Leominster – the epitome of old English charm

Set in the heart of the Herefordshire Marches, Leominster sits halfway between Ludlow in Shropshire and Hereford at the heart of Herefordshire. Out of all the Herefordshire market towns of Bromyard, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye and Kington, Leominster is best known for its medieval black and white buildings and antique shops – and there’s plenty more to keep visitors occupied in a quintessentially English town in the north of Herefordshire.

View Leominster's car and coach parking.

Not only is Herefordshire the home of Hereford Cattle, it is the historical home of Ryeland Sheep – a breed famed for producing top-quality wool. Discover how this “Lemster Ore” became a textile trade phenomenon in the middle ages.

Drive, or bus, the Black and White Trail – a 40 mile circular tour – and see hundreds of original 16th and 17th Century timber-framed buildings. The stunning Black and White villages of Dilwyn, Weobley, Eadisley, Lyonshall, Eardisland and of course the market town of Kington are gems. Visit Leominster Priory, a place of gathering for over 1350 years where you can reflect on medieval justice – with a look at one of England’s last surviving ducking stools, or take the innovative tablet tour to discover the secrets of the Grade II* listed timber-framed market hall built by John Abel in 1633, Grange Court, just off the centre of Leominster.

There’s ample opportunity amongst the picturesque scenery for walkers to stretch their legs and cyclists to roll their wheels. Now a Walkers are Welcome town, B&B, guest house, hotel and self catering owners go that extra mile for their customers.

For a designed outdoors, the National Trust’s Berrington Hall boasts Capability Brown’s last landscape garden design and Croft Castle is on the doorstep. And for those families who like to enjoy Herefordshire’s finest range of leisure facilities cleverly sculpted into the beautiful countryside, Grove Golf and Bowl has two distinct golfing loops of nine holes, an eight lane ten-pin bowling centre, a restaurant and snack bar as well as a floodlit driving range. Go for it!

If the drama of an auction room fires you up then drop into the Brightwells fine art, vehicle, equine and specialist sale rooms. Or if you’ve a nose for antiques hunt out some heritage hardware amongst Leominster’s many antique shops.