Kington Cottages with Hot Tubs

Get More From Your Kington Hot Tub Cottage Break

Sightseeing

Kington sits in prime walking country with Offa's Dyke Path and Mortimer Trail both passing through. The town's unusual high street slopes downhill and features independent shops rather than big chains - I love this about small market towns.

Hergest Croft Gardens (HR5 3EG, open Feb-Oct, 11am-5pm) spans 70 acres with spectacular views and plant collections. It scores 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor and the tea room serves excellent homemade cakes.

The Judge's Lodging in nearby Presteigne (LD8 2AD) is worth the short drive. This Victorian courthouse and lodgings is amazingly preserved and gets 5/5 on TripAdvisor. You can touch almost everything - no ropes or glass cases here!

Kington Museum (HR5 3HL, open Apr-Sep, Fri-Sun 11am-3pm) tells the story of this border town through fascinating exhibits. It's small but packed with local history and free to enter (donations welcome).

Pet Friendly

Dogs will love the walks around Kington. Hergest Ridge offers miles of open space with stunning views across Herefordshire and Wales. The circular route takes about 3 hours and your dog can be off-lead for most of it.

The Royal Oak pub (HR5 3AZ) welcomes dogs in the bar area and garden. They even keep treats behind the bar! The food is proper pub grub with generous portions - exactly what you need after a long walk.

Ye Olde Tavern (HR5 3BJ) is another dog-friendly pub in town. It's one of the oldest buildings in Kington dating back to the 14th century. Dogs get water bowls and there's a cosy fire in winter.

Remember to bring towels for muddy paws after walks - especially if you're heading back to a cottage with a hot tub! Most local shops are fine with well-behaved dogs, but always check before entering.

Top 3 attractions you have to see in Kington

Small Breeds Farm Park & Owl Centre (HR5 3HF) houses one of the UK's largest collections of owls alongside miniature horses, pygmy goats and other tiny animals. It's open daily 10:30am-5pm (Feb-Dec). We think the flying displays are brilliant and kids can feed many of the animals. One visitor called it "the best animal attraction we've ever visited" on TripAdvisor.

Hergest Ridge offers what I consider the best walking in the area. The 7-mile circular route takes you across the England-Wales border with views stretching to the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons. Look for the monkey puzzle trees at the summit - they're over 100 years old! The ridge inspired Mike Oldfield's second album and it's easy to see why when you're up there.

The Black and White Village Trail takes you through north Herefordshire's timber-framed villages. Pembridge (15 minutes from Kington) is particularly beautiful with its detached bell tower and market hall. Eardisland has a community shop in an old AA box and Weobley features buildings dating back to the 1400s. The whole trail is about 40 miles, but you can do sections easily from your Kington base.

Is Kington good for walking holidays?

Absolutely! Kington calls itself "a town on the trail" and hosts an annual walking festival in September. Offa's Dyke Path, Mortimer Trail and Herefordshire Trail all pass through. The tourist information centre (HR5 3DL) sells detailed walking maps and guides.

Where can I eat in Kington?

The Oxford Arms (HR5 3BJ) serves excellent food using local ingredients. The Border Bean (HR5 3BJ) does great coffee and homemade cakes. For something special, The Stagg Inn at Titley (HR5 3RL) is the first pub in the UK to receive a Michelin star and is just 10 minutes away.

Can I go fishing near Kington?

Yes! The River Arrow runs through Kington and offers good trout fishing. Day tickets are available from Kington Tackle Shop (HR5 3DL). Arrow Bank Holiday Park (HR5 3JP) has a private stretch of river for guests.

What's the best time to visit Kington?

Spring and autumn are lovely. The Kington Walking Festival in September offers guided walks for all abilities. The Kington Show in September is one of the oldest agricultural shows in the country and well worth attending.

Are there any good pubs with local ales?

The Swan (HR5 3NR) serves excellent local beers including from Wye Valley Brewery. The Royal Oak (HR5 3AZ) has regular guest ales and a beer garden for sunny days. Both have open fires in winter - perfect after a dip in your hot tub!

Is there public transport to Kington?

Limited. The 461 bus connects Kington with Hereford (journey time about 1 hour). There's no train station - the nearest is at Leominster (15 miles). A car is recommended to make the most of the area.

1. Kington Walks - Official website with downloadable routes
2. Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire - Local tourism information
3. Black and White Village Trail - Official guide