Golden Valley - come and adventure in wonderland

There’s almost something enchanted about Herefordshire’s Golden Valley as it winds its way sheltered between the Black Mountains and the banks of the River Dore. With Hay-on-Wye a close neighbour to the village of Dorstone, the valley winds down through Peterchurch, Vowchurch and Abbey Dore to Ewyas Harold at the south of the Golden Valley. These time-forgotten villages are set in some of the most untouched Herefordshire countryside you could ever hope to see.

The Golden Valley in Herefordshire is one of those places – it has a certain something that you just can’t put your finger on. You could call it a wonderland.

Glorious guest accommodation and bed and breakfasts, many secluded and all friendly, make the Golden Valley a special place to stay. With many B&Bs and Inns using local produce, it’s a great place to indulge in fresh, locally produced food. So whether you are camping or caravanning at our spectacular Holiday Parks or staying in a yurt, there are plenty of places to eat, buy and enjoy.

Why not visit The Temple Bar Inn where the Temple Bar’s Chef sources fresh seasonal food supplies for the bar and restaurant menus locally, and the menu changes weekly. Whilst not always essential, booking a meal in the restaurant is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Maybe some of that enchantment rubbed off on ‘Alice’ author Lewis Caroll when he visited his brother who was vicar at Vowchurch. Or perhaps C.S. Lewis – who was also smitten – truly captured the feel of the place in his Chronicles of Narnia.

One thing’s for sure, if you’re after an inspirational place for a creative break – to write or paint – the Golden Valley adds a magic touch. Creative Breaks offer day, weekend and longer courses and workshops in the heart of the countryside.

Learn a new skill and explore your creativity with experienced tutors in lovely rural surroundings. For a complete and up-to-date list of members and course dates, please go to www.creativebreaks.co.uk.

The gently rolling countryside is a haven for walkers. Sitting in the majestic lee of the Black Mountains the landscape is a sympathetic mosaic of patchwork fields. A place where the land is put to work, but with sensitivity and care.

There are some fantastic walking routes where you can take in the sights, make the occasional historic stop-off and enjoy the welcome of a country pub. Don’t miss Arthur’s Stone at Dorstone (the oldest man-made structure in Herefordshire) and Dore Abbey.