Herefordshire is one of England's most rural counties with unspoilt countryside, market towns of distinctive character and a wealth of varied landscapes from a historic city to fascinating villages. It has a wide choice of delightful holiday cottages to use as a base to explore the area.

Herefordshire lies on the Welsh border, to the west it enjoys striking views of the Black Mountains and the Brecon Beacons, on the east it is bounded by the Malvern Hills and to the south is the scenic Wye Valley. The bulk of the county comprises a patchwork of fields, meadows, small mixed woodlands - a natural tapestry held together by the thread of gently flowing streams and rivers, bridleways, footpaths and small country roads flanked by carefully tended ancient hedgerows, no better than in the wonderfully named Golden Valley.

No cottage holiday in Herefordshire would be complete without experiencing the taste of cider. Cider making has shaped the Herefordshire landscape - with orchards aplenty. These are special places in all seasons - blossom in spring, shade in the summer, apples in the autumn and mistletoe in winter. A cider route can be explored, visiting all the cider producers, or perhaps cycling round just a few.

In the cathedral of the attractive county town of Hereford is the celebrated treasure the Mappa Mundi, a map of the world drawn in 1290 and depicted in biblical terms. High on a sandstone cliff overlooking a large loop in the River Wye is the historic market town of Ross on Wye. The spire of the 13th century St. Mary's Church is visible for miles around and the river attracts canoeists, rafters and rowers. In the east, the pretty town of Ledbury lies in the shelter of the Malvern Hills. It has several fine old buildings, in particular the arcaded 17th century market hall supported on pillars of chestnut.

Lying midway between Hereford and Worcester, Bromyard sits amongst some of the most scenic English countryside. Hop growing is the main agricultural activity of the Bromyard and Ledbury area. To the west lies Leominster in the heart of the Marches, the beautiful borderlands of England and Wales with a wide range of antique shops. Even further west is Kington a small, historic market town on the English and Welsh border. It is a popular centre for those walking the Offa's Dyke Foot Path. There is good hill walking with lovely views from nearby Bradnor Hill and Hergest Ridge, as well as walking in the Golden Valley further south.