Shepherd's Gate

Historic Ledbury (10 minutes’ drive) is a charming town with half-timbered buildings lining cobbled streets. Today they are lined with art galleries, designer shops and gourmet delis. The striking 17th-century market is built on stilts, and there are plenty of little museums to keep you entertained. Ledbury is also the springboard to hiking trails in the Malvern Hills (half an hour). Kids can have lots of fun hereabout too, with play areas and farm animals to cuddle at Cattle Country Farm Park (50 minutes), and pony rides or treasure hunts at Newbridge Farm Park (five minutes). Track butterflies on marked trails at Haugh Wood Butterfly Trail (15 minutes) or follow the funky sculpture trail in the Forest of Dean (half an hour), where stained-glass installations glitter among the trees. Fancy sampling some local produce? Why not add a tour of Westons Cider Mill (five minutes) to your stay? You can see where the apples are pressed, fermented and matured into cider, tour the orchards and have the chance to do some serious tasting too.