What’s On
A listing of annual events held in “Ledburyshire”
If you are planning a trip to Tinsmiths here are some of the great shows, festivals and events that happen annually within easy reach of Ledbury. For times, tickets and full information follow the links to the organiser’s website. To find some of the temporary exhibitions, one-off events, shows or to find holiday accommodation we suggest looking at eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk, visitherefordshire.co.uk or visitthemalverns.co.uk
Why not make a mini-holiday of your visit and explore the beautiful surrounding countryside?
January
Herefordshire Wassailing – Traditionally held on the twelfth night after Christmas, the English tradition of wassailing is performed in orchards to ward off evil-spirits and awaken the apple trees from their Winter slumbers. The annual Westons Cider wassail is led by the Silurian Morris who bless the apple trees to ensure a good harvest for cider making in the year ahead. This year the The Crown at Woolhope will be hosting a wassail on 20th January 2024. Details about other wassail events taking place within the county can be found on www.eatsleepliveherefordshire.co.uk. Wrap up warm and enjoy the spectacle.
March
Borderlines Film Festival – Held in March, the festival offers over two weeks of amazing screenings from around the world, across Shropshire, Herefordshire and The Marches. Go tp the festival website to see this year’s programme.
1st-17th March 2024
The Cheltenham Gold Cup Week – Held each year in the middle of March this is the climax of the entire jump racing season and an event with tremendous atmosphere. Book tickets here.
12th – 15th March 2024
Kempley Daffodil Weekends – In March and early April the fields, woods and verges between the villages of Newent, Kempley and Dymock become carpeted with the small, pale yellow bobbing heads of a myriad of wild daffodils. The area, known as the Golden Triangle, becomes the backdrop to a series of organised walks, afternoon teas and events relating to the Dymock Poets, who were famously inspired by the area, to celebrate this delightful natural wonder.
16th & 17th March 2024
Tinsmiths Exhibition: Stuart Houghton Ceramics and Woodware – the first in a series of exhibitions for 2024 featuring some of our favourite artists and makers, to mark Tinsmiths’ 20th anniversary year.
28th March – 27th April 2024
April
Malvern Flea and Collectors Fair – Easter Monday in the Malvern Hills is coloured by the arrival of a stream of traders heading towards the Three Counties Showground to set out their stalls. Be sure to have many hours allocated for this immense display of furniture, collectibles and bric-a-brac for sale.
Although Malvern Flea Fair runs once every month, Easter Monday brings together some of the finest traders from across the UK.
Easter Monday 1st April 2024
May
The Big Apple Association is a community run group, centred around the apple-growing area close to Ledbury. Much of the produce is used to make cider and perry. The Association runs a festival to mark blossom-time and harvest each year with lots of activities (including much tasting) for all ages.
5th & 6th May 2024
The RHS Spring Festival is held in early to middle May and is the first in the calendar of RHS Gardening Shows. Malvern Spring Festival brings inspiring show gardens, spectacular blooms and plenty of ideas to get green-fingered at home.
9th – 12th May 2024
The Hay Literary Festival is one of the UK’s most established literary festivals and encompasses a huge range. Having a brilliant programme of talks, children’s events and live music.
23rd May- 2nd June 2024
Malvern Walking Festival is nine days of themed walks in and around the Malvern Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
25th May- 2nd June 2024
June
Hellens Garden Festival is a summer celebration of all that is sustainable and eclectic, crafted and grown, and is held in the wonderful grounds and gardens of Hellens Manor. The theme for 2024 is Waste to Wonder.
8th-9th June 2024
Royal Three Counties Show is real bounty of farming, food, rural, agricultural, gardening and equine demonstrations, competitions, talks and displays. With plenty to see and do for all ages, this makes for a great summer holiday weekend!
14th-16th June 2024
Tinsmiths Exhibition: Tamsin Abbott Stained Glass – one in a series of exhibitions for 2024 featuring some of our favourite artists and makers, to mark Tinsmiths’ 20th anniversary year.
21st June – 7th July 2024
July
Ledbury Poetry Festival– the biggest international celebration of poetry and spoken word in the UK. The festival, which runs for ten days from late June/early July, is an excellent excuse for Ledbury to swathe itself in bunting as it plays host to a great range of events in and around the town.
28th June-7th July 2024
Welland Steam & Country Rally is a fantastic weekend filled with tractor-pulling, nostalgic fairgrounds, Steam engines, vintage vehicles, agricultural demonstrations and military displays.
26th-28th July 2024
The Royal Welsh Show is a celebration of rural life set in stunning scenery at Builth Wells. Held for four days, midweek, third week of July.
22nd – 25th July 2024
The Three Choirs Festival is a week-long programme of choral and orchestral concerts, cathedral services, solo and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, talks, theatre, exhibitions and walks, rotating each summer between the beautiful English cathedral cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester.
For 2024, Three Choirs Festival will take place in Worcester.
27th July – 3rd August 2024
Tinsmiths Exhibition: Jenny Crisp Basketmaker – one in a series of exhibitions for 2024 featuring some of our favourite artists and makers, to mark Tinsmiths’ 20th anniversary year.
26th July – 17th August 2024
August
Lakefest is a wonderful family festival set in the picturesque Deer Park at Eastnor, Herefordshire. A weekend where music, entertainment, performances, activities and rides come together to deliver an unmeasured festival that you’ll want to come back to every year! Book tickets here
7th-11th August 2024
The Hereford Indie Food Festival is held in the centre of Hereford over August Bank Holiday weekend and includes a programme of talks, suppers and live music. You will be surprised at the number of independent food producers working in Herefordshire.
2024 dates to be announced
September
Tinsmiths Exhibition: Papercut Pigeons and Brass Boots – The final, in a series of exhibitions for 2024 to mark Tinsmiths’ 20th anniversary year. In conjunction with Tilley Printing this exhibition will also celebrate Martin Clark’s 60th anniversary as a Master Printer and will be a feast of print including historic letterpress items from the archive and new work by Mark Hearld, Jonny Hannah, Marion Elliot, Paul Young, Matt & Amanda Caines, Katie.B.Morgan, Clare de la Torre, Luis de la Torre, The Wheat Weaver and Jen Whiskerd. An exhibition not to be missed!
5th September – 7th October 2024
The arrival of h.Art , Herefordshire’s annual arts trail, peppers the county in pink flags and signs in early September. The event is held at over 100 venues throughout Herefordshire and includes open studios, exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations and offers the visitor access to the work of over 175 artists each year. It is also a great excuse to explore more of Herefordshire and discover new artists and makers.
7th – 15th September 2024
Heritage Open Days – every September some 40,000 volunteers across England organise 5,000 events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences.
6th-15th September 2024
October
The Trumpet and District Agricultural Society have held ploughing matches in “Ledburyshire” since before the second world war, often hosting international competitions. As you’d expect the matches are held at the beginning of October and include the annual fruit show. Lots of fun, masses of skill and some horse teams too.
The Big Apple Association is a community run group, centred around the apple-growing area close to Ledbury. Much of the produce is used to make cider and perry. The Association runs a festival to mark blossom time and harvest each year with lots of activities (including much tasting) for all ages.
The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival has a huge list of talks by writers, comedians, historians and celebrities on all sorts of topics and includes a programme for young adults. Held at the beginning to mid. October in the centre of the town.
November
Hay Festival Winter Weekend A programme of impressive literary talent packed into one weekend in the rural town of Hay-on-Wye.
28th November – 1st December 2024
December
Ledbury Christmas Shopping Event. Ledbury’s annual late night shopping event for the festive season usually takes place on the first Friday in December. Expect carols, bell ringing, mulled wine and generally a jolly, festive vibe around the town.