Things to do in Herefordshire Summer Holidays 2023
With the Herefordshire summer holidays 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 2023
Berrington Hall National Trust
During the 18th and 19th centuries, well-known authors like Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm published some of the most well-known fairy tales. This summer, visit Berrington for a Georgian storytelling trail. Find the different storybook settings using your trail pack, then make up your own fairy tale!
During the Herefordshire summer holidays from 26th July to 3rd September, this trail will be open every day. A colouring page, coloured pencils, and a prize are all included in the £3 trail packs.
On 9th and 30th August, visitors can also go pond dipping with the ranger team in Berrington’s lake. Explore the variety of wildlife that resides below its surface.
More information about both events is available on the Berrington Hall Website.
Brockhampton Estate (National Trust)
This summer, visit Brockhampton for some mediaeval fun. Experience life in Brockhampton during the early days of the construction of the mediaeval manor house. Discover all the trail points and investigate the various ways people passed their time in the fifteenth century, from playing mediaeval games to working the land.
This trail will be open every day of the summer holidays, from 26th July to 3rd September. A colouring page, coloured pencils, and a prize are all included in the £3 trail packs.
On 27th July and 24th August, the ranger team will be at Grove Pool in Brockhampton to help visitors discover the creatures living there. There are compost toilets and seating, and wellies are recommended. This is a free activity and normal admission applies.
For more information about both events, head to the Brockhampton website.
Croft Castle (National Trust)
Join the search for the golden apple hidden in Croft Castle’s grounds. Pick up your trail pack and enter the gardens, looking for apples and ladders that may lead to clues that will aid you in your adventure. If you’re not careful, snakes that are slithering near the paths may try to send you back to the start as you explore.
This trail runs daily throughout the Herefordshire summer holidays, from 26th July to 3rd September. A colouring sheet, coloured pencils, and a prize are all included in trail packs, which cost £3.
From 29th July to 5th November 2023, an Apple Art Hunt takes place at Croft Castle. The Apples & People programme is a partnership between the Brightspace Foundation, The Museum of Cider Hereford, and the National Trust in Herefordshire. It explores the meanings of the fruit through a variety of artworks, including sculptures, paintings, glassworks, and music. Visitors can explore the fruit in unexpected places around the castle, church, grounds, and gardens.
For more information on visiting and the above events, head to the Croft Castle website. You can also read our review of a dog friendly family day out at Croft Castle.
Eastnor Castle
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. Full details and booking information are on their website. Tickets need to be booked in advance for all events and often sell out early. If you’re visiting, you may be interested in my review of a family day out at Eastnor Castle. A summary of this year’s events is below.
- Sunday 23rd July: Outdoor theatre performance of Bad Dad by David Walliams
- Sunday 23rd to Thursday 27th July: Dinosaur show with a lifelike, roaring T-Rex
- Sunday 30th July to Thursday 3rd August: Learn some circus skills and clown around with Thomas Trilby
- Sunday 6th to Thursday 10th August: Dance workshops for kids take place throughout the day
- Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th August: Lakefest music festival
- Sunday 13th to Thursday 17th August: Animal encounters with a range of exciting and exotic animals
- Sunday 20th to Thursday 24th August: Wild play including bug hunting, mud kitchen, rope trail and den building
- Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th August: Malverns Classic mountain bike festival
- Sunday 27th to Thursday 31st August: Knight and princess school with princess shows and foam sword fighting
- Sunday 27th to Monday 28th August: Woodvilles Medieval living history camp with cooking, crafts and combat
- Sunday 3rd September: Family fun day with garden games and a large zip wire on the castle’s lawn
Goodrich Castle, Ross-on-Wye
Characters from centuries past are at Goodrich Castle this Summer. On 27th and 28th August, visitors will meet people from the past as they step into medieval England. Whilst the event only takes place on those two dates, the castle is open throughout the summer holidays. Entry is free for English Heritage members. For more information, admission prices and to book, head to the Goodrich website. You can also read my 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.
King’s Camps, Hereford
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. Full information, dates and prices are on the King’s Camps website.
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. Summer camp dates haven’t yet been released but will soon be available on the Oaker Wood website.
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
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
Full details of all activities are on The Viking Games website, along with opening times and booking information.
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.
