Home From Home: A Stay at Hergest Lee, on the Wales/Hereford border.

As I took the series of A roads that led me from the Midlands, through the Shropshire Hills and finally to the Hereford/Wales border I was pondering on the same trip I took earlier in the year. Spring can sometimes signify fresh promise and unfurling of energy and I remember having pulled up to Hergest Lee having been camping with a few people I had met on a Facebook group and being excited to see what the year ahead held. And here I was at the tail end of the year, desperate for a break having had the year not go quite as planned.

I was heading to Hergest Lee to photograph and write a weekend away feature and felt fortunate that the brief was a cosy winters stay - often when working on a feature like this it can be a race to get the content shot and to explore enough places to write about. But I really allowed myself to lean into this feature, knowing that whatever I did was enough - because that was the whole vibe I was trying to portray. Not rushing around, not fraught - just slow and kind.

Hergest Lee is a residence in a small hamlet, close to Kington, Herefordshire, that offers two accommodation bolt holes - the Lean To and The Cabin. While I stayed at the photogenic lean to last time it was The Cabin I was checking into this time, on a chilly, overcast winters day. As I climbed the steps to the cabin I was instantly hit by how inviting it looked and closing the door behind me I marvelled at the view outside of the large windows.

The bath was calling me instantly and I set to work getting it running and getting settled in by boiling the kettle and finding some thick socks to wear. The cabin is designed with functionality in mind - with modular furniture that fits perfectly and the ceiling shape that mimics the hill opposite.

Heating panels on the ceiling meant I felt toasty and warm as I moved around the cabin and while I had planned to look for a cosy pub that evening I couldn’t quite bring myself to leave.

The next morning was a slow one in the cabin, it was lovely to wake up to the view of the hill but it was time to head out. Here’s what I did for my short weekend stay outside of the cabin:

A trip to Presteigne.

The nearby town of Presteigne is so pretty and has so much history. I took a walk along the nature reserve and river and then headed out to the streets to have a look around. There are some lovely antique shops and Wild Thyme is a lovely place for a coffee and a bite to eat. Something you need to know about the area is most places are only open a few days a week between Weds-Sat so check timings before you go!

Lunch at The Riverside at Aymestry.

I had the most delightful lunch at The Riverside - a lovely Tudor building that is welcoming and cosy all in one. The sourdough bread with cultured butter was so comforting and I had a delicious salad all washed down with a delightful hedgerow aperitif.

Vinyl and book shopping at Hay on Wye.

I love Hay on Wye - there’s so much to see and do and there are so many wonderful shops to look round. I particularly love the record shops, especially Tom’s Records. There are also a good choice of cafes. My favourite is The Old Electric Shop, there’s some excellent nibbles available and an absolutely brilliant selection of gifts and homeware. Newly opened The Treehouse Cafe is across the bridge over the Wye and offers the most excellent coffee and friendly service.

Antique shopping in Leominster.

My absolute favourite place to go antique shopping - there are an array of places to go, crammed with antiques. I always head for the large antique centre on Broad Street because it’s reasonably priced, I’ve found the owners to be really friendly and I love, love, love the offerings in the garden and conservatory.