1 / 6Herefordshire is a quietly brilliant corner of the West Midlands for family days out, with a mix of grand houses, hands-on wildlife, riverside adventure and easy woodland walks. Here are seven confirmed, genuinely kid-friendly attractions worth planning a day around.
🎟️See things to do in Herefordshire on GetYourGuide →Eastnor Castle
A Georgian mock-castle in the foothills of the Malverns near Ledbury, still lived in as a family home, with medieval armour, Pugin interiors and a deer park with a lake and arboretum (open selected dates Easter to end of September). Kids love the huge grounds: an adventure playground, junior obstacle course, the yew-hedge Knight's Maze, a treetop walkway, woodland play area, children's fun sheets and lakeside walks. Find it at Eastnor, near Ledbury.
Small Breeds Farm Park & Owl Centre
A family-run farm park in Kington home to one of the largest owl collections in Europe (30+ breeds) plus 500+ miniature and friendly animals, open daily except Christmas Day, 10:30am to 5:30pm. Children can get close to pigs, donkeys, goats, red squirrels and rare waterfowl, and explore the owl gardens, a squirrel dome and a small animal house, with good wheelchair and buggy access and a tea room on site.
Hereford Cathedral: Mappa Mundi & Chained Library
A working medieval cathedral in Hereford whose exhibition wing houses the 700-year-old Mappa Mundi (the largest surviving medieval world map) and the world's largest surviving chained library, with the museum open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Families get free fun trails from the Welcome Desk and a free interactive kids' app (Rapscallion's Revenge), plus the sheer wow-factor of a giant ancient map and books literally chained to their shelves.
Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum
123 acres of woodland including a 47-acre hilltop arboretum just north of Hereford at Dinmore, with waymarked trails, a cafe and picnic areas, and free entry (parking charge applies). It's a favourite family walk thanks to the popular Gruffalo Trail for little ones, open woodland to roam, seasonal colour and easy pushchair-friendly paths.
River Wye canoe trip
Guided or unaccompanied canoe hire on quiet rural stretches of the River Wye around Hoarwithy and Hereford, with half-day, full-day and multi-day options run by a family-run canoe-hire operator. It's a proper adventure on the water with gentle rapids, sweeping bends and wildlife to spot (kingfishers and fish), making a memorable active day out for families with older kids.
The Cider Museum
A small museum in a former cider works in Hereford, telling the story of how cider has been made across the county over the centuries, with an old-fashioned cider press and historic exhibits. It's hands-on for children, who can learn about apples and cider-making, see the old press and dress up in a 19th-century replica smock.
Berrington Hall (National Trust)
A neo-classical National Trust country house near Leominster set in a 'Capability' Brown landscape park, with ornamental gardens, a walled garden and woodland walks. There's space to run in the parkland and gardens, seasonal family trails and events, and a grand historic house to explore; National Trust members enter free.
Tips for a family day out
Several of these attractions are seasonal or have set opening days, so always check opening times before you travel, especially for Eastnor Castle (Easter to September) and River Wye canoe hire. Pack waterproofs and sturdy shoes for the woodland and riverside days out at Queenswood and on the Wye, and bring a picnic where cafes may be small or busy. Free-entry sites like Queenswood pair well with a paid attraction to make a full, budget-friendly day, and National Trust membership pays off quickly if you plan to visit Berrington Hall more than once.
FAQs
What are the best free days out with kids in Herefordshire? Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum offers free entry (with a parking charge) and a popular Gruffalo Trail, while Hereford Cathedral's family fun trails are free from the Welcome Desk. Berrington Hall is free for National Trust members.
Which Herefordshire attractions are best for younger children? Small Breeds Farm Park & Owl Centre and the Gruffalo Trail at Queenswood are ideal for little ones, and Eastnor Castle has an adventure playground and woodland play area for younger kids.
Can you go canoeing on the River Wye with children? Yes. Family-run operators offer guided or unaccompanied canoe hire on quiet stretches near Hoarwithy and Hereford, with half-day and full-day options that suit families with older children.
🎟️ Top things to do in Herefordshire
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
#ad — we earn a small commission at no cost to you when you book through our links.
