Fownhope Village
Found along the banks of the River Wye sits the Village of Fownhope, an area in Herefordshire known for its outstanding natural beauty. This small and vibrant village is home to a range of pubs, hotels, local businesses and modern facilities such as its leisure centre and recreation sports field. With a population of only 999 people the village has a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere with a variety of societies, clubs and events happening throughout the year, bringing residents of all ages together to celebrate.
Fownhope is most known for its natural beauty and links to nature, with a large selection of stunning walks through the hills and along the riverbanks to choose from, including the famous Wye Valley Walk which begins nearby. During spring there are fantastic displays of wild flowers in the woods and fields, particularly in the local nearby woodlands, Lea and Pagets Wood.
The village maintains a strong identity and the Heart of Oak society, which has been running for many years, holds a number of events throughout the year including the annual Heart of Oak Club Walk, where villagers, old and young, process though the streets with sticks decorated with elaborate flowers and silver décor, stopping along the way to sample local produce such as the locally brewed apple cider fresh from the orchards surrounding the village. The village also holds annual firework and bonfire displays, as well as a number of seasonal festivals.
What to do in Fownhope:
Local things to get stuck into include canoeing, horse riding, fishing and a vast selection of other outdoor activities including nature walks, exploring the county’s Black and White Trail, and visiting the fascinating ancient Eastnor and Goodrich castles which are close by. There’s even the Hereford Cider Route in which you can samples the best of the local cider whilst enjoying a day outside in nature.
Flicks and Sticks is the village’s locally run movie club, which opens its doors the first Friday of every month and features films ranging from British comedy classics to more current blockbuster movies. This event has become a fixture of the local’s social calendar and is a fantastic way for the community to gather to enjoy a fun evening together.
The Fownhope Fringe Society was founded by a group of friends from the village who wanted to organise workshops and events which would interest the whole community, including programmes such as creative writing, music, art, wine tasting, photography and crafts. The events run each Saturday morning in the Pavilion on the Recreation Field and is big hit with the local population.
Whilst there are numerous stunning nature walks to find around the area the most famous is the Wye Valley Walk, a 136 mile walk through the beautiful countryside which will take you through ravine gorges cloaked in woodland, through meadows and orchards and rugged remote upland areas. Amongst the breathtaking scenery you’ll be sure to spot some local flora and fauna, with buzzards, bluebells, bats, peregrine falcons and red kites making this walk a wildlife lover’s dream.
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