Castle House, Herefordshire

Elegant regency townhouse hotel in a hard to beat location in the centre of Hereford, just steps from the famous Cathedral and right next to Hereford Castle's moat (though the castle is long gone). Privately owned by a local farmer, the hotel has been given a complete makeover in recent years. Bedrooms are elegantly decorated and the feel is most definitely traditional and classic. The restaurant comes highly recommended and plenty of the produce included on the menu comes from the owner's farm (only 8 miles away). A comfortable and classy base from which to explore the Wye Valley or Brecon Beacons. Ideally situated if you're planning a visit to the Hay on Wye Book Festival.

 

Written by Sarah Empson

• Restaurant
• Highly recommened food from head chef Claire NIcholls. Much of the produce comes from the owner's farm.
• Garden
• Right next to the original moat of Hereford Castle.
• Suites
• Some suites have garden access.
• Rooms with balcony/terrace
• Wedding license
• Bar
• Walking distance restaurants
• Outdoor dining
• Internet
• Family Suites
• Meeting Room
• Cots available
• No pets
• Bicycle hire

• Sit-out Terrace
• Good wine list
• Child friendly
• Sitting Room
• Room service
• Disabled access
• Parking
• Satellite / Cable TV
• In room music system
• Four poster beds
• Wifi
• Safe
• Bath robes

• Other Activities
• Stay here for Hay on Wye Book Festival or Ludlow Food Festival
• Sights nearby
• Yards from Hereford Cathedral
• Local markets

• Great walks
• Golf
• Cooking classes

Why do people love staying in your hotel? Castle House is Hereford’s only luxury boutique hotel and is owned by a local farming family. The staff is known for its friendliness and going the extra mile to ensure guests and visitors are looked after. Each of the 24 bedrooms has been individually designed and furnished. Guests have the option of staying in the Grade II listed main house or just a few yards away in an eight bedroomed townhouse, Number 25.

What is there to do in the area or on site? Hereford is an old historic city with much to do and see. Castle House is just a few minutes’ walk from Hereford Cathedral which houses one of the world’s oldest maps, The Mappa Mundi, as well as a signed copy of the 1217 Magna Carta – the foundations of our law and the American Constitution. It is a small city surrounded by beautiful and unspoiled countryside where there is much to do and discover.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Full English Breakfast is on offer every day but obviously we offer fresh fruit, yogurt and a Continental breakfast as well and happy to organise special meals.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We have a two-rosette restaurant and a bistro which are the domain of Head Chef Claire Nicholls. Some of the fresh vegetables, fruit and herbs come from the owner’s Ballingham Farm where they also rear pedigree Herefords and rare breed sheep. Castle House is open every day for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and, of course, throughout the day for snacks and coffees etc. We have a beautiful ‘secret’ garden which is just beside the old Hereford Castle moat and very popular with locals and those who find it quite by accident. There are other good places to eat out locally and we do certainly recommend those we think our guests would like.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? Every room has been individually designed so offers a unique experience. All have ensuite bathrooms, fresh fruit, a decanter of sherry, fresh milk and tea/coffee making facilities. We have Gilchrist & Soames toiletries. One of the most popular rooms is the King Charles II Castle Suite which runs the whole width of the house and is more like an apartment. On the whole most of our rooms are popular but our Fourposter Royal Suite is much requested by honeymooners. Number 25, our townhouse, is very popular with people who like to be a bit more independent and weekenders who like to have a lie in. We have two suites on the ground floor which have small conservatories and guests can eat outside in a pretty, secluded garden and pick apples from the old apple tree (when in season!).

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms? Facilities would include our private garden and there is a local museum lots of shops etc. nearby. We can offer Z beds in most rooms and some of our Castle Suites have sofa beds so ideal for families. We have a fridge in each room with fresh milk and ideal for storing food/drink etc and we offer travel cots and high chairs.

What message would you like to give Hotel Guru readers? If you have never ventured to Hereford – not to be confused with Hertford though - it is something that should most definitely be on your list of places to visit. It is a beautiful and historic city where you can walk everywhere and find lots of interesting things to do. The River Wye runs through and provides lots of long walks along its banks. The surrounding countryside is quite stunning and unspoiled. Hereford can now boast a state-of-the-art shopping centre on the site of the old Cattle Market which has opened the city up to a new group of visitors. Castle House is located in a very quiet part of the city and from there it is easy to access the centre by way of the Cathedral and the Independent Quarter, where there are many interesting and individual shops and galleries to explore.