Page 61 - The Ultimate Herefordshire Guide 2017

Among Hellens’ attractions are the haunted rooms prepared for Bloody Mary Tudor and her tutor Fetherstone; the Stone Hall and its great fireplace bearing the Black Prince’s crest and the Minstrel Gallery. Now it remains a living home, and not a museum, although it contains a wealth of period furnishings, artifacts, paintings and decorations. It also offers accommodation in its converted buildings, weddings and retreats and courses. The family Trust which presently run Hellens serves both the community and the general public, particularly in three areas: with music, (Hellensmusic, and events), in literacy and language (programmes associated with our patronage of the Ledbury Poetry Festival) and with the environment (the Back2Wild project and the Hellens Garden Festival). They work to provide projects and activities for schools and students of all ages, not forgetting adults and pensioners. The romantic English garden incorporates a rare 17C octagonal dovecot, a physic garden, a yew labyrinth, a lovely knot garden and rose garden, woodland and ponds, herb and kitchen gardens, and look out for the bee hives from which Hellens’ own honey is made.
Privately owned and one of Herefordshire’s most theatrical locations, Hampton Court Castle and Gardens at Hope-under- Dinmore began life in 15C as a country house and went on to be castellated in spectacular style. The interiors depict the grandeur of their times and the tour guides have the stories to accompany them. Between visitors it is an exclusive wedding and event venue, staging many of its own public events too. The stunning 12 acre gardens, billed as one of the most ambitious creations of our time, feature a kitchen garden, walled Victorian garden, an underground tunnel that leads to a waterfall and sunken water garden, canals, island pavilions and pleached avenues. Marvel at the blooms of the 150 year old wisteria arch walk and the fragrant rose gardens are prize-winning, on route to the castle’s own puzzle maze and look-out tower.
forthcoming events
The Floral Escape
Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, Ledbury
hellensmanor.com ............................................... April
Eastnor Castle
April
Easter at Eastnor
eastnorcastle.com
...............................................
April
Eastnor Chilli Festival
Eastnor Castle
eastnorcastle.com
...............................................
May
Hellens Music Festival
Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, Ledbury
hellensmanor.com ............................................... June
Deer Park, Eastnor Castle
Cliff Richard Concert
eastnorcastle.com
...............................................
June
Family Fun Day
Eastnor Castle
eastnorcastle.com
...............................................
June/July
Cirue Du Soul Presents:
El Dorado Festival
Deer Park, Eastnor Castle eastnorcastle.com ............................................... September
Lakefest
Deer Park, Eastnor Castle
lakefest.co.uk
...............................................
October
Pop up Opera
- Hansel & Gretal
Hellens Manor, Much Marcle, Ledbury
hellensmanor.com ............................................... October
Mud Bath
Deer Park, Eastnor Castle eastnorcastle.com ............................................... November
Laser and Firework Spectacular Hampton Court Castle hamptoncourt.org.uk ............................................... December
Hampton Court Christmas Fair Hampton Court Castle hamptoncourt.org.uk
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