There’s nothing like being outdoors in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside on a gorgeous summer day with your friends and family.In a region abundant with beauty spots, it’s all too easy to grab your picnic blanket, a selection of your favourite treats and make a day of it. It’s one of our favourite pastimes too, which is why we’ve put together a list of nine perfect picnic spots for you to discover and enjoy.
Bromyard Downs SatNav HR7 4QJ
Rising to over 700 feet, the Bromyard Downs dominate the local area and form an impressive backdrop to the market town of Bromyard. With spectacular views, it is a peaceful haven with a diverse range of wildlife. Swathed in beautiful bluebells in the spring and opulent orchids in summer it attracts walkers and nature lovers with its peace and tranquillity. An area of outstanding natural beauty and a gorgeous spot for a picnic.
Hergest Ridge SatNav HR5 3TA
Head out to the hills of Kington and you’ll find the wonderful Hergest Ridge, a 1,000 acre common straddling the English-Welsh border. The walks are rather incredible and the panoramic views quite spectacular. Set within the perfect backdrop of blue skies and fluffy clouds, you won’t be able to take your eyes off this beautiful landscape. It’s easy to see why it was a popular destination for the local gentry in Victorian times, they liked a good picnic spot too.
The Black Hill Craswall, Herefordshire HR2 0NL
The beautiful Black Hill also known as ‘Crib y Garth’ is located in the Black Mountains is an absolute must for keen walkers and those who enjoy the outdoors. Rising just west of the village of Craswall, the views are just incredible, looking out across the fabulous Welsh borders. There are plenty of informal vantage points to stop and enjoy your picnic while watching the antics of the red kites, buzzards, kestrels and wild ponies who are regular visitors to the area too.
Garway Hill, Garway, Herefordshire HR2 8RU
If you’re looking for pure ruggedness, wildness and some of the best views in Herefordshire then head up to Garway Hill. From this point there is a view of seven counties, the 360-degree panorama taking in May Hill, The Sugar Loaf, Hay Bluff and Skirrid is both spectacular and breath-taking. It’s a fabulous picnic spot from which to watch the gorgeous White Mountain horses and the abundance of wildlife that resides on the hill, not to mention a perfect summer sunset.
Symonds Yat SatNav GL16 7NZ
The gateway between south Gloucestershire and Herefordshire, Symonds Yat is famed for its beautiful river scenery. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that straddles the River Wye, filled with gorgeous wooded expanses, natural landscapes and captivating wildlife. It’s the ideal spot to bring your picnic blanket, relax and sit by the riverside watching the wildlife and canoeists go by. If you fancy getting more of a bird’s eye view, head up Symonds Yat Rock which towers 120 metres above the river. Here you can look out for the peregrine falcons, goshawks, ospreys and buzzards who all feature here at different times of the year. It’s a magical place with the most wonderful views.
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Haugh Wood Hereford, SatNav HR1 4QX
The ancient woodland at Haugh woods is full of beauty and charm and is a haven for cyclists, walkers, nature lovers and photographers. With over 850 acres to explore of walking, cycling and butterfly trails, this is a popular destination for families and dog walkers and absolutely perfect for a picnic.
The two most popular walks from here are the Three Choirs Way and the Wye Valley Walk which skirt the edge of the woods, however it also links with the Mordiford Loop a circular trail taking you through traditional orchards, woodland and more beautiful countryside.
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Bodenham Lake, Bodenham, Hereford, HR1 3JT
Gorgeous Bodenham Lake is an ideal place for a stroll or just to escape from all the hustle and bustle. With beautiful orchards and lakeside meadows it has long been a favourite amongst wildlife lovers. A real oasis of peacefulness and full of nature and wildlife. So if you’re looking for a fantastic spot to get away from it all and perhaps do a bit of otter spotting too this is the place to go. It really is the perfect picnic location.
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Lea & Paget’s Wood, Hereford, HR1 4PY
One of the finest, ancient, semi-natural broad-leaved woodlands left in the Wye valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Lea & Paget’s Wood is situated in the pretty village of Fownhope. Teaming with wildlife and nature, enjoy watching the woodpeckers, dormice and bank voles go about their business. A peaceful and tranquil place to lay out your picnic blanket, relax and enjoy the great outdoors.
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Wyndcliff and Eagle’s Nest SatNav NP16 6HD
If you enjoy a challenging trek before settling down for a scrumptious picnic then head out to Wyndcliff and Eagle’s Nest. It is one of the most stunning viewpoints in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. The trek up to the viewpoints are not for the feint hearted but once at the top the panoramic views across the lower Wye Valley, the rivers Wye and Severn, Chepstow, the Severn Bridges and the Cotswolds hills are spectacular. It definitely takes picnicking to new heights.
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We hope you enjoy our nine perfect picnic spots this summer.
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