Beef and cider will spring into many minds at the mention of Hereford, and for some that’s reason enough to visit. If you’re looking for another few reasons, Hereford is just on the edge of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and just a touch further from the Brecon Beacons National Park. It’s also neighbours with both Ross-on-Wye and Hay-on-Wye, and during Hay’s annual literary festival the best places to stay in Hereford fill up with book lovers too. The town is also busy during the springtime cider festival. Our favourite hotels are two charming period conversions, one a Victorian home, the other a grander, Regency era one.

If you’re planning to use one of the best places to stay in Hereford as a base for walking trips, you can really take you pick, both our recommendations are conveniently located to get out of town, as well as within walking distance of local restaurants and attractions — like Hereford’s interesting collection of little museums and galleries. There's also the 11th century cathedral, which has a medieval map of the world, a Mappa Mundi; the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, with its collection of local decorative art; and The Old House, a Tudor building that’s now a Jacobean museum. And obviously the Hereford Cider Museum.