South Herefordshire

• Three Choirs Vineyard
• Monkland Cheeses
• Goodrich Castle

Starting point: Hereford

Leave Hereford on the A49 northbound for Leominster. This attractive town has many interesting shops and cafés and is well worth a visit. From there, take the A44 westbound for 2 miles to Monkland.

Leave Monkland and retrace A44 to Leominster bypass. Take the A49 south to its junction with the A417, and follow this old Roman Road to its junction with the A449. Cross the A449 and continue on the B4215. Cross over the M50 motorway, and soon you will see Three Choirs Vineyard on your left. The vineyard has many attractions, walks amongst the vines, café and cordon bleu restaurant as well as a shop where the extensive range of wines can be tasted and wine-related gifts purchased.

On leaving Three Choirs, continue along the B4215, and either enter the attractive town on Newent. Or turn right on the B4223. After about 3.5 miles, you reach Junction 3 of the M50. Take the westbound motorway, and its continuation, the A40T. The River Wye winds its way to your right after you pass the ancient town of Ross. Five miles from the end of the M50, turn right down a minor road to Goodrich Castle. The Fortress stands majestically on an old sandstone crag commanding the passage of the Wye. Originally known as Godric’s Castle, it was built in the 12^th century, and has witnessed major incidents in our history. During the Civil War, it was held by Sir Henry Lingen for the Royalists until the threat of undermining, and a deadly mortar known as ‘Roaring Meg’ forced its surrender. It is still remarkably complete and is open to the public most days of the year from 10am.

From Goodrich, return to the A40, turn southbound to the Junction with the A4137, and take this road north to Hereford.

Total distance: 110 miles