Leominster, Herefordshire
Leominster is quite a handy market town, not very big, but it has a supermarket and a few well known stores; other than that, most of the shops that line the main street are independently owned, which is good to see. They include galleries, a butchers, a cheesemongers, a barometer shop and several antique emporiums, so if that sounds like your kind of thing you ought to allow a few hours for a browse. Make sure you take in Drapers Lane – when the sun is shining and the bunting is strung across the narrow street it has quite a lively air.
The town has its fair share of characterful half timbered buildings; leaded panes, wonky windows and the upper storey jutting out over the street are all par for the course. These are the Black and White Buildings that Herefordshire is famous for and quite aptly, Leominster is where the 40 mile Black and White Village Trail starts and ends. What else to do? You could have a look at the former priory (now a church) and a browse in the museum to learn a bit about the local history, or you could have a pokey about and find somewhere to stop for cake and coffee.
All information correct at the time of writing