Located in Herefordshire bordering Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Shropshire to one side, and on the other side Wales - rich green fields, Hereford cattle and apple orchards a plenty. Rolling countryside and pretty views from every perspective, the nearest towns are Kington, Leominster, Ludlow and Hereford all offering something different. The Barns themselves sit on the edge of the quiet and pretty rural village of Lyonshall, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and surrounding farmland which North Herefordshire is famed for. Off the beaten track, technically we form part of 'The Marches', which is the pretty bit between England and Wales famed for its leafy lanes, century's old landscapes, ancient inns and winding river - but luckily not too far from Birmingham, Bristol and Cardiff.
Once you've visited Herefordshire you're sure to be coming back!
Lyonshall
Lyonshall village is quaint, quiet and rural, with picturesque timber-framed houses, acres of surrounding farmland and easy access to local towns Kington and Leominster - you'll enjoy our pace of life. The nearby market town of Kington offers a range of amenities including, community hospital, library, leisure centre and doctors surgery, plus various good shops and a few cafes. More extensive shops and activities are available in the Cathedral City of Hereford, the famed Hay-on-Wye or nearby foodie town of Ludlow.
Location
Kington
2 miles / 5 mins
Shobdon Airfield
5 miles / 10 mins
Leominster
10 miles / 20 mins
Hay-on-Wye
15 miles / 25 mins
Hereford
15 miles / 25 mins
Ludlow
18 miles / 30 mins
M50 (Jct 4)
32 miles / 55 mins
Worcester
38 miles / 64 mins
Railway Stations
Leominster, Hereford, Ludlow
Birmingham Airport
69 miles / 1hr 45mins
Find Us
The Barns are positioned on the outskirts of the village of Lyonshall, on Spond Lane which is accessed easily and clearly signed off the A480 Hereford road. The postcode will take you to within a few meters of the entrance and all you need to look out for is the large stone walls and lit 'The Barns' signs on the grass verges. When you enter the car park you'll have plenty of space for parking and will clearly see the office on the right hand side for any questions or queries while you stay.
On the Doorstep
Hay-on-Wye
Hay on Wye is a small market town on the border of England and Wales, nestled on the banks of the River Wye and famed for its many bookshops and local and artisan makers. Know also as The Town of Books, it is full to the brim of specialist book stores, independent and quaint shops and cafes (the Old Electric Shop is wonderful), abundant antique shops selling Welsh goodies and once a year becomes flooded with visitors from all over the World to its famous Literature Festival of the Arts. It is an enchanting town with activities galor, history to absorb (check out the renovations of the Castle) and a lovely feeling of natural beauty everywhere.
Ludlow
Recently described as 'the loveliest town in England' Ludlow was originally famed for its wool and cloth trade and its town centre market remains its beating heart - and well worth a visit too. Famed now as a gastronomic hotspot (see its September Food Festival) it's a must visit location for all! Also known for its medieval castle on the river, its quaint and Norman streets house beautiful properties and well established cafes/restaurants/deli's with barely a chain in sight. It has a wonderful collection of boutique and specialist shops (see the cheese stop and The Period House for interiors) and despite a bus not actually fitting through the town centre, it's remarkably child-friendly - although be prepared for some steep lanes.
Hereford
With a very Independent feel to the town centre, Hereford has quite an interesting lot to offer. As a border City it has always been too 'remote' for commuters; and yet this is what forms part of its charm. Fairly undiscovered and full of artists, makers and business people (think Tyrrels Crisps and Superdry clothing), it has a nice bone structure making it a pleasant place to explore. Plenty of restaurants and independent cafe's to taste, especially Castle Street leading to the Cathedral and the recently launched New Green Dragon along with the redevelopment of the Old Market site giving plenty of known brands to find. Every road leading out from town with give you jaw dropping views across Shropshire Hills, or Welsh Mountains or simply the best view of its traditional Hereford Beef Cattle or cider orchards. Enjoy!
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons National Park stretches from the Western Black Mountains, across the central Forest Fawr and Brecon Beacons and onto the eastern Black Mountains. The park is perfect for beautiful remote walks and hiking for those wanting something a little more challenging - our favourite is Hay Bluff which is suitable for all ages, very easily accessible with a perfect picnic spot for kite flying and stunning vistas. Many other outdoor activities beyond walking are available in the area, including cycling, horse riding, rock climbing and hang gliding. Just a drive through the long winding roads at sunset is worth the little trip, spotting the pony, sheep and many trail runners as you go. There is a good activities centre also - please see their park website for up to date information on events and weather conditions.
The River Wye & Elan Valley
Stretching from mid-Wales to the Severn Estuary, the River Wye is the 5th largest river in the UK at around 134 miles long. Much of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales and the lower section is and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Its very popular with fisherman (renowned for its Salmon) and boating enthusiasts. There are plenty of local accessible areas for rowers, canoeists and kayakers - within a 15minute drive you could be doing all 3 of these activities and enjoying a drink to follow in many local pubs. The Elan Valley, described as the 'Welsh Lake District', a 72 square mile historic landscape featuring a large series of stunning dams and wildlife and less than an hours drive from The Barns. The Visitors Centre there is lovely and very family friendly - the views from the car windows are worth the journey alone!
Hergest Ridge & Offa's Dyke
Running across the border between England and Wales, Hargest Ridge is an elongated hill that starts in the pretty market town of Kington (2 miles from Lyonshall) and ends in the village of Gladestry in Wales. A beautiful spot for walking and hosts the Kington Walking Festival each September. It's a perfect trip out on a sunny day, and include a nip into the old Hergest School (Hergest Gardens) to see their open gardens and house and sample a local Welsh cake.
