History
Dating back to the 7th century, Leominster has a rich medieval and Tudor heritage. One of the best places to learn about the history of the area is by paying a visit to Leominster Museum where you can find everything from a Bronze Age burial to a collection of early postage stamps.
The area also boasts an impressive number of old buildings and stately homes. Grange Court is a Grade II listed, timber-framed building and is free to enter, and Dovecote is a distinctive 17th-century building in nearby Eardisland. Berrington Hall is a grand home with a fascinating exhibition detailing the life of a servant below stairs. Brockhampton Estate is an impressive 14th-century manor set in 687 hectares of land to explore. The 14th-century Burton Court is open for guided tours, while Croft Castle is a fantastic place to take a family – with 1,000 years of history and 1,500 acres of woodland to traverse.
Gardens
An ideal destination for outdoor trips, Leominster offers some stunning parks and gardens. Brobury House & Gardens has nine acres of beautiful gardens, Hergest Croft Gardens has a garden for each of the four seasons and Stockton Bury Gardens has a number of medieval farm buildings. Westonbury Mill Water Gardens boast a section of streams, pool and follies.
Antiques and fashion
Leominster is a great place for a spot of antique shopping – the area is packed with curiosity shops and small marketplaces selling vintage items. The Antique Market is a good place to start sifting through the many historical objects on sale, as is Leominster Antique Centre and The Secondhand & Antiques Centre on New Street. For something a little more specialised, The Barometer Shop has an interesting variety of barometers and clocks while The Sheep Shed sells quality hand-made goods manufactured from wool and alpaca hair.
Further afield
Drive east out of Leominster and you'll quickly find yourself in Worcester, a historical town and home to Worcester Cathedral and the Museum of Royal Worcester. Head south and you'll soon reach Hereford, then head southwest and you'll hit the Welsh-English border and Brecon Beacons National Park – a dramatic landscape and a brilliant choice if you're looking to explore the great outdoors.
