White Heron Properties

The following is a guide to local activities in Herefordshire, caterers, wine merchants, restaurants etc which should make your stay at our houses more enjoyable. If you have a particular desire and do not see it on the list then please contact Jo Hilditch on info@whiteheronproperties.com .

Services

Beautician - My Personal Sanctuary can provide you with as many treatments as you require at our properties. The fully qualified and insured staff are at hand for delivering a Beautiful Relaxed Cosy Day in the Country.   My Personal Sanctuary is a service for you and your guests, we do all the hard work and you sit back and relax. All events have a minimum of 4hrs booking time and for any extra therapists it will be 3.5hrs on top of the 4hrs.  www.mypersonalsanctuary.co.uk or enquiries@mypersonalsanctuary.co.uk

Catering – If you want to take the hassle out of catering then we can provide a series of different options.  We recommend that you get in touch with our caterers directly.  Otherwise we can organise it for you for an additional fee. Our two main listed below caterers will need plenty of notice as they get booked up well in advance. If neither of them are available then do please call us as we do know of others, but these two come highly recommended.

James Moss lives on site and has been a professional chef for many years. With his partner Bev who is also your on site housekeeper they can provide you with a fully serviced evening, or alternatively James can supply you with a simple drop off meal eg Lasagne and salad; Thai Chicken Curry and Basmati rice, or perhaps a Boeuf Bourguignonne. Please contact James directly on 01544 340602; or by e-mail on ejamesmoss@yahoo.co.uk  You will find sample menus on the www.thecolloquy.com website.

Eddie Cleal at Rococo Catering has also recently done some work for us at the Colloquy and can supply a very good standard of food and the again waitresses and staff.  Please contact Eddie directly on 0845 6474757 or by e-mail on enquiries@rococo-catering.co.uk or website www.rococo-catering.co.uk. 

Tapas Delivery - you might like to consider a full tapas drop off with www.tapasinabox.com.  We tried them for our huge family Christmas (07) - 28 of us, and found them to be totally delicious. These Tapas Boxes bring together selections of (chilled) cold and hot (frozen) Tapas, that are authentic, exclusive and developed to treasured family recipes.  They can be delivered to the property.

Andrew Darwin Fine Wines 01544 230534. A great selection of wines from the old world and the new. He lives so locally he can probably drop something off for you at any time (within reason!).  For full and further information about his extensive winelist please see www.adwines.co.uk.

Magician - Sebastian Hunt is a member of the Magic Circle and will travel to any of our properties to keep you and your guests entertained during your drinks or supper time. www.sebhunt.com, email magic@sebhunt.com or call 07790 613737

Ice Sculpture - Some of our recent guests asked Worcester based Eddy and Tania Morris to create some wonderful ice sculpture for a celebratory party they were having.  This can include a sculpture of your choice along with delivery and pick up of drip tray on the day after the party.  Telephone 07522 5266543 or www.icefantastic.co.uk

Welcome Pack/Village Farm Shop - Please support Sue and James at Upper Holme Farm Shop in Lyonshall.  They supply all our welcome packs with local produce.  Local fruit and veg alongside home made jams, cakes and other delicacies. 01544 340294 www.upperholme.com

Squash Coaching (Colloquy guests only) - We have an affiliated coach who will come out over the weekend and help you with your game, or start novices from scratch. Tony Cox (UK Level 2 squash coaching certificate and registered member of Squash Wales (www.squashwales.co.uk Tel 01633 681646) has full public liability insurance, can provide rackets and balls and coaching can be in groups or on a one to one basis at a price of £20 per hour.  Tony Cox 01544 260400 (day); 01544 267797 (eve) tonycox1@googlemail.com.

Taxis – Access Taxis 01544 267739 www.accesspresteigne.co.uk Local taxi company that know all our properties well, which is useful when you live in the depths of the countryside as we do!

Police – West Mercia 08457-444888

B and B Accommodation - The Croft in Lyonshall is a good alternative for any overspill from our properties or for guests who want to come for just one night.  Annie and Roy are the owners and the number is 01544 340312, or e-mail on thecroft2@btconnect.com; or you could try Lowe Farm which is about 2 miles towards Shobdon, and again is a lovely award winning environment.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES/PUBS/ RESTAURANTS/THINGS TO DO

Sporting/Corporate Activities

As a general overview of Herefordshire and its amenities and activities you may like to try www.visitherefordshire.co.uk.  Below is a selection of local activities,sports and suppliers that we would highly recommend.

Activities - www.ultimate-activitycompany.co.uk will help you organise any activity including canoeing, gorge walking, quad biking, go karting, mountain touring, biking and can co-ordinate the whole itinerary to suit your party. Based in Hereford.

Art - Filbert arts experiences exist to create imaginative and artistic solutions to team building, party events and art courses.  For an inspirational, creative and imaginative experience with a "great artist" (impersonator) then we would highly recommend this interesting approach to team building, or just for a party.  For further information please see www.filbert-arts.com/links

Art Local Gallery Pembridge - The Old Chapel Established in 1989 by Yasmin Strube, Old Chapel Gallery has become recognised as a centre of excellence for the arts, where work by both reputable local and nationally known artists and makers can be seen alongside innovative work by talented newcomers. The emphasis is on quality and originality, from glass, ceramics, jewellery, iron-work, sculpture, furniture, to textiles and knitwear and a diverse range of original watercolours, oils, pastels, etchings and aquatints. Friendly and knowledgeable staff are always on hand to welcome you and make your visit informative and memorable. Website is  www.oldchapelgallery.co.uk Tel: 01544 388842 Open Monday - Saturday 10 - 5.30 and Sunday 11 - 5.30

Buff Butlers - fancy a buff butler for your henparty? www.buffnakedbulters.co.uk. They provide hunky buff butlers across the country, 0121 288 1688 or visit their website.

Canoeing – Wye Valley Canoe Centre, www.wyevalleycanoes.co.uk, Glasbury-on-Wye, Hereford Tel: 01497 847213 A must on a nice day with beautiful black mountain scenery all around. Costs variable and depending on how far you go. Lots of picnic spots along the way.

Flying Lessons – Shobdon Airfield 01568 708369. About 5 miles away - adventure for those who love the skies with helicopter, glider or aeroplane lessons.

Golf – Kington Golf Club, Kington 01544 231320. This golf course will simply take your breath away. Views of 7 counties from the highest golf club in England; and also some fairly strenuous walking over hilly terrain. Buggies can be hired. Hazards include gorse, bracken and marauding sheep. Green fee approximately £23. Tee times can be booked in advance www.migc.co.uk/kington_golf_club.html

Indoor – E S Promotions 01536 310520 delivered games including Scalextric, Casino and giant games. www.es-promotions.com

Hiking – Offas Dyke Path 01547 528753 Loads of fabulous walking all around us including Offas Dyke. www.offas-dyke.co.uk

Karting – Border Kart Racing, Presteigne 01544 327006. Great fun on the go-karts around a well organised track. www.kinsham-raceway.co.uk

Lifechanging Actitivities - www.lifechangingactivities.com.  This remarkable outdoor company run by an ex army trainer can offer a variety of activites through other local providers - canyoning, abseiling, potholing, high ropes, gorge walking, corporate training, stag and hen parties, canoeing, raft building, life coaching, corporate training etc.  For further information please call Michael Downey on 01989 566672 or 07854 819142.

Mountain Biking – Clive Powell, Rhayader. 01597-811343 Guiding and rental in seriously steep and beautiful terrain www.clivepowell-mtb.co.uk

Mountain Biking and Bike Hire – Mountain biking: Wheely Wonderful Cycling, Eltham, Near Leintwardine 01568- 770755. More local rental with guidance on routes - friendly folk. www.wheelywonderfulcycling.co.uk

Mountain Boarding – Tillington, 04132-760261 www.courtfarmleisure.co.uk Good fun for winter snowboarders, pros and beginners alike (take out insurance!)

Oaker Wood Leisure - Kingsland 01547530711 www.owlactivities.co.uk. wonderful woodland adventure land for kids and adults alike, including quadbiking, trekking, paintballing, teambuilding challenges, clay pigeon shooting, abseiling, rope climbing, rafting, borneo breakout, low ropes and high rope tree trekking in 175 acres of Herefordshire woodland.  Only 15 minutes away, this is a wonderful day, or half day's entertainment for Team Building, family groups or children’s birthday parties. Oaker Wood Leisure can also bring team building activities including Inflatable Its a Knock Out direct to you at the Colloquy.

Pottery - Eastnor Pottery & The Flying Potter offers hands-on pottery workshops for groups and individuals. Adults, children and family sessions available all year round. Fully mobile, potter’s wheel, ‘we come to you’ or why not visit the studio on the idyllic Eastnor Castle Estate. Prices start at £20 a head and sessions can be arranged by contacting Jon Williams admin@eastnorpottery.co.uk  Tel: 01531 633886 www.eastnorpottery.co.uk

Quad Biking – Trace and Vicky Phillips, Hillbrook, Craswall, Longtown, Herefordshire, HR2 0PH 01873 860291 A longish drive but through beautiful countryside and well worth the journey. www.mountainmayhem.com

Rally – Phil Price Rally School, Knighton 01547-550300 Excellent off-road rally training www.philprice.co.uk

Riding – www.tregoydriding.co.uk – situated at Glasbury just the other side of Hay-on-Wye and very close to the canoeing start point if you wanted to try to combine the two activities 01497 847351

Shooting – Griffin-Lloyd Shooting Ground, Knighton 01547-550634 Clay pigeon ground www.griffinlloyd.co.uk - I have just enjoyed a fantastic introduction to shooting myself, with the brilliant coach Andy Herridge.  Wonderfully imaginative stands creating simulated pheasants, pigeons, rabbits, teal, snipe up a beautiful narrow wooded valley.  Great fun for the hens, or stags!

Squash Coaching (Colloquy guests only) - We have an affiliated coach who will come out over the weekend and help you with your game, or start novices from scratch. Tony Cox (UK Level 2 squash coaching certificate and registered member of Squash Wales (www.squashwales.co.uk Tel 01633 681646) has full public liability insurance, can provide rackets and balls and coaching can be in groups or on a one to one basis at a price of £20 per hour.  Tony Cox 01544 260400 (day); 01544 267797 (eve) tonycox1@googlemail.com..

Swimming/Gym/Squash – East Radnor Leisure Centre, Broadaxe Lane,. Presteigne, Powys, LD8 2AY 01544 260302 Well heated indoor pool – call for timings. They also have a ball park for kids, gym and further squash courts

Or The Burton Hotel in Kington which has a indoor pool, hot-tub, sauna, sunbeds, steam room and a huge gym.  £15 for a day's entry.. The hotel itself is in need of an uplift, but the brand new leisure centre is very well appointed. www.hotelherefordshire.co.uk/leisurecentre.html.

Tennis – Leominster Leisure Centre, Bridge Street, Leominster 01568 612540 Indoor and outdoor tennis courts www.herefordshire.gov.uk

Pubs and Restaurants (our ratings in brackets)

The Bell Inn Yarpole 01568 780359.  This used to be excellent but untested since new owners - 2010 www.thebellinn.co.uk

Boat Inn (**) Whitney on Wye 01497 83122 Good food with a lovely view onto the River Wye www.wyefoundation.org/whitney.htm

Bridge Inn - Michaelchurch Escley 01981 510646 A good pit stop on the way to walking in the black mountains

The Clive (***) Ludlow 01584 856665. Used to be excellent food as The Cook House – not recently tried

The Drawing Room (***) 01982 552493 Builth is one of our favourite restaurants.  This a real jewel of a restaurant run by husband and wife team.  It is a 40 minute drive over the border into Wales just beyond Builth.  Lovely food, and they serve a great Kir Royale, using Jo Hilditch British Cassis. www.the-drawing-room.co.uk

Emily's Tea Rooms & Restaurant, 10 High Street Presteigne Powys LD8 2BA   Tel: (01544) 262108.  This is a lovely small establishment to grab a cup of delicious tea (of which they hold many varieties of Chinese, Indian and Green) and cake, having visited the Judge's Lodgings and wandered round the pretty border town of Presteigne.  Or otherwise they serve delicious dinners in the evening. 

The Royal George (**), Lyonshall - a 2 mile walk across the fields to a very welcoming family pub with good home cooking and a fire usually burning in the hearth.  01544 340084

The Harp (**) Old Radnor, Powys 01544-350655 Great views into Wales and reasonable food too.

The Hat Shop (**) Presteigne, Powys 01544 260017 Quirky and reasonable grub

Hibiscus (***) Ludlow 01584-872325 One of the best of the Ludlow Foodie Cluster

Hyderbad (**) Kington 01544-231999 Friendly people for standard Indian take-away

Jules (**) Weobley 01544 318206 Good character restaurant, reasonable food but with sometimes questionable hosting!

Left Bank (**) Hereford Left Bank Village Bridge Street Hereford 01432 349000. If in Hereford visiting the Cathedral and the Mappa Mundi then this is a good stop off for food at The Castle House Hotel or the Left Bank Cocktail bar with lovely views over the River Wye

Merchant House (***) Ludlow 01584 875438 http://merchanthouse.org/ Another wonderful Ludlow offering but service can be rather stiff

New Inn (**) Pembridge 01544-388427 Food's okay with large portions, service is always friendly, but the building is wonderful 17th century and the beer is good too.

Red Lion (*) Pembridge 01544-388427

Riverside Inn (**) Aymestry 01568-708440 Lovely restaurant on the banks of the River Lugg. Good food – we think.  Near Wheely Wonderful Cycling if you wanted to combine activitiy and lunching.

Royal Oak (*) Gladestry 01544-370669 A bracing 4 mile walk over Hergest Ridge from Kington brings you to this quirky Welsh pub with standard pub food

Stagg Inn (***) Titley 01544 230221 We are very lucky to have this wonderful Michelin starred pub within walking distance and would definitely recommend a visit during your stay www.kc3.co.uk/stagg

GARDENS, HOUSES and LOCAL THINGS TO DO

Black and White Village Tour – A wonderful tour of all our local black and white timbered and unspoilt villages, including Lyonshall, Pembridge, Eardisland, Weobley etc. Eardisland - Award-winning "Prettiest Village"; Weobley – an extraordinary variety of medieval buildings; Pembridge - don't miss the Market Square and detached Church bell tower; Eardisley – with its giant oak tree; Dilwyn – with its village green surrounded by cottages. Add Kinnersley and Sarnesfield, Lyonshall and Kingsland – and, of course, the two market towns of Kington and Leominster – and you have the key elements of the now famous Black and White Village Trail www.lyonshall-village.fsnet.co.uk/home.htm will give you some historic information about our own little village

Bryans Ground – Presteigne 01544 260001 Lovely interesting garden with wonderful yew hedging. Only open at certain times or by appointment

Croft Castle – Mortimers Cross 01568 780246 Beautiful National Trust 17th Century Stone manor house with lovely gardens Open Wednesday to Sunday April to September and Saturday Sunday otherwise. www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_midlands/137/croftcastle.htm

Eastnor Castle Ledbury 01531-633160 Medieval Castle with lots to do! www.eastnorcastle.com

Hampton Court – Hope under Dinmore 01568-797777 www.hamptoncourt.org.uk A castle on the meadows of the river Lugg, backed by a steep wooded escarpment and surrounded by woodland and grounds of 1,000 acres. Founded by King Henry in the early 15th century the castle has been completely restored and the Van Kampen gardens now gaining national acclaim

Hergest Croft, Kington – 01544 230160 www.hergest.co.uk Beautiful rhododendron and azalea woods in late spring and Acers in autumn. Described as 'one of the finest collections of trees and shrubs in Britain', the gardens are sure to delight everyone.

Lawton Hall Herbs, Eardisland 01568 709215 Herb Nursery www.lawtonhall.co.uk

Lingen Nursery and Garden, Bucknell 01544 267720 www.lingennursery.co.uk

The Amazing Hedge Puzzle- Symonds Yat 01600 890360 www.mazes.co.uk Ever since it was planted 25 years ago by brothers Lindsay and Edward Heyes, the fun of the aMazing Hedge Puzzle has made it Herefordshires most popular private tourist attraction.

Whimble Nursery & Gardens, Kinnerton 01547 560413 Unusual plants for sale

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo, Symonds Yat 01600 890360 www.butterflyzoo.co.uk Experience the delight of nature's most serene and beautiful wildlife. At the Bufferfly Zoo you can walk with free flying exotic butterflies and see them supping nectar, finding their mates and laying eggs.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

Courtyard Theatre Hereford 01432-359252 www.courtyard.org.uk/ Films, plays and pantomimes

Judges Lodgings, Presteigne 01544 260650 www.judgeslodging.org.uk/ Fabulously restored Victorian lodgings

Hay-on-Wye 01497 820144 www.hay-on-wye.co.uk Lovely Border market town at the foot of the Black Mountains with a plethora of book and antique shops and a famour literary festival in May.

Herefordshire Tourism, What's On Throughout the county 01432 268430 www.herefordshire.gov.uk or www.visitorlinks.com

Kington Tourism, What's On in and Around Kington 01544 230778 www.kingtontourist.info or www.kc3.co.uk This is our charming local market town with two butchers, two greengrocers (one with excellent fish on a Friday – The Grapevine), Georges Delicatessen, a sports shop, chemist, too many charity shops, post office, banks and a largish Co-op round the back (turn left opposite the school), a couple of hairdressers and a beautician! For further details please enquire info@whiteheronproperties.com

Ludlow Castle 01584 873355 http://www.ludlowcastle.com/ Wonderful castle dating back to the 11th century

Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Hereford Cathedral 01432-374202 www.herefordcathedral.co.uk One of the oldest maps in the country and the historic chained library.

Small Breeds Farm Kington 01544-231109 www.owlcentre.com Your kids will love this farm wildlife park full of everything from llamas, owls, goats, to guinea pigs, ducks, mice and rats!

Wigmore Castle Wigmore www.castlewales.com/wigmore.html Recently renovated by English Heritage,