Penylan Cider Farm

Penylan Farm is almost on the border between England and Wales, close to the village of Ewyas Harold. It’s an area known as Herefordshire’s Golden Valley – lovely countryside that’s great for walking and Laura and Alex have OS Maps, walking boots and lots of suggestions. Ewyas Valley Common is a local favourite spot. You can even take a llama for a walk up there, courtesy of Golden Valley Llamas. For a wander into the Black Mountains, you don’t have to drive far either. The 596-metre peak of Sugar Loaf Mountain provides a three-hour hike that’s not too challenging and offers great views and there are plenty more to choose from within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Abergavenny, 12 miles from site, is a good place to start out on numerous adventures. As well as walking, there’s cycling and boat rides along the Abergavenny-Brecon Canal. You can also get on the water, on the River Wye, at Symonds Yat for kayaking and canoeing (about 20 miles from site). The book town of Hay-on-Wye is 20 miles in the other direction up the river. Oldfield Forge, six miles away, makes for a creative and fun day out too; you can book in to make your own axehead, dagger or even wedding rings.

You don’t need to go far for a good local tipple as your hosts at Penylan Farm also make Ty Gwyn cider right here on the farm. You can order it in advance (along with breakfast hampers, Prosecco or Champagne) or head to the tap room and shop while you're here. And cider is not the only fresh-from-the-farm produce available nearby. About a mile up the road is Rowlestone Farm Ice Cream – where the little ice cream parlour and shop has a huge variety of flavours on sale as well as coffees, paninis and cakes. For lunch or dinner at the pub, head for Ewyas Harold (just over a mile away) where you can choose from The Temple Bar and The Dog Inn, both recommended and within walking distance. There’s also a fish and chip shop in the village as well as a village store and butcher, if you want to cook for yourself. The Bridge Inn at Kentchurch (just over two miles away) is a good spot for riverside dining with a pizza oven and deck overlooking the water and The Kilpeck Inn is a traditional Herefordshire country Inn that’s not too far from site (five miles).