Shepherd's huts near Hereford with wifi provided

Arranged around a resplendent cathedral and abutting the wending River Wye, Hereford is a handsome, refined and handy small city for launching forays into the fetching surrounding nature. National cycle routes pass through the city, as do long-distance paths like the Wye Valley Way, and kayaking on the River Wye is popular. The northern edge of the Wye Valley AONB is merely a few miles southeast, with many more cycling, walking, kayaking and horse-riding opportunities. Hereford and its surroundings are famed for their cider: don’t miss trying some during your stay at an area campsite.

In the 18th century, the Wye Valley was where modern UK tourism began as people flocked to the picturesque landscapes described in William Gilpin’s Observations on the River Wye. This steep-sided woodsy AONB straddling the England-Wales border begins five miles southeast of Hereford, at Mordiford, then stretches 37 miles south to Chepstow. The region boasts glamping pods, small farm campsites, and motorhome sites, plus some of England’s best kayaking.

July and August are popular, warm, sunny months, when you can expect temperatures to be above 20°C. However, delaying your visit to early autumn, when the weather can still be decent, means you can experience apple harvest season: a 50-mile driving and cycling route around the nearby Herefordshire countryside explores the region’s renowned cider-making hotspots. Hereford’s proximity to the Welsh mountains means wet weather is more likely than in Southern and Eastern England.