Looking for somewhere to visit for lunch, or maybe a quiet afternoon? These two places near Leominster are surely to tempt you!
NEWTON COURT CIDER
A restaurant, cafe, farm shop and tour hub has opened in Herefordshire and it’s certainly worth a visit.
Newton Court has been in the Stephens family since 1991.
Tom and Ann Stephens took the step of farming organically and also crafting their own cider and perry rather than all the apples being contracted to a local large firm.
Son Paul joined from his background as an agricultural engineer, training with Tom and other producers as a cider maker.
With 157 of organic farmland as its home, Newton Court Cider has developed to showcase one of Herefordshire’s most famous products, be it in bottle, flagon, bag in box or keg.
Ciders are blended or single variety eg Gasping Goose or Yarlington Mill; stronger or more sessionable eg Browns 6.8% or First Press 4.8%; drier or sweeter eg Farmhouse Scrumpy or Little Owl; Newton Court Cider labelled or dual labelled alongside River Cottage.
Initially all cider making activity was conducted alongside the farmyard, using the barns and buildings at the core of the old farm.
In the past decade, new buildings have been erected in a former field on the opposite side of the hamlet lane as the business outgrew the farm buildings.
Investment in sterile filter filling, pasteurising, bottling, bag in box filling and kegging equipment means that the business has a turn key operation from the field to the glass, offering almost all formats suiting different routes to market.
The Stephens family have come together on the Chapel of Apple project to create a Visitor Centre at Newton Court, paying homage to Herefordshire’s magnificent apples, sumptuous cider and local artisan produce.
The spacious, contemporary new restaurant and cafe at Newton Court is a great destination for Herefordshire dining.
The menu was created to showcase some of the amazing produce that the county offers and Newton Court have chosen to work with a number of local suppliers to keep food miles to a minimum.
Like the sound of it all? Book a visit now –https://www.newtoncourtcider.com/herefordshire-dining-at-newton-court-restaurant-and-cafe/
FISHERMANS ARMS AT DOCKLOW POOLS
An unbelievably good Sunday Roast, wonderful countryside walks and fabulous fishing. This Herefordshire venue really does tick all the boxes!
That’s right, the Fishermans Arms at Docklow Pools near Leominster is certainly popular.
‘We are a great little country pub offering lovely pub grub.
‘Our pub is part of Docklow Pools, which was founded way back in 1972, when two 20-year-olds aspired to getting out of the town and factories to own their own business.
‘Some 50+ years later, Docklow Pools is not only the first ever commercial fishery in the country, but possibly the most respected and beautiful places to holiday and fish you can find.
‘Docklow Pools & the Fisherman’s Arms work hand in hand to offer peaceful enjoyable times for both residents and locals a like.
‘We don’t apologise for the large ish portions or that the dishes are mostly homemade aimed to Fishermen & partners, but its great everyone can come and share the fun.
‘We’ve sixty holiday properties on a weekly holiday lease basis for adults only, 14 fishing lakes, 110 acres of land & woodland to stroll and four private river stretches around the county.
‘So, there’s quite a bit going on, even in deepest Herefordshire.
‘In the summer season, we are open as a pub, café, coffee shop & restaurant 7 mornings, lunches and evenings a week. So, you won’t go hungry!
‘Out of season, we are open Thursdays and weekends for food & drink.’
‘In 2022, the team won the local award for the “Best Breakfast in Herefordshire”. That wasn’t just for tried and tested Full English, it was for all the marvellous alternatives like homemade American Pancakes and Eggs Benedict. Super Deb & Tracey quite marvellous at what they do.’
‘Sunday is our locally success, our Sunday Lunch served as a Carvery. It’s very popular for a reason so it is strongly advisable to book in advance. Out of season we work 11.30am to 4pm, but in the summer it’s all day, lunch time to 9pm. Poor Neil’s hand must be falling off by then!’
You can find out more about this fabulous venue by visiting – https://www.thefishermansarms.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw84anBhCtARIsAISI-xdnneFY6RFrwrzMpNANBsHeynhnLX56Bg6Ocuub52Gd0IBEzRQf2jYaAj-ZEALw_wcB
