Winter Delights: Herefordshire Hampers
Forage for delicious foodie gifts in Herefordshire
Edible gifts from small independent shops and artisan-makers are the perfect way to avoid mass consumerism.
Tour the county's finest delis, wine shops and independent food shops to find the best artisanal produce and make up the perfect hamper for someone special.
Find everything from chutneys, crackers and local cheeses to locally-made ciders, wines and spirits, including a surprising number of gins.
Hereford
The Hereford Deli is the perfect place to start making a foodie hampers. From pickles and preserves to chutney and chocolate, the Deli is known for stocking the best local artisan brands, both established and emerging. And you can enjoy a coffee and patisserie or sandwich - essential research to help fuel your decision-making. Next, browse the bottles at Tanners Wine, including their house gin Hereford Finest Dry Gin and their excellent own label wines, champagnes and sloe gin. On to Mousetrap Cheese on Church Street for a fabulous selection of locally made cheeses and nip into Fodder Wholefoods which specialises in organic products and gluten-free goodies. Pop into The Secret Bottle Shop, an independent wine and spirits merchant with an excellent selection of Chase vodkas and then the Butter Market to find Charcuterie Hereford which sells super Christmas charcuterie hampers.
Cider fans will also appreciate the huge selection of over 150 craft ciders and perries on offer at Museum of Cider's shop.
A ten-minute drive away is Oakchurch, a family-run farm shop, with its fabulous food hall which showcases Herefordshire's products.
Leominster
Start with a trip to Drapers Lane Delicatessen which is a charcuterie, patisserie, and sells hard-to-find and speciality ingredients and accessories. Smaller producers from the Marches feature alongside foodie treats from continental Europe. You can also grab a coffee and cake or try a sharing board. Then it's on to Mousetrap Cheese, which specialises in artisan cheeses, including many local varieties, such as Ragstone, Dorstone and Hereford Sage. Select some wine to accompany from independent merchant Vine & Juniper or perhaps a gin, choosing from over 60 regional tipples. The Happy Fudge Co is tiny but offers a tempting array of flavours for the sweet-toothed.
Head a few miles out of town to find Newton Court Cider to taste and buy excellent local ciders, and then to Monkland Dairy, which makes seven cheeses, including Little Hereford, and offers fantastic cheese hampers. Find local honey, preserves and apple juices at the shop in Queenswood Country Park as well as a wealth of delights in the food hall at Wellington Home & Gardens.
Ledbury
Hay Wines offers an excellent range of wine and spirits, including the best local brands, as does The Wine Shed, whilst Choccotastic is crammed with Belgian chocolate loveliness, from handmade truffles to special Christmas creations.
Fill your basket with tempting delectations from The Deli at Ceci Paolo and from The Nest which is a super spot to pick up foodie treats, alongside plants and architectural salvage, only 5 minutes drive out of town. Favourite Herefordshire brands include Cocoa Connection chocolate, Risbury rapeseed oil, Myrtles chutney and gins from Penrhos and Sly to name a few. It's also worth a festive trip to the well-stocked shop at Westons Cider.
Bromyard
This traditional town is home to the legendary farm shop Legges which is committed to promoting the finest tastes of Herefordshire. Choose from ready-made hampers, including the 'Game Pie Gift Set', 'Boxing Day Survival Box' or have fun making your own.
Up the road, you'll find Little Pomona where you can sample and buy different ciders and perries. Beer lovers will enjoy a brew or two from the Wye Valley Brewery shop including Butty Bach and the Hop Father.
Nearby, the food hall at The Hop Pocket is a treasure trove of local foods, ranging from local crisps to fudge, as has an excellent range of wines, gins and liqueurs.
Ross-on-Wye
Wander up the main street to find Field Fayre, an organic store, run by a mother and son duo. Committed to reducing food miles (as well as plastic) many of their products are hyperlocal, including James Gourmet Coffee which is made 0.8 miles away and Peterstow Honey from 3 miles away. At the top of town, Truffles Deli stocks many local treats, including near 100 different ciders. It also has a tempting cafe. And then Ross Wines is the place to stock up on your favourite vino.
Out of town, you'll find The Food Emporium at Labels which sells everything from speciality teas to locally roasted and ground coffee. Another option is the Pengethley Farm Shop where you will soon fill a hamper.
Whilst in the area, wine connoisseurs must be sure to book a winter wine tasting at Wythall Estate Vineyard whilst gin lovers can craft their own blend at Foxtail Gin.
Kington
Number 25 Delicatessen is a super spot for local treats, from store cupboard staples to speciality foods and drinks. Browse everything from cheese and charcuterie to chutneys and chocolate. As well as local beer, ciders and gins, you'll also find British Cassis and Framboise which are both made a few miles away.
