Our farm lies in the foothills of the Welsh Black Mountains. The surrounding area has a rich history dating back to the pre-Roman era and visitors can discover many inspiring historical sites. The nearest towns are: the Cathedral City of Hereford, and market towns of Abergavenny, Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye. The small Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye – famous for its books and literary festival – lies north-west of us.
Being a frontier county on the Welsh Marches has left many inspiring, fortified remains such as Grosmont, Skenfrith, Whitecastle and Raglan. St. Peter’s, our pretty Norman parish church with its unique stone carved tympanum above the door, is just 200 metres down the road. A little further afield is Dore Abbey, founded by Cistercian monks in 1174. A short drive away you can find the stunning medieval ruins of Llanthony Abbey and Priory.
Wildlife at Rowlestone
Around the farm you can find wild orchids, wild service trees, small leaved limes, coppice ash from the Great War era, ramsons, celandine, bluebells, anenomes. You can also see rabbits, foxes and even wild deer! Birds that visit us over the year include Skylark, Bullfinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch, House Sparrow, House Martin, Swallow, Yellow Hammer, Pied Wagtail, Linnet, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Crow, Jay, Raven, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Gold Crest, Greater Spotted and Green Woodpecker and if you look closely you may even spot a wren! Birds of prey that nest around the far include Buzzard, Red Kite and Kestrel.