4 Best Sights in Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England, England

Just outside the village of Much Marcle, four miles southwest of Ledbury, lies the beautiful 17th-century manor of Hellens, which is kept like a time capsule in virtually unspoiled condition. The gloom and dust are part of the experience of visiting: at times candles illuminate the interior, and there’s no central heating. Part of the house dates from the 13th century and contains an unbelievable collection of fine Old Master paintings. Take a walk in the gardens and, if you have time, be sure to check out the 13th-century village church. Entry is by a guided tour from one of the wardens who live on site; tours take place at 1, 2, and 3 pm on Wednesdays, Sundays, and bank holiday Mondays from Easter through early October. There is also a rather charming tearoom on site, an old cider house, and an excellent events program.

Just six miles southwest of Ledbury, this cider mill is a fantastic way to get a (quite literal) taste of the drink Herefordshire is famous for. They've been making cider on this very site since the late 19th century and many of the ciders are familiar brands. Tours (offered daily at 11 am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, and 3:30 pm) take about an hour and 20 minutes and conclude with a tasting of about five different ciders. Make sure you factor in a stop at the very good on-site restaurant the Scrumpy House to try one of the excellent pies.

Completed in 1820, Eastnor Castle, a turreted Norman-revival extravaganza on the eastern outskirts of Ledbury, includes some magnificent neo-Gothic salons designed by 19th-century architect Augustus Pugin. The Hervey-Bathurst family has restored other grand rooms, full of tapestries, gilt-framed paintings, Regency chandeliers, old armchairs, and enormous sofas, making Eastnor a must-see for lovers of English interior decoration. In the Little Library, look out for the rare game of Life Pool, originally played on the billiards table. Within the grounds, there is a knight’s maze and adventure playground to keep kids entertained (along with an ice cream parlor). Opening days vary throughout the season; check the website in advance before you visit. There is also a campsite and two cottages within the castle’s deer park and some spectacular rooms in the castle itself.

In the old grammar school, this museum traces the history of the building, town, railroad, and canal, mostly through local postcards. It also has displays on two literary celebrities linked to the area, John Masefield and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.