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Black & White Villages

A small slice of heaven

  • Medieval villages with the prettiest half-timbered buildings
  • Quiet roads, passing hopyards, orchards & farmland
  • Situated in the north of the county
  • Great to walk, bike or drive
  • Visit in spring for the apple blossom, in autumn for the harvest
  • Take your time and stay along the way

 

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Black & White Trail


North Herefordshire's Black and White Villages are an absolute delight. The timber-framed architecture is brimming with character and the villages peppered with cosy pubs and tea rooms, art galleries and village shops. Make time for riverside picnics, country walks and meandering bike rides. 

This is cider country so a springtime visit will be accompanied by clouds of apple blossom whilst autumn brings the harvest - the perfect time to visit our cider makers and watch cider being made.

Choose How You Visit

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Woman on bike, Pembridge

Black & White By Bike

42 miles Leominster/ Eardisland/ Pembridge/ Weobley/ Dilwyn

Tour our most photogenic ‘black and white villages’ over 1 or 2 days. With cosy pubs, historic churches and riverside picnic spots along the way.

 

View the Route
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Pembridge

Black & White By Car

Take a magical mini roadtrip. Stay at B&Bs and country pubs en route, or base yourself in one of the villages. 

At 37 miles, it's easy for electric cars to do on on a single charge. And there are charging points in Leominster, Kington and favourite black and white restaurant with room, The Riverside at Aymestrey.

View the Route
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Pembridge black adn white shop

Black & White By Bus

Leominster/ Pembridge/ Shobdon/ Eardisland

Take an easy (and sustainable) ride around our pretty Black and White Villages. Arrive in Leominster by train and then take the 496/495 bus service which calls at a series of sublime spots.

 

Read itinerary

The Stars of the Show, Three Must-See Villages

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Broad Street, Weobley
Broad Street, Weobley
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Broad Street, Weobley
Broad Street, Weobley
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The Throne, Weobley
The Throne, Weobley
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Broad Street, Weobley
Broad Street, Weobley
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Lavender Blue with Annie Mac's Tea Room, Weobley
Lavender Blue with Annie Mac's Tea Room, Weobley
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Stawne, Weobley
Stawne, Weobley
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View of St Peter and St Paul church, Weobley
View of St Peter and St Paul church, Weobley

Weobley

  • Pronounced 'weblee', follow the Heritage Trail to see excellent examples of timber-framed buildings, including cruck cottages and Wealden houses, as well as the place where Charles 1st stayed overnight during the Civil War.
  • Look out for the pink and black house.
  • Wander over to the fine church of St Peter and St Paul with its 185 feet high spire.
  • Stroll around the remains of Weobley Castle.
  • Refuel at The Green Bean cafe, Ye Olde Salutation Inn, or Jules Restaurant
     

Black & White Walk: Weobley to Burton Hill

Traverse peaceful fields and climb into a mesmerising hilltop forest, discovering a glorious Elizabethan manor and the remains of a 13th-century fort.

View circular walking route

 

Stay in Weobley

Sleep under the beams in a black and white B&B or village pub in the heart of Weobley.

See accommodation options

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West Street, Pembridge
West Street, Pembridge
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Ye Olde Steppes, Pembridge
Ye Olde Steppes, Pembridge
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The New Inn, Pembridge
The New Inn, Pembridge
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Pembridge
The New Inn from the Market Hall, Pembridge
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The village centre
East Street, Pembridge
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River arrow at Pembridge
River Arrow at Pembridge
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Church of St Mary Belfry, Pembridge
Church of St Mary Belfry, Pembridge

Pembridge

  • Vibrant black and white village, with fine almshouses & characterful 700-year-old New Inn.
  • See the 16th century Market Hall.
  • Visit St Mary's Church and its amazing pagoda-style belfry.
  • Peruse modern art & craft at Old Chapel Gallery.
  • Paddle & picnic at the pebble beach by the bridge.
  • Enjoy delicious food at the nearby Cider Barn Restaurant

 

Pembridge once enjoyed the patronage of the powerful Mortimer family and the prosperity that went along with it. Quintessentially English, picture-perfect timber-framed buildings line the main street, with the house names giving away the buildings’ original uses.

Stay in Pembridge

From a hobbit house to a holiday cottage or camping. 

Check out accommodation in Pembridge

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Eardisland Bridge with black and white house in the background
View of the River Arrow, Eardisland
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Half timbered and brick house, Eardisland
The Manor House, Eardisland
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View of the river, Eardisland
View of the River Arrow, Eardisland
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Hollyhocks, Eardisland
Hollyhocks, Eardisland
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Vintage car, Eardisland
Broome Lane, Eardisland
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Shobdon Church
Shobdon Church

Eardisland

  • Sublime setting on the banks of the River Arrow.
  • Many picturesque black and white houses, including some thatched. Stand on the bridge to see the Old School House (complete with whipping post!) and the Manor House. Along the Leominster Road, see the fine Staick House, dating from c.1300.  
  • Spot the moated Saxon castle mound, the oldest AA kiosk in UK and the medieval church.
  • Pop into the community shop in the unusual 17th-century riverside dovecote.
  • Along the river, find a super spot for stone-skimming and paddling. 
  • Relax in the two traditional country pubs or in Rita's tearooms.

 

 

Black & White Walk: Eardisland to Shobdon Arches

Roam rolling farmland to discover a winsome black and white village, a medieval folly and one of England’s most remarkable rococo churches.

View circular walking route

 

Stay in Eardisland

Pick from black and white beauties  to luxury lodges, all in the heart of the village.

Choose your favourite place to stay in Eardisland. 

Small but Beautiful - Pretty little villages

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Black and white cottages, Eardisley
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Inside the New Strand Shop, Eardisley
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Eardisley
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Eardisley

 

 

Eardisley

  • See the elaborate church font, the work of the Herefordshire School of Romanesque Sculpture.
  • Tram Square is named after the early 19th century horse-drawn tramway which brought Welsh coal to the village.
  • Visit Hurstway Common, a mile away, to see one of the oldest and largest oaks in England.
  • Nearby, call in at Orgasmic Cider or take a detour to Small Breeds Farm & Owl Centre.
  • Stay over in Eardisley, find your perfect rural retreat.
     
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Lyonshall Black & White House
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Cycling through countryside - Lyonshall
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Lyonshall Black & White
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Walking in Lyonshall
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Lyonshall church

 

 

Lyonshall

  • Pop into the delightful hillside church which sits alongside the ruins of the moated castle.
  • See part of Offa's Dyke nearby.
  • Visit the main village which was rebuilt half a mile away from its original site after the Black Death in 1348-50.
  • Look out on rolling fields; some grow blackcurrants for locally-made liqueur British Cassis ( tours available).
  • Stay over in Lyonshall, picking from large holiday homes and smaller cottages.
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Black and white cottage, Dilywn
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Dilwyn
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Dilwyn

 

 

Dilwyn

  • Dilwyn means 'shady or secret place', very apt for its setting in a wooded hollow.
  • Walk on the traditional village green with its black and white cottages, converted from tithe barn (over 300 years old) which houses the tithes  - taxes in kind - that landholders had to pay to the Lord of the Manor and the church Rector.
  • Visit St Mary's Church which dates from late 12th century.
  • Eat at the original forge, now a tea room & gallery, or at The Crown Inn.
  • Stay near Dilwyn, find perfect accommodation close to the village.
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Tandem through Kingsland

 

 

Kingsland

  • Take in the Church's high, ornately decorated, barrel-vaulted chancel roof 
  • Relax on the wide green with its handy benches
  • Call in at the two enticing black and white pubs, The Corners Inn and The Angel
  • Pop into Kingsland Stores for toasties, cakes and homemade goodies
  • Stay near Kingsland

Explore More

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Weobley

Stay in a black & white

For the full half-timbered experience, then be sure to stay under the beams in a black and white cottage, barn, village pub or B&B.

Read more

 

 

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Child skipping past The Throne, Weobley

2-Day Family Escape

For Harry Potter fans, our tiny, Black and White villages will conjure up Godric’s Hollow vibes. And they are definitely home to many magical moments, no wands required!

Read More

 

 

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weobley

Rest your head in a country pub or B&B

Find a charming place to stay on the Black and White villages trail, from award-winning gastropubs to friendly farms.

Find out more