PLACES TO VISIT

An accessible guide to Herefordshire (places, links & access statements)

Below is a compact, no-nonsense guide to accessible places to visit across Herefordshire for visitors and holidaymakers of every age and ability. Prepared by Accessible Herefordshire CIC and commissioned by The Bank Holiday accessible accommodation, to be a guide and helpful reference for their guests. 

Each entry highlights the real accessibility facts you need (wheelchair access, disabled toilets, Changing Places where available) and gives direct links plus the attraction’s access statement or access information so you can plan with confidence.  A sample itinerary is  also included at the end of this report.

Vicky and Angela, Directors, Accessible Herefordshire CIC email: accessibleherefordshire@gmail.com.  Please email us with your helpful additions and feedback for other users.  Follow and tag us on our Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/AccessibleHerefordshireCic/

Key accessible attractions with access statements

Hereford Cathedral — Hereford city centre

Why go? Landmark cathedral, café, shop, Mappa Mundi (check opening times). SAS window and and sculpture
Accessibility essentials: Main body of the cathedral is wheelchair accessible via level or ramped entrances; café and shop have step-free access and measures such as priority seating and lowered shelving — floor surfaces can be uneven. See the cathedral’s accessibility page for details and visiting notes. Trained staff willing to help you explore.  Mapp Mundi and Chained Library are a must see on a visit to Hereford. 
Access statement / details: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/accessibility. (herefordcathedral.org)

Berrington Hall (National Trust) — Leominster

Why go: beautiful Herefordshire House and Capability Brown parkland, easy walks, garden and NT tearoom with accessible options.
Accessibility essentials: there is a full Changing Places facility in the main courtyard (adult changing bench, hoist etc.), accessible parking and step-free routes to parts of the site; some historic interiors have limited access. Read the full access statement PDF before you go.
 Access statement / details: https://nt.global.ssl.fastly.net/binaries/content/assets/website/national/regions/worcestershire-herefordshire/places/berrington-hall/pdf/berrington-hall-access-statement.pdf. (NT Global)

Leominster Priory The Priory Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul

Why go: A lovely church in the centre of the market town of Leominster.  Ramps throughout. Access statement here: https://www.leominsterpriory.org.uk/who-are-we/facilities/

Goodrich Castle (English Heritage) — near Ross-on-Wye

Why go: castle ruins, visitor centre, café and riverside walking.
Accessibility essentials: the castle site has limited wheelchair access (historic fabric, steep slopes and uneven surfaces restrict access inside the keep), but the visitor centre, shop and café are accessible;  accessible parking is available near the visitor centre. Check English Heritage’s access page for practical detail. Access statement / detailshtps://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/goodrich-castle/plan-your-visit/access/. (English Heritage)

Queenswood / Herefordshire Wildlife Trust (near Kington)

Why go?: accessible arboretum trails and viewpoint, EMV (Tramper) availability, accessible café and accessible toilet. Great for family visits, events, nature exploring and inclusive activities.  An accessible wheelchair Swing has just been installed for all ages. 
 Access information: https://www.herefordshirewt.org/queenswood-accessibility. (herefordshirewt.org)

Hereford — Old Market Shopping Centre (city centre) — Changing Places

Why go? handy central Changing Places facility for shopping/day trips; central, adjacent to public toilets and lifts. If you need a Changing Place in Hereford this is one of the best-placed options.
 Access details: management-suite / toilets info at Old Market Hereford (includes Changing Places info). https://oldmarkethereford.co.uk/ — and practical notes on the centre’s Changing Places are summarized on local pages. (Old Market)

 

Useful local museums, arts & community venues (Accessible Herefordshire’s recommended accessible options)

●     The Courtyard (Hereford’s Centre for the Arts) — step-free access to public areas; accessible events and staff ready to help. A Changing Place Toilet.  Access page: https://www.courtyard.org.uk/access/. (The Courtyard)

●     Grange Court, Leominster and Leominster Town

Grange Court, built in 1633, is the last surviving market house known to be built by John Abel, a local master carpenter.  Today it is a Community, Heritage and Enterprise Hub with lift to interesting rooms on the upper floors, a great ground cafe and garden.  Large accessible toilet and staff to help on hand.  Grange Court has a lovely green grassed space in front, a knot garden and sensory planting.  There is  designated accessible parking in front of Grange Court and automatic doors.

The Grange is surrounded by a wheely friendly tarmac path and leads into the market town full of independent shops cafes and antique shops

The market is in full swing every Friday morning in Corn Square. The centre is accessible by wheelchair.  

  • Leominster Museum is ramped and staff are willing to bring artefacts down from the mezzanine level for closer inspection by visitors. It is free to enter and staff are helpful. 

●     Newton Court  (Near Leominster) Great wheelchair accessible venue for eating, great shop for cider, seasonal events and tours are available – please get in touch with them directly  to assess suitability and accessibility for your requirements. Tel 01568 611721

●     Museum of Cider Hereford The Hereford Cider Museum offers good accessibility,

●    With ground floor access, accessible toilets, a lift to the first floor,accessible parking, hearing loops, and sensory backpacks are available.  There are stairs to the historic cellars. A book of cellar displays is available. A lift serves the first-floor Beam Press gallery. 

  • A Hearing loop at the front desk.
  • Staff: Friendly and helpful, Access statement here : https://www.cidermuseum.co.uk/visit-us/accessibility/
  • Indoor Butterfly Zoo at Symonds Yat with miniature golf: fully wheelchair accessible, ground-floor only, with a RADAR-key accessible hoisted accessible toilet. (See Around Britain) This is a great  hoisted toilet facility, cafe area and miniature Golf

Outdoor activities & accessible trails

Ross-on-Wye has accessible cafés and level streets in Ross-on-Wye Town Centre as well as:

  • Buggy Route: A 4-mile accessible walk around town, perfect for wheelchairs and pushchairs, starting from the Bandstand.
  • Riverside Pubs: The Hope & Anchor and The Pavilion offer level access and toilets, ideal for river views.
  • Made in Ross: A free-to-enter gallery at the Market House featuring local arts and crafts, with space for wheelchairs.
  • Thorns Coffee Lounge & The Mill Race: Cafes/pubs with wheelchair-friendly outdoor seating and facilities.
  • Museum Without Walls: An augmented reality app bringing town history to life, great for exploring.
  • Ross on Wye: Bands in the Park: Free Sunday concerts at the Bandstand during summer.
  • National Trust estates (Berrington, Brockhampton) often provide waymarked “easy” walks and accessible parking; individual access guides on each NT page list what’s step-free or not. (org.uk) Brockhampton has a fantastic accessible Apple Trail Check the National Trust Brockhampton Estate website for current trail availability and event details.
  • Queenswood (Woodland Trust / Wildlife Trust) offers hard-surface routes, borrowable mobility Trampers and all ability wheelchair swing (need RADAR key or borrow from Reception) — call ahead to book the Tramper Queenswood Visitor Centre & Gift Shop, Phone: 01432 530088 (Open 10am to 4pm)Email: enquiries@herefordshirewt.co.uk

 

WW1/WW2 Munitions factory self guided walk, Rotherwas Hereford

The Canary Trail is the historic Canary Bridge accessed by a self-guided QR code walking trail by “Rotherwas Together” exploring the area’s rich military history, especially the WWI/WWII munitions factory and its female “Canary Girls” workers, with related events like fire walks and historical walks often happening at places like The Shell Store.  The Shell Store is ideal to visit during the week as it has a level cafe area and points of interest for history enthusiasts.

●     Symonds Yat Rock / Wye Valley viewpoint — (Forest/visitor site) A short, well-surfaced viewpoint trail with dramatic Wye Valley views — brilliant for wildlife watching and short accessible strolls.
 Accessibility essentials: the main Symonds Yat Rock trail from the café/car park is surfaced and relatively short (c.200m to viewpoint), with resting benches; accessible parking is available — check the Forestry England access page for specifics.
 Access statement / details: https://www.forestryengland.uk/symonds-yat-rock (see “access information”). (Home | Forestry England)

Changing Places, disabled toilets, blue-badge parking — where to look

Key Shopmobility Centres:

Other Locations/Support:

  • Ross-on-Wye: Also has a listed Shopmobility presence (check ShopMobility UK for details).
  • Bush Healthcare: Also provides scooters in Hereford (Eign Gate).

How to Find/Use:

  • For Rentals: Check the specific centre (Leominster, Ross-on-Wye) for daily/short-term hires.
  • For Sales/Repairs: Contact Hereford Mobility Centre, TPG, or Mills for purchases, servicing, or repairs in the Hereford area.
  • Check Online: Use the ShopMobility UK directory or Talk Community for specific centre details.

Practical planning tips (skip the surprises)

  • Always check the access statement links above and call ahead. Historic sites often have step-free routes to some—but not all—areas; staff can advise on drop-off, accessible parking and mobility equipment hire/loan.

  • Changing Places: If you need a Changing Place, note exact opening hours and key/access procedures (some are in shopping centres and require a manager/security/booking). Use the Changing Places finder before you travel. (changing-places.org)

  • Transport & parking: many rural attractions have limited public transport — driving is often easier for accessible visits. Blue-badge parking exists at most National Trust and English Heritage sites but numbers vary; check each access statement.

  • Weather & terrain: Herefordshire is beautiful but can be muddy and uneven off the main trails — stick to surfaced routes if using mobility aids.

  • Assistance dogs & help: tourist sites generally welcome assistance dogs; accessible toilets and facilities differ per site — check ahead.

 

🗺️ 2 day sample Itinerary (Accessible + inclusive)

DAY 1 — Hereford City: Culture, Food, Relaxed Exploring

Morning — Hereford Cathedral

  • Visit the cathedral (wheelchair/ramp access, step-free where needed). Trained staff in the Cathedral on hand to help if required. Look for the stained glass window and sculpture devoted to the world famous SAS.
  • Use accessible Changing Place toilet in the Management Suite of the car park at the Old Market shopping centre, great independent and chain shops, Waitrose, Next etc with lots of step free places (eg The Imperial Pub, Saxtys Wine Bar and the Green Dragon for coffee, cocktails are step-free on the ground floor —  Great for

 

Afternoon — The Courtyard (Hereford) has a Changing Place and great offers of entertainment and a fantastic cafe.  Lifts and wheelchair accessible seating for performances including Relaxed Performances which include reduced  lighting, noise and beanbags on offer for a chilled out experience.  Check schedules and/or ring the box office who are super helpful.

Or for the more adventurous! – Hereford Leisure Centre & Halo Cycle Track
At the Halo Leisure Centre Cycle Track you can hire adapted bicycles / adaptive cycles (wheelchair-compatible bikes, hand-powered bikes, tandem/twin, trikes etc.) free during staffed sessions, enabling people with limited mobility to enjoy cycling. Herefordshire Council+2haloleisure.org.uk+2
Booking via Halo’s timetable (check “Staffed Sessions”). haloleisure.org.uk+1
After cycling, there are toilets, changing/shower/parking facilities at Hereford Leisure Centre — useful if someone needs changing or rest. haloleisure.org.uk+1

Or a play  and a swing at Aylestone Park (Hereford)
The park offers well-maintained paths that are suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Raring2go!+2Wanderlog+2  and a lovely play area including a pirate boat.

There is also an ability swing at Aylestone Park and you will need your RADAR key to access it.

Wheely friendly stroll at Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum (Dinmore Hill, near Leominster)

  • Offers easy-access surfaced paths suitable for wheelchairs / mobility vehicles, so you can enjoy woodland and arboretum even with limited mobility. There is also an Ability swing .org+2herefordshirewt.org+2
  • EMV “Trampers” (mobility-scooter type vehicles) are available to borrow — great if walking is difficult. org+1

DAY 2 — Wye Valley: Butterfly Zoo + and Miniature Golf (accessible)

Morning — Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo (Symonds Yat West)

  • Visit the indoor Butterfly Zoo: fully wheelchair accessible, ground-floor only, with a RADAR-key accessible disabled toilet. (See Around Britain) This is a great  hoisted toilet facility
  • Also a fun accessible Miniature Golf course

  • There are 4 disabled parking spaces near visitor toilets, just 15–60m from reception. (See Around Britain)

  • For companions/assistants: “constant one-to-one companions” are admitted free (if needed to push a wheelchair or assist). (See Around Britain)

  • Café and rest areas with ramp / step-free access (from the visitor centre car park) — useful for breaks or if the group includes people needing extra support. (See Around Britain)

Midday — Lunch / Rest at visitor centre picnic or café

  • Use on-site café or indoor picnic area; café has ramped entrance, picnic refuge available (with space for wheelchairs) for a calm, sheltered lunch. (co.uk)

Afternoon — Short trip to Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint

  • If weather & energy allow: the viewpoint can be a scenic, accessible stop (bear in mind paths may be uneven — check suitability).

Early Evening — Return via nearby town (e.g. Ross-on-Wye) for dinner or winding down

  • Ross-on-Wye has accessible cafés and level streets in Ross-on-Wye Town Centre:
  • Wheely friendly A 4-mile accessible walk around town, perfect for wheelchairs and pushchairs, starting from the Bandstand. PDF route  here
  • Riverside Pubs: The Hope & Anchor and The Pavilion offer level access and toilets, ideal for river views.
  • Made in Ross: A free-to-enter gallery at the Market House featuring local arts and crafts, with space for wheelchairs.
  • Thorns Coffee Lounge & The Mill Race: Cafes/pubs with wheelchair-friendly outdoor seating and facilities.
  • Museum Without Walls: A virtual reality augmented reality app bringing town history to life, great for exploring.
  • Bands in the Park: Free Sunday concerts at the Bandstand during summer.
  • Check Websites: Confirm accessibility details on sites like Visit Ross on Wye or co.uk before you go.
  • ✅ Euan’s Guide: A useful resource for user-reviewed accessibility.