THINGS TO DO WITH LITTLE ONES: Entertaining children in the Herefordshire Hills – the best activities and days out for kids!

THINGS TO DO WITH LITTLE ONES: Entertaining children in the Herefordshire Hills - the best activities and days out for kids!

hatterrall.herefordshire

1 Jan, 2024

Whether you’re a Herefordshire local, or you’re planning on visiting us here at Hatterrall, you’ll probably be thinking, “what can I do to entertain the kids?”…

To help, we’ve compiled this guide of the best activities, days out, and places to go with children, in and around Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, so whether it’s half term, nearing the end of the summer holidays or you’re simply wanting a stress-free weekend, we’ve got you covered!

FOR THE ANIMAL LOVERS:

Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre

  • Kington, Herefordshire, HR5 3HF.
  • Just outside the border town of Kington is Small Breeds Farm Park, a wonderful animal farm with an amazing collection of miniature rare and unusual animals and birds, allowing children to enjoy an incredible ‘hands on’ experience. From goats to red squirrels, owls to sheep, they really have got it all! Adults and children alike are likely to be fascinated by all on display. Tea room and gift shop on site.
  • Open every day from 10:30am – 4pm.
  • https://www.owlcentre.com

Raglan Park Farm

  • Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2HX.
  • From live lambing, to trampolines, zip wires to ride on tractors, Raglan Farm Park is the perfect place to tire out the little ones! With 7 soft play areas in their big barn, children from 18 months to 11 years are sure to have a great time!
  • Open every day from 10am until 5pm.
  • https://www.raglanfarmpark.com

Rowlestone Farmhouse Ice Cream

  • Rowlestone, Herefordshire HR2 ODW.
  • A lovely ice cream parlour located in our nearby village of Rowlestone, with a fabulous children’s play area, adventure play area, and woodlands walks! Also an onsite cafe serving light lunches, teas, coffees, cakes AND delicious homemade ice cream! Take the children to watch ice cream being made from fresh cow’s milk, see the pigs, and wonder into the woods for fun on the zip wire, a great day out!
  • Open Easter – September, Wednesday to Sunday. Check their website/instagram for latest opening times.
  • https://www.rowlestoneicecream.co.uk

FOR THE NATURE LOVERS:

Queenswood Gruffalo Trail

  • Queenswood Country Park, Leominster, HR6 0PY
  • Queenswood is the only designated country park in the county. It includes an arboretum (a 47 acre tree collection with over 1,200 rare and exotic trees from all over the world) and 123 acres of semi-natural ancient woodland. For the little ones, their Gruffalo Trail, features five larger-than-life sculptures of characters from the popular Gruffalo books. An activity pack with added extras to complete along the trail and do at home is available from the Queenswood gift shop. The trail is aimed predominantly at children aged 2 to 6 years but is great fun for all the family, is suitable for pushchairs and is less than 1.5km long.
  • Open all year-round
  • https://www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org/the-gruffalo-trail/

National Trust Berrington Hall

  • Berrington Hall near, Leominster HR6 0DW
  • Explore Capability Brown’s final landscape and gardens that surround this neoclassical Georgian mansion. Described as the perfect house in the perfect setting, you really can have the perfect day out here discovering the rare curved walled garden, delicate, homely interiors and, in our opinion, some of England’s Greatest Gardener’s best work! 
  • Open every day 10am – 4pm
  • https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/berrington-hall

Llangorse Lake

  • Llangorse Lake, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7TR
  • The largest natural lake in South Wales! Here you can hire out rowing and fishing boats on the lake, as well as kayaks, Canadian canoes, stand up paddle boards and pedaloes! Enjoy an ice cream or bite to eat in the cafe when you return back to land! If you do decide to take a day trip to the area, be sure to also take the little ones to the nearby Cantref Adventure Farm for an action‑packed day out!
  • Open year-round, weather dependent
  • https://www.llangorselake.co.uk/the-lake.html

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo

  • Symonds Yat West, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6DA
  • This indoor attraction lets visitors walk with beautiful, tropical, free-flying butterflies from all over the world. Use identification sheets to find out about the butterflies amongst you, hunt for caterpillars and chrysalis along the way, and finish your thrilling day by getting lost in the nearby aMazing Hedge Puzzle!
  • Open 10am – 3pm every day
  • https://butterflyzoo.co.uk

National Trust The Weir Garden

  • The Weir Garden, Swainshill, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 7QF
  • This beautiful riverside garden bounded by the River Wye is an incredibly peaceful and tranquil location. Escape to this spectacular garden and be absorbed by natural beauty. Take a picnic to enjoy by the river or buy an ice cream from the mini onsite shop. 
  • See website for opening times
  • https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/worcestershire-herefordshire/the-weir-garden

FOR THE THRILL SEEKERS:

Flip Out, Trampoline Park

  • Unit 21 Mortimer Trading Centre, Mortimer Rd, Hereford HR4 9SP
  • Herefordshire’s most advanced inflatable adventure arena with loads of fantastic activities is sure to be a great day out for all the family! From the Basher Forest to Mega Slide, Wipeout, and more, there’s endless fun for everyone, from little ones to teens and even grandparents!
  • See website for up to date opening hours.
  • https://www.flipout.co.uk/locations/hereford

Wye Valley Canoe Centre

  • The Boat House, Glasbury, HR3 5NP
  • Sitting on the banks of the River Wye, four miles west of Hay on Wye, in Glasbury you will find Wye Valley Canoes. With a fleet of canoes, kayaks and double kayaks, Wye Valley Canoes is the perfect place to hire a canoe to paddle downstream to Hay on Wye, where a minibus will collect you and bring you back to your car. Enjoy this peacefully quiet, unspoilt stretch of water in the best way possible ‑ on canoe! Enjoy a bite to eat at the River Cafe upon your return.
  • Open 7 days a week.
  • https://www.wyevalleycanoes.co.uk

The Grange, Trekking and Riding

  • The Grange, Capel-y-ffin, Abergavenny, NP7 7NP
  • Pony trekking in the Black Mountains, need we say anymore! Breath-taking scenery with the most stunning, long-distance, panoramic views – a totally unforgettable day in the saddle! Riders aged 4 upwards are welcome.
  • Open March – November.
  • https://www.grangetrekking-wales.co.uk

The Viking Games

  • Ewyas Harold, Herefordshire, HR2 0JH.
  • From paint balling to archery, axe throwing to laser clay shooting, you’re sure to have a great day out at the Viking Games!
  • Bookings available 7 days from 10am to 5pm.
  • https://thevikinggames.co.uk

Paddleboarding Adventures

  • Symonds Yat, Ross-on-Wye,
  • If a family fun day out on the River Wye is your idea of fun then you have to check out Paddleboarding Adventures! A great way to get out in nature, and see our local waterways in their true glory, whilst supporting mental and physical health and wellbeing. Whether it’s a family paddle on the River Wye, or a beginner skills session, you’re sure to have a great time with the wonderful instructors at Paddleboarding Adventures.
  • See website for session availability.
  • https://paddleboardingadventures.co.uk/

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre

  • New Rd, Cannop, Coleford GL16 7EH
  • Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is a small woodland cycling centre, comprising mountain bike trails, a visitor centre, car parks and uplift service. It is located on the former site of Cannop Colliery in the Cannop Valley, Forest of Dean, and is a great day out for all the family.
  • Open year-round.
  • https://pedalabikeaway.co.uk/bike-hire/

Play Planet

  • 122 – 124 Widemarsh Street, Hereford, HR4 9HN
  • Play Planet is the biggest indoor children’s soft play centre in Herefordshire where children can play in a safe and secure environment, on a huge purpose built, recently refurbished play frame. With separate play areas for Under 2’s, Under4’s and 4-12 year olds, there’s something for everyone.
  • https://www.softplayhereford.co.uk

FOR THE INQUISITIVE:

Skirrid Print Studio

  • Longtown, Herefordshire, HR2 0LD.
  • Set within our local village of Longtown, is Helen’s beautiful studio and gallery. Visit to see some of Helen’s wonderful artwork or, visit her Etsy store if you’d like to purchase her prints and cards online. What’s more, if you’d like to try out lino printing for yourself, Helen offers fabulous printmaking or drawing workshops, great for those budding artists, suitable for those aged 5 and upwards, an ideal creative break for all the family!
  • https://www.helenarthur.art

Hereford Cathedral

  • 5 College Cloisters, Cathedral Close, Hereford HR1 2NG
  • Hereford Cathedral draws visitors and scholars from across the world, and it’s not hard to see why! Hereford Magna Carta, visiting the Cathedral is sure to be a great day out for all. And you can’t visit Hereford Cathedral without viewing the Cathedral’s Mappa Mundi, the largest medieval world map to survive, and the Chained Library which holds over 1500 rare books! Choose from a selection of delicious refreshments and homemade cakes in the Cathedral Cafe and browse the shop for souvenirs and gifts. 
  • Open daily from 10am‑3pm but check website before you visit in case of services and events.
  • https://www.herefordcathedral.org

Raglan Castle

  • Raglan Castle, Raglan, Monmouthshire, NP15 2BT
  • The grandest castle ever built by Welshmen, Raglan Castle stands tall amid glorious Welsh countryside. Located just north of Raglan in Monmouthshire, the late medieval castle is surrounded by parkland, water gardens and terraces. Shrouded in history, a trip to Raglan Castle is the perfect day out for all. Onsite parking, toilets and gift shop and a nearby cafe too!
  • See website for opening times.
  • https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/raglan-castle

Inspired to visit Herefordshire with your little ones? Come and stay with us at Hatterrall. All of our cottages are child friendly, have spacious gardens, and high chairs and cots available upon request. All of our twin rooms can be zipped together into a superking too! Follow the links above to book your stay.