Aylestone Court, near to Hereford town centre and the railway station, was a great discovery. It is a 9-bedroom townhouse personally run by a mother and son team. Décor is smart and contemporary throughout.

Each bedroom is individually styled with rich materials, fluffy towels, restful colour schemes and up to date TV/DVD players and WIFI throughout. Two rooms are licensed for civil weddings. The dining room overlooks the pretty walled garden and this and the patio provide a good backdrop for photographs.

A menu might start with baked stilton and walnut avocado, followed by Paradise green pork (free range) and herb sausage, with a dark chocolate and amaretto torte to finish. A lighter bar menu is available in the Club Room.

A meeting room is available for up to 30 delegates with all modern amenities. The cathedral city of Hereford was once the Saxon capital of West Mercia. Treasures in the superb 11th-century cathedral include brasses, ancient books and the famous 14th-century Mappa Mundi. All around is the spectacular March countryside with the Black Mountains and many National Trust properties to visit.

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