Travelling through Herefordshire you cannot fail to drink in the beautiful scenery.  You may even be tempted to eat the villages themselves, for the northwest corner of Herefordshire is pure chocolate box country.  But seven of those villages don’t want you to drive through drooling over their character.  They want you to STOP!  Park the car, get out to stretch your legs and explore.  Why not find out about the wealth of history that exists here?  Let’s take the lid off these chocolate box villages and search for a soft centre.

            Confusingly, Leintwardine lies within Herefordshire, yet has a Shropshire address and post code system.  The Roman’s didn’t have this problem when they founded the village, referring to it instead as Branogenium or Bravonium.  Many Roman artefacts can be viewed at the Library, whilst some remnants can even be seen in the Church.  Nestling on the banks of the River Teme, Leintwardine retains its bustle, having maintained its village stores, petrol station, bank and even a fish and chip shop.  It also hosts the National Coracle Regatta in June, where these traditional welsh fishing boats are raced on the river waters, to ensure that the craft doesn’t disappear downstream.  Circular in shape and controlled by just one paddle, they are capable of being carried across land on the owners back, like a rucksack.

            The Roman road from Leintwardine pushes further into our Herefordshire selection and just before arriving at Wigmore, glimpses of its ruined castle can be spied through the trees.  Despite accommodating one of the largest schools in the north of the county, there are areas of Wigmore that retain its historic charm.  There are potters and wooden furniture makers with workshops here, and the village is also home to the Wigmore Medieval Festival.  The walk uphill to the Church and Castle is particularly beautiful, illustrating how Wigmore nestles in a large bowl within the Herefordshire Hills.  What happens when you mix the ingredients of fresh air, a relaxed atmosphere and beauty in this bowl?  The answer is a very soft centred heaven.

            Turning west through our selection box, the next village on our menu is Shobdon.  So keen are the villagers for you to stop, they’ve even built a small visitor centre, from where it’s possible to explore all the village sights.  The first of these is located on the summit of a hill near the centre.  The Romanesque Shobdon Arches are actually remains from an earlier church, but that doesn’t mean that the current church is less spectacular.  Step inside and find one of the country’s finest examples of a Georgian Gothic interior.  In the village itself, the Bateman Arms public house has been trading for over 400 years, so those seeking relaxation, a quiet drink with good food, can settle here, whilst the energetic members of the family head towards Shobdon airfield with it’s plane and helicopter rides.

            In the next segment lies Eardisland, with one of the most photographed scenes in the area.  Quaint black and white cottages nestle by the sedate waters of the River Arrow, as does a recently refurbished Grade II listed Dovecote.  Step inside for two floors of information, before wandering around the medieval Church of St Mary the Virgin, with its 15^th Century carvings and exhibitions from local artists and photographers.  On the outskirts of the village lies Burton Court, with an impressive Georgian façade, which actually hides a much older medieval hall.  Open during the summer on selected days, visitors can view the huge collection of European and Oriental costumes stored there.

            Arriving in Pembridge it’s amazing to see how it has survived.  Occasional heavy goods vehicles negotiate the main street with extreme care, as overhanging upper floors of traditional black and white homes enhance its narrowness.  The New Inn is actually 600 years old, and is built in a similar style enhanced further by a large Wisteria bush growing along its walls.  Nearby St Mary’s Church dates back to the 14^th Century and has a separate Bell Tower, reputedly used as a place of refuge by fighters during the English – Welsh border scuffles.  Kings House is the location for the Black and White Villages Visitor Centre, and regular filmgoers may recognise scenes from the village used in the Hollywood production, Unconditional Love starring Rupert Everett and Cathy Bates.

            Dropping down to the middle left section of our selection box, Eardisley exists mainly along one street, with buildings dating back nearly a thousand years.  Home to two pubs, a second hand bookshop and a restored village pump house that was still used in the 1960’s, inhabitants continue to worship at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, with its 800-year-old intricately carved Norman font.  The Great Oak of Eardisley, found on the outskirts, is reputed to have been recorded in the Domesday Book.

            The remaining sweet in our chocolate selection can be seen long before actual arrival.  The spire of the Church of St Peter and St Paul is one of the highest in the area.  The remains of the Motte and Bailey castle provide a good climb with excellent views over the village with its traditional shops and craft outlets, which include The Old Forge, The Pottery and The Willow Gallery.  Weobley was also used during filming of Unconditional Love, although more of it’s history can be seen in the local Museum.  Quiet lanes radiate out across the county making it an idyllic spot from which to tour.

            These Welcome Villages are not something to gobble down in a frenzied tour of the county.  Stop and explore them.  There are places to stay, places to visit and plenty of places to eat and drink.  They’ve even got a website telling you more about their magic ingredients (www.welcomevillages.org).  Many of these villages have been in the making for over a thousand years.  Slow down and stop next time you’re passing through.  There are some chocolates that should be savoured as they just melt in the mouth.