“Hay hoovers up the best writers published in the world. This has over the years, created a self-reinforcing phenomenon: they get the best, and so the best want to come.” The Guardian. However, not only writers come to Hay; there are also musicians and comedians and commentators. This year will see Howard Jacobson, for example, but also Jo Brand, Mohamed ElBaradei, Vanessa Redgrave (on Palestine) and Sandi Toksvig. Rowan Williams will be there too - and The Afro Celt Sound System sounds awfully interesting! Click on the photo to take you through to the Hay Festival website.

Here is Daubentons, our new property coming soon, covered in thick snow to match the white cowl on top of the hop kiln.

Visitors to The Wainhouse will be familiar with the little butterfly-shaped boxes containing one black and one white chocolate which we leave as part of their welcome basket, and those guests arriving at Christmas or Easter into any of the cottages know they will receive larger selections of these chocolates made and sold in Ledbury by Ben and Melissa Boyle. The cocoa beans for the Belgian chocolate buttons which Ben uses come from all over the world. He transforms them into a wide selection of chocolates and he and Mel are now planning to sell them online too. Click on any of the photos to take you to their website.

Held at the Herefordshire Race Course, this year sees the fifth Food Festival.  There will be cookery demonstrations, including some by the Hairy Bikers, the current celebrity guests.The food pavilion will be providing space for over seventy independent food and drink producers from the area. You will almost certainly have heard of Bulmers, Westons Cider and Tyrells Crisps, all from Herefordshire, but there are many other small cider companies, breweries and several vineyards, Pixley Berries (sold at Waitrose), Jo Hilditch’s British Cassis, Neal’s Yard Creamery, chocolates, ice-creams, breads, hand-made puddings, preserves and fruit juices. There is now even  the Chase Distillery. Founded by William Chase who started Tyrells Crisps, it produces the country’s only potato vodka and excellent gin.Click on any photograph to take you to the appropriate website.

Newent already had an Onion Fair in medieval times. Although it died out during the early C20th, it was revived in 1996 and now is a very popular event celebrating the start of harvest and showcasing local food and drink. What is, in effect, a town party, is unique in the country, as at its heart is the famous Newent Onion Show. Entrants are invited from growers of all Alliums, so leeks, garlic and chives are also welcomed. There are sections for children and teenagers, onion-stringing and an onion-eating competition, all leading to cash prizes and highly-sought-after trophies. This year’s guest of honour is Adam Henson, familiar to many from his part in the BBC Countryfile programme. Apart from onions, you will find music and dancing (including a medieval band and Morris dancers), side shows, fishing, fancy dress, model boats, fairground rides, singing, a dog show, wedding dress exhibition  and, of course, stalls selling  all sorts of tempting items. The Newent Onion Fair seems to have everything. Click on the photos to take you to the website.