car parks on the outskirts of town.

If wandering around compact historic centres is your thing, you’ll also enjoy these wonderfully walkable cities in the UK.

Refuel at The Beefy Boys

If you’re starting to shudder, let me stop you there. These are not your flat, probably sawdust burgers. They are big, juicy and enjoyed by adults and children alike.

The origin story of The Beefy Boys starts on slippery ground for a family outing, “A drunken barbecue that got out of hand“, but swiftly morphs into an inspirational tale, “See, kids, you can follow your passion and make a living out of it!“

Four friends at a barbecue decided to enter Grillstock, a competition in Bristol. Success there led to a place at the Las Vegas World Food Championships, where they sizzled up silver, winning second place.

From there, their hobby became a business, and it’s just been award after award in between the buns.

But what about the food side of things?

Well, I went for the NY Smash with a potato bun, and despite the bold, bright branding, ingredients include organic flour, zero preservatives and local, dry-aged, grass-fed beef for the burgers. (See kids, everyone can do their bit to help the environment, and you shouldn’t judge based on appearances alone!)

And most important of all? It tastes really, really good. 

Canoe the River Wye 

A canoe trip through the Wye Valley is one of the best things to see in Herefordshire with children.

The river here moves gently enough for beginners, winding through woodland and past small riverside villages without the threat of the open sea. Drift beside overhanging trees and look out for birds of prey overhead.

You’ll find several family-friendly canoe hire companies offering routes suitable for younger children.

We headed to YOFI Paddlesports, and it helped that there’s an inn that does a great pub lunch waiting for you on your return. 

To the uninitiated, a canoe allows the whole family into the same vessel, you all have a paddle each, and the chances of capsizing are, I’m assured, fairly slim.

Then Have A Picturesque Riverside Pub Lunch

Ye Olde Ferrie Inn is a traditional riverside pub that sits beside the crossing point of the river and has the sort of relaxed atmosphere that works brilliantly for families.

Children can watch passing canoeists, throw stones into the water and run around, while adults enjoy lunch overlooking the valley. You can watch the ferryman cross the water by hand and tuck into classics like fish and chips or a YOFI burger.

The setting feels wonderfully old-fashioned in the best possible way, with heritage postcards and local Wye gin amid the milk urns and fireplaces. Plus, the place has its own comeback stories after floods took out most of the terrace as Covid hit.

Walk to Symonds Yat Rock

The viewpoint at Symonds Yat Rock delivers one of the finest views in the Wye Valley.

A woodland path climbs gradually uphill before opening onto a dramatic viewpoint high above the river. From here, the Wye loops through thick forest below while birds of prey circle overhead.

Be prepared to carry the littlest, of course, but most children can manage the climb.

Otherwise, try one of the circular walks at the base.

Rainy Day Activities for Families in Herefordshire

“This was England. There was always rain in the future.” Maureen Johnson. 

Now, strangely, over the years, I have only been blessed with sunshine on my visits to Herefordshire. However, we all know reality, and so here’s a collection of things to do on a rainy day in and around Hereford.

Walk Among Butterflies

Inside the tropical butterfly house at the Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, you can really see wildlife up close. Butterflies flutter through lush foliage, landing on tiny hands, hats and pushchairs. Make sure to check yourself for butterflies before you leave – there’s even a purpose-built mirror to give you a helping hand.

Mini Golf with Merlin

Step into the ancient world of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table with this accessible indoor mini golf circuit. Try to pull the sword from the stone while aiming for a hole in one.

Make Sparks Fly at Oldfield Forge

And here it comes. Playing with fire.

So many family attractions involve watching things happen. Oldfield Forge gives a different meaning to the term “hands-on.”

Here, families can join blacksmithing taster sessions and learn traditional metalworking techniques using real tools and real fire.

Under guidance, adults and children alike shape hot metal while learning about one of Herefordshire’s oldest crafts.

Yes. That means glowing, red-hot steel. If that doesn’t drag attention away from screens, then perhaps nothing will.

Mr Lab went for a Viking knife (he still tends to it daily with oil, now, to prevent rust). Baby Lab, meanwhile, went for a Harry Potter wand. 

It’s noisy, practical and memorable. And a complete antidote to any suggestion of mollycoddling. 

Top tip: wear long sleeves, trousers and sturdy shoes. And I would suggest one adult supervises children under twelve rather than have everyone do their own project. I wouldn’t recommend for children under nine – but would highly recommend for everyone else! It’s outstanding.

Get High at Green Spider Climbing

Described as “Hereford’s premier indoor climbing and bouldering wall,” we loved the friendly atmosphere at Green Spider’s.

For bouldering, you clamber sideways or up with a huge crash mat to catch you if you fall. No harnesses.

The climbing walls, on the other hand, have harnesses and belay systems – either human or mechanical. Baby Lab, age nine at the time of trying this, flew up the wall and abseiled down in huge leaps during just one session. 

Me? Recovering from a shoulder injury, I tell you. Content to watch from afar, with a coffee in hand. Feeling, well, old.

For the Adults: Cider Tasting at the Yew Tree Inn

You don’t need to spend long in Herefordshire before noticing the importance of the humble apple: it’s on the council signs, for starters. 

But where you find apples, you find cider, and there’s no better place to shrug off misconceptions from a misspent youth than at the Yew Tree Inn with a tasting session from the Ross on Wye Cider and Perry Cider Company. 

(Of course, if you’re driving, then stock up on some different samples and taste back at the glamp site. Or stay here yourself – Broome Farm has camping, caravan and B&B options.)

Children can run around the large beer garden while adults browse the cider shop or settle in with wood-fired pizza from Firebird Kitchen. There’s enough room outside for games and exploration, making it feel far more relaxed than many formal restaurants.

Look out for Raison d’Etre. Owner Martin Johnson says if they could only make one, forever, it would be this one. I also enjoyed working my way through the seasonal ciders. The spring option is fizzy and light, while the winter one tastes oaky, thanks to warmth from a Penderyn cask. 

More Family Attractions Near Hereford

If you have extra time, we’ve also seen these recommended:

• Eastnor Castle, with its adventure playground, lakeside and woodland walks and seasonal events
• Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum, which combines woodland trails with a children’s play area across more than 120 acres of countryside
• Small animal farms where children can meet llamas and goats
• Activity centres with laser games, high ropes and tree top challenges
• Heritage railways where steam trains still run through the countryside

Plus, you can discover even more ideas for adventurous families with this 5 Day Wild Family Itinerary from Visit Herefordshire.

Why Herefordshire Works So Well for Families

 What makes Herefordshire special is not one major attraction. It’s the combination of river adventures, woodland walks, independent food and genuine space to breathe. Plus, enough rainy-day activities to soothe the angst of planning a visit to England.

For families searching for a short break with adventure, nature and memorable experiences but without the crowds and costs, Herefordshire may be one of the UK’s best-kept secrets.

For another family-friendly escape packed with outdoor adventures, here are some of the best things to do in the Lake District with kids.

More About England

• How to spend a weekend in Harrogate, the spa town of the north
• The best things to do in Brean, Somerset
• Alternative and unusual things to do in the Cotswolds
• The best things to do in Lavenham, England’s prettiest village
• The best things to do in Sandwich, Kent
• The family guide to wild activities in Herefordshire