Where Did I Park My Horse?

Waking up in a place like this makes you not want to leave, but you're at the beginning of the trip, so... It's time to keep on enjoying and exploring.
You haven't seen anything of Stow-in-the-Wold at daylight yet, so, the first thing to do is visit the beautiful St. Edward's Church.
Look at a beautiful wooden door flanked by two large yew tree trunks, it looks like the perfect place for a scene from Lord of the Rings!!
It is known that there was a church here around the year 900, but this is not it, nor is there anything left of that building. This church has its origins in the 12th century. Here you can see the days they are open for service and open their doors.

This small village is full of shops and visiting them is the perfect excuse to wander through its centuries-old streets and admire the honey-coloured facades of the buildings, which are made of local limestone. The beautiful alleyways or "chures" were the passing areas of the sheep. Up to 20,000 sheep a day were sold and bought in the local market in the old days.
In the market area you will see the remains of a pillory which was used in medieval times to immobilize convicts and carry out public humiliations by throwing rotten food at them.
The town attracts collectors from far and wide thanks to its exquisite antique dealers.

Time to go back to the pick the car and head toward the beautiful Ledbury town!

A brief stop in this village is a must to see some of the hidden treasures it holds.

Next postcard... sorry! The next stop will be at The Market House. It is one of the jewels of this town and one of the most photographed for postcards in the area. This building, edified in 1617, stands on 16 wooden posts. The upper part of this kind of building, in most places, used to be used for official purposes, such as council chambers or similar. But in this village this space was used to store wool, hops, corn and acorns.
Every Tuesday and Saturday, a local market is still held under these pillars, where fresh regional produce and handicrafts are traded.

On the first floor of this ancient building there is the Painted Room. A room with its walls painted with frescoes from the 16th century, the best preserved of their kind in England.
It was discovered accidentally, when the building was being maintained and layers of old wallpaper were completely removed, these paintings from the Elizabethan period were found.
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday, Saturday: 11:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 16:00
Showings are every 10 minutes, no booking is needed.
For more information, follow this link.

The Church Lane is a charming alleyway, linking the Market House with St Michael & All Angels Church. Everything here is picturesque, from the rooftops to the cobblestones on the ground.
In a 16th century building is The Old Grammar School, so called because it was a school for almost 200 years. It is home to the Heritage Center, a center where the history of the town is explained through the trades and the town's landmark buildings.
It's open from Easter until the end of October, daily from 10:30 to 16:00.
For more information, follow this link.

This beautiful church, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, has great medieval artistic works of great value. It is a symbol for this city as it is one of the most important churches in the Herefordshire area. Its stunning architecture is a mixture of Norman and Gothic.
Opening hours: Summer Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:30
Winter Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 16:00
For more information, click here.

This lovely restaurant, on Church Lane, is ideal to have a meal while you are wandering around the alley.
You can book a table in advance by calling: +441531634443
Opening hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 09:30 - 16:00 Sunday - Monday: closed

After this lovely visit, it's time to continue by car to the next place.

This amazing castle has a lot of history to tell and show: Roman buildings from the 1st century, Norman towers from the 11th century, a 15th century great house converted into an opulent Victorian Gothic dwelling and some parts of the castle also served as a bomb shelter during the Second World War. It is the most interesting and entertaining place to visit.
There is a central square, open to the public, with a café where you can sit and have a drink, with fantastic views. There is also a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs of the castle and Cardiff.
Opening times From March to October Monday - Friday: 10:00 - 18:00 Saturday - Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00
From November to February Monday - Friday: 10:00-17:00 Saturday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00
Here you'll find ticket price and more information.

It is an open-air museum where more than 40 original buildings from different periods of history have been re-erected, brought from all over Wales. These buildings include houses, a school, a farm, a chapel and a Workmen's Institute.
In many of these buildings, as you enter, you will be able to see how people lived in each period, their everyday objects, what the different environments were like.
You can also see craftsmen, blacksmiths and other ancient tradesmen at work, and you can even buy their products. Among these workers, also among those who work on the farm, you will hear the Welsh language almost all the time.
It is a great showcase of all the Welsh heritage and culture from its beginnings.
Opening times Monday - Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00
For more information, follow this link.

A very nice stroll is to walk along this pier, especially when the tide is high. If the pavilion is closed when you get there (it closes at 17:00), you can still walk along the promenade and enjoy the views (there are some panoramic viewpoints along the path).
If the tide is low, you can also get down to the beach and take a stroll along the shore.

In this cozy café, you can sit and have a drink while contemplating the Penarth beach and the Bristol Channel.
Opening times Monday - Sunday: 08:00 - 20:00

This wonderful place is best to be visited at sunset due to the way the sunlight gently falls over the different cottages. It is a mini-village of cottages built for the elderly people of the Blaise Castle Estate. Each house is beautiful, with its own particular style and is spread around a peaceful green space.
It must be remembered that these are private residences and therefore visits should be respectful.

This charming restaurant is a very pleasant place to recharge your batteries with an exquisite dinner.
Opening times Sunday - Thursday: 09:00 - 22:00 Friday - Saturday: 09:00 - 22:30
For reservations or more information, click here.
IMPORTANT: This restaurant is close to the suggested hotel, in case you wish to check in first (which is normally until 20:00). However, the hotel gives you the option of requesting a later check-in with prior arrangement.

It is a beautiful house converted into a very nice and comfortable hotel, with magnificent views.
Check-in is from 15:00 to 20:00, but later check-in is available on request.
You can park outside with pay and display or ask for a parking permit in advance (there is a limited number of permits).
Please do not forget to book in advance.