Visitor Information Centre relocates to the heart of Guernsey
Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "This move presented the opportunity to breathe life back into an important building in the heart of St Peter Port."Signage has been put up to ensure that visitors are able to find the new centre.Visitor Information Centre manager Ed Man said he hoped the move would make Market Square "a really good hub" for people where they would "want to come and socialise".
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Wales Online
12-06-2025
- Wales Online
Unsung chocolate box town is like if Disney did Ye Olde England and is just 1 hour from Wales
Unsung chocolate box town is like if Disney did Ye Olde England and is just 1 hour from Wales This ancient market town is like stepping into the pages of a story book and there's so much to see around it Located at the confluence of the River Lugg and its tributary, the River Kenwater, Leominster is at the heart of the Black and White Villages Trail. (Image: Portia Jones ) I love a historic market town with proper pubs, striking architecture and boutique shops. While we are blessed with plenty of pretty towns in Wales, several just across the border are worthy of a visit. One of my favourite finds is the town of Leominster in Herefordshire, around an hour from Wales. Located at the confluence of the River Lugg and its tributary, the River Kenwater, Leominster is at the heart of the Black and White Villages Trail. This unsung trail winds through 42 miles of lush, green Herefordshire countryside, taking you to medieval villages with history woven into every crooked timber and stone path. With its black-and-white timber-framed buildings, Leominster is the ideal starting point for the trail and is worth sticking around for. Here's how to make the most of a trip to this underrated market town in The Marches. Wander the historic streets I love the historic architecture (Image: Portia Jones ) Leominster is ancient, with a timeline dating back to the 7th century. The area was inhabited by a Christian community established by a monk, St. Ædfrið, around 660 AD and during the 8th and 9th centuries, Vikings frequently raided the area. Article continues below History is all around you in this town, and it's also where you'll find the last ducking stool used in England in the Priory Church of St. Peter & St. Paul. These 17th-century stools were formerly used to punish disorderly women by plunging them into water on a stool of repentance. Thankfully, for ungovernable women like me, this has been discontinued for a long time. Phew! Various Tudor, Stuart and Georgian-era buildings can also be spotted along Church Street, Broad Street and Drapers Lane. Keen to learn more? Leominster Heritage Guides offers guided walking tours twice a week, revealing the fascinating stories behind this historic market town. Join them every Saturday at 11:00am and every Wednesday at 2:00pm for a 90-minute tour led by knowledgeable local guides. Each walk explores different aspects of Leominster's past, from Roman roots to medieval trade and historic buildings. The meeting point is outside the Leominster Information Centre, Corn Square. Tickets are currently £5 per adult and must be purchased in advance at the Information Centre. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Visit Grange Court Grange Court was originally a market hall where traders would gather to sell their goods under its oak-beamed roof (Image: Portia Jones ) For a history fix, swing by the Grade 2* Listed Grange Court, built in 1633 by John Abel, a master carpenter who left behind some of the finest examples of a half-timbered style. Grange Court was originally a market hall where traders would gather to sell their goods under its oak-beamed roof, and was moved to its present location in 1859. "It's a very special building", says heritage walks leader Pete Blench. Speaking on this episode of the Travel Goals Podcast, Blench adds, "There's not another building in the country like this. There are many market halls, although many others have been destroyed, lost, and burned. This one amazingly survived because it's all timber-framed. It's famous because of the number of extraordinary oak carvings on the exterior walls. They're quite grotesque figures. There's a king with a beard, breasts, mermaids, and strange emblems; they are superb." Today, it's a community space where you can wander in, explore the intricate carvings on the building's exterior, and have coffee and cake in the friendly cafe. Visit boutique shops Like most decent market towns, Leominster has several independent shops selling a variety of goods, from clothing and jewellery to wine and spirits. There are several antique and secondhand stores to browse, where you'll find antiques, vintage items and pre-loved treasures. Minster House Leominster Antiques Centre features 17 rooms filled with antiques from every period, as well as extensive gardens showcasing furniture and other architectural pieces. The Secondhand warehouse has 12,500 sq ft of retail space filled with large vintage and pre-loved furniture items such as dressers, cupboards, and dining tables. Leominster has plenty of cafes and shops (Image: Portia Jones ) Enjoy the gardens Leominster offers various blooming gardens to explore, including the Secret Garden, Stockton Bury Gardens, Aulden Farm, and others open through the National Garden Scheme. The Secret Garden is worth a visit. This walled garden is located at the rear of the Town Council Offices. It's a large grassed area with access to the Leominster Information Centre and Etnam Street Car Park. Watch for community events here, including Leominster Food Fayre, Teddy Bears Picnic and Tea Party events. Explore the Black and White Villages Trail The Pembridge to Eardisland loop is a favourite among cyclists (Image: Portia Jones ) The Black and White Villages Trail can be explored in several ways. Driving is one of the easiest options, allowing you to take in the villages at your own pace. The roads through Herefordshire are quiet and scenic, with each village just a short drive from the next. You can easily spend a whole day exploring two or three towns, enjoying a leisurely lunch or visiting a local museum. Cycling is a fantastic option for a scenic ride along the trail. The route is flat, and the roads are free from heavy traffic, making it an ideal day out for cyclists. If you want a multi-day ride, companies like Wheely Wonderful Cycling offer cycling packages that include bike rentals, route maps, and luggage transport. The Pembridge to Eardisland loop is a favourite among cyclists. It offers lovely countryside views and plenty of opportunities to stop for refreshments. History enthusiasts will love exploring ancient churches, market halls, and manor houses, many of which have stood since the medieval period (Image: Portia Jones ) At just over 9 miles, it's ideal for visitors who want to explore some of the Black & White Villages Trail in a day rather than biking the entire route over two or three days. Pembridge, the starting point, is a quintessentially English village that once enjoyed the patronage of the powerful Mortimer family and the prosperity that went along with it. Its picture-perfect timber-frame buildings line the main Street and are often framed by beautiful spring blossoms or blooming window boxes, giving it that quaint village feel. Companies like Wheely Wonderful Cycling offer cycling packages (Image: Portia Jones ) Honestly, it's almost like you've stepped into a TV show, and this couldn't possibly be where people lived. It's too perfect. If Disney did ye olde England land. I almost expected a town crier to wander out of the 700-year-old pub. You can also pick up provisions from the 500-year-old 'ye olde steps village shop' for your biking adventure. They have many Herefordshire projects, including cheese, biscuits and local gin. From Pembridge, the route passes through country lanes, rural farmland, and orchards as you cycle from village to village on a mostly flat route without much traffic. Along the way, expect the usual countryside features like tractors, horses, local pubs, and a selection of fascinating sights like St Mary Magdalene's church, featuring the work of Herefordshire School of Romanesque sculpture, and you can also see the oldest AA box in the country. Where to eat and drink in Leominster There are loads of places in Herefordshire where you can get great food (Image: Portia Jones ) Leominster has several proper pubs, lovely cafes, and restaurants where you can grab lunch or dinner. The Press Room is a historic, independent bar featuring antique copper and brass utensil decor. They serve real ales, craft beer, Italian coffee, fine tea, stews, and filled rolls. For a proper pub lunch, the dog-friendly White Lion in Leominster, run by Nina and Laz, serves homemade food, real ales, lagers, ciders, and wine. Drapers Lane Delicatessen offers unique sharing boards paired with a glass of wine or local cider. Sit outside with a coffee and watch the world go by. Further afield, The Cider Barn in Pembridge is one of the best places to sample Herefordshire's bountiful produce and changing seasons. A 450-year-old, Grade II-listed barn at Dunkertons Cider Mill, it has an inviting ambience and knowledgeable staff. It's a contemporary dining space in a converted barn that features creative, seasonal menus with locally sourced produce. Most evenings, the restaurant is busy with diners who order local ciders and browse the seasonal à la Carte Menu. Typical dishes include Herefordshire beef Denver with pulled brisket and potato terrine, Smoked vegetable consommé, and Chicken and herb ballotine. Ye Olde Salutation Inn in the village of Weobley is another brilliant spot for classic dishes featuring hearty Herefordshire produce. Step inside this old English Inn to find a warming fire, proper pies, and local ales, including tap beers from Leominster microbrewery The Swan Brewery. Article continues below
BBC News
29-04-2025
- BBC News
Guernsey tourism businesses see 'great' start to summer season
Guernsey tourism businesses say they have had a "great" start to the season, with many seeing an increase in visitors from was a 47% increase in visitors in April compared to 2024, according to Deputy Neil Inder, president of the Economic Development guide Korinne Le Page said this is the first time she has seen her calendar look so Furnace, owner of the Petit Train, said he has also seen a "positive" start to his season. 'Very good' Last month Brittany Ferries started its new timetables for its Guernsey-only Le Page believes the better day-trip offering for French visitors has helped boost numbers."[Brittany Ferries] marketing has been very good and Visit Guernsey have been marketing as well, there's been a lot of work with Normandy and Brittany tour operators and I'm seeing more and more people making inquiries", she said the island was feeling "busier" than in previous years, and this was backed up by the said: "We've had 13,000 passenger movements over the Easter period and up to the end of October we are looking at about 63% up on last year."The experience of Guernsey tourism businesses is in contrast to their counterparts in Jersey, who said they have had the "worst start to a tourist season ever."Ferry company DFDS said it had 6,000 people travel to Jersey with them over said Guernsey "rightly" split from Jersey during the joint tender process for the new lifeline ferry contracts. "We are entirely committed to Brittany Ferries, Guernsey is much loved in Brittany and St Malo and the French like loyalty", he said. Anda Jones, manager of Cadeaux gift shop, said she has also seen an uptick in French customers, who have also helped her learn the said: "They also learn a bit of the patois, like A La Perchoine. Because I don't know French I asked some of the visitors to write a sign."I asked them 'how do you say welcome to our little shop' and they wrote it in French for me, so now I have a little sign outside."Mr Furnace, the Petit Train owner, said he's feeling positive for the season ahead."We're looking forward to it, as long as the weather holds. We are looking forward to Liberation Day and we're optimistic, especially for the French trade coming over. That's expected to be high around August time."
BBC News
14-04-2025
- BBC News
Visitor Information Centre relocates to the heart of Guernsey
The Visitor Information Centre in Guernsey has been relocated to the centre of centre's new home is in the Market Buildings and it is hoped the move will see an increase in footfall to the area as well as making it a more convenient place for people to new location has been renovated and care was taken to protect the history of the Buildings is the starting point for a new walking route created for Guernsey's 80th Liberation Day Anniversary. Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: "This move presented the opportunity to breathe life back into an important building in the heart of St Peter Port."Signage has been put up to ensure that visitors are able to find the new Information Centre manager Ed Man said he hoped the move would make Market Square "a really good hub" for people where they would "want to come and socialise".
