Things to do in Herefordshire Summer Holidays 2024
With the Herefordshire summer holidays 2024 rapidly approaching, it’s time for a list of things to do in the area. Lots of attractions have events taking place this year, both indoors and outside. From family trails to fun days and activity camps, there’s lots to see and do around Herefordshire. If you’re on a budget, check out my post about free things to do in Herefordshire as well.
This post covers the Herefordshire area only. If you are looking for days out during the summer holidays in nearby counties, please see below:
Things to do in Herefordshire Summer Holidays 2024
Berrington Hall National Trust
Enjoy a Summer of Play at Berrington Hall. Look out for family activities and games, den building, a natural play area and of course, ice cream! Borrow sports and play equipment from the Visitor Centre throughout the school holidays.
Dates: 20th July to 1st September 2024
Website: National Trust Berrington Hall
Brockhampton Estate (National Trust)
There are a few things going on at Brockhampton this Summer, which will all make it a lovely place to visit during the school holidays. Choose from:
- Summer of Play: Outdoor activities and games for the whole family including free balance bikes and sports equipment to borrow from reception.
- Hidden world of the hedgerow: Children’s summer trail allowing children to learn about creatures living in the orchard’s hedges.
- Pond dipping: Explore Grove Pool and the wildlife living beneath its surface.
Dates: Summer Trail & Summer of Play – 20th July to 1st September 2024. Pond dipping – 25th July to 29th August 2024.
Website: National Trust Brockhampton.
Croft Castle (National Trust)
Croft Castle’s Summer of Play is all about burning off steam outdoors. Explore nature, take part in games and activities and use your imagination to create an adventure in the natural play area. Enjoy the mini castle play area, play garden games and borrow sports and play equipment from the visitor reception. Visitors can also follow the whimsical woods summer holidays trail, discovering the whimsical woodland creatures that live in the gardens and grounds of Croft Castle. The trail costs £3 per child in addition to the entry fee and includes a prize, activity sheet and colouring pencils.
Dates: 20th July to 1st September 2024.
Website: National Trust Croft Castle
Review: Plutonium Sox review of a dog friendly family day out at Croft Castle
Eastnor Castle Herefordshire Summer Holidays 2024
Eastnor Castle has loads of events planned for the Summer as always. This is very local for us and we go relatively regularly. All the events are brilliant and you can easily fill the day there as a family. The castle and grounds are super dog-friendly too! During the summer holidays, there are events taking place both at the castle itself and in the adjoining deer park. Tickets need to be booked in advance for all events and often sell out early.
- Sunday 21st to Thursday 25th July: Dinosaur show with a lifelike, roaring T-Rex
- Sunday 28th July to Thursday 1st August: Wild play including bug hunting, mud kitchen, rope trail and den building
- Sunday 4th to Thursday 8th August: Learn some circus skills and clown around with Thomas Trilby
- Wednesday 7th to Sunday 11th August: Lakefest music festival
- Sunday 11th to Thursday 15th August: Animal encounters with a range of exciting and exotic animals
- Sunday 18th to Thursday 22nd August: Dance workshops for kids take place throughout the day
- Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th August: Malverns Classic mountain bike festival
- Sunday 25th to Monday 26th August: Woodvilles Medieval living history camp with cooking, crafts and combat
- Sunday 25th to Thursday 29th August: Knight and princess school with medieval princess shows and foam sword fighting
- Saturday 31st August: Fireworks Champions – 4 of the best firework companies set of 10-minute long displays set to music
- Sunday 1st September: Family fun day with garden games and a large zip wire on the castle’s lawn
Website: Eastnor Castle
Review: Plutonium Sox review of a dog friendly family day out at Eastnor Castle.
Goodrich Castle, Ross-on-Wye
There’s a summer quest taking place at Goodrich Castle for Herefordshire Summer holidays 2024. The property’s trusty guard dog Noble has lost his shadow. Young visitors can help him to find it by following a trail around the grounds to search for it. Entry to Goodrich Castle is free for English Heritage members but if you’re not a member, it’s worth booking online before you visit because you will save 15% on the cost.
Dates: 1st July to 1st September 2024
Website: English Heritage Goodrich Castle
Review: Plutonium Sox review of a dog friendly family day out at Goodrich Castle.
Halo Leisure, Various Locations
Summer holiday activities vary between Halo leisure centres but they all have plenty going on to keep families fit and healthy. Their holiday activities page is a useful resource for days when you’re short of things to do. They have sports facilities in:
- Hereford
- Ross
- Leominster
- Ledbury
- Bromyard
Activities include swimming, tennis and soft play.
Website: Halo Leisure.
King’s Camps, Hereford Summer Holidays 2024
If you are looking for a summer camp where children can go and have fun while you’re at work, King’s Camps might be just what you’re after. Based at Hereford Cathedral school in the centre of town, the camps keep kids busy, active and safe.
Over 30 games and sports are on offer. They take kids from as young as three all the way up to 17 in three separate groups.
Dates: 5th to 9th and 12th to 16th August 2024.
Website: King’s Camps.
Oaker Wood Leisure, Kingsland
Oaker Wood Leisure near Kingsland offers outdoor pursuits in a woodland setting. Families can enjoy a variety of activities, including Paintball, High Ropes, Quad Trekking, Escape Room, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Rafting, Low Ropes, Team Building, Assault Course, It’s a Knockout and Target Shooting. During the summer holidays, Oaker Wood also offer multi-activity days for 7-12 year olds and teen activity days for those aged 11-16.
Holiday Club Dates: 29th to 31st July, 1st, 5th to 8th, 12th to 15th, 19th to 22nd and 27th to 29th August 2024.
Website: Oaker Wood.
Small Breeds Farm Park, Kington
The Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre in Kington is open throughout the Herefordshire summer holidays and you don’t need to book. Their attractions include:
- Owl centre
- Small breeds farm park featuring miniature goats, sheep, donkeys, ponies and other animals
- Waterfowl and poultry
- Small animals including guinea pigs, rabbits and red squirrels
- Tea room
- Gift shop
This is a lovely day out for all ages. Little ones always particularly enjoy seeing the small breed animals. Further information about the Small Breeds Farm Park including opening times is on their website.
The Viking Games, Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire Summer Holidays 2024
As you may expect, The Viking Games offers a fantastic selection of group activities inspired by the Vikings. See if you have the agility and ability to be a Viking warrior by playing one of these traditional Nordic games, or all six:
- Axe throwing
- Bullrings
- Archery,
- Kubb
- Stige
- Molkky
Website: The Viking Games.
Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, Miniature Golf and aMazing Hedge Puzzle – Symonds Yat West
Combine these three fun attractions for a complete day out. Discounted tickets are available for each one when you visit the others.
With a romantic temple in the middle and more than a kilometre of hedges, the Jubilee Maze is one of Britain’s most well-known traditional hedge mazes. It was planted in 1977 by Lindsay and Edward Heyes.
The tropical, indoor Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo is teeming with exotic butterflies from around the world. Observe their fascinating lives up close and witness each stage of their development. From egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis and butterfly.
Wye Valley Miniature Golf offers a twelve-hole retro-style Roman ruin course with all-weather artificial-turf fairways and adventure golf features for all ages. It is accessible for wheelchair users with assistance, and features ball-lifting aids and soft or short putters, so even a toddler can play.
