HEREFORDSHIRE PATHS, the BLACK MOUNTAINS, the BRECON BEACONS, OFFA'S DYKE PATH and the MALVERN HILLS makes Hedley Lodge a great centre to explore a rich and varied English and Welsh borderlands.

HEREFORDSHIRE has an excellent network of paths with over 2,113 miles of rights of way making it possible to explore the furthest reaches of the county and its gently rolling hills. As well as being famous for salmon fishing, the River Wye provides a beautiful background for scenic walks. The Wye passes within half a mile from Belmont and in former years was frequently navigated by the monks from the Abbey.

Just over the border into Wales are the BLACK MOUNTAINS with churches like the ruined Llantony Abbey, waterfalls and stunning views. Further afield is the BRECON BEACONS NATIONAL PARK with spectacular mountain ranges and bountiful wildlife. Pen-y-fan, its highest point at 2907 feet can just be seen from the abbey gardens rising above the Black Mountains.

OFFA'S DYKE NATIONAL PARK TRAIL makes a dramatic crossing of Wales from north to south. Its early stages trace the wooded valley of the Wye up to Monmouth and then turns west and north to cross the austere ridges of the Black Mountains before dropping on to gentler ground again at Hay-on Wye.

THE MALVERN HILLS are a 9 mile range of rocks that divide the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Much of their impact and beauty arises from the way they dramatically rise out of the landscape. The British Camp Hill (Herefordshire Beacon) is 338m high. Another feature of the hills are the springs and fountains that flow from them, particulary St Ann's Well and Holy Well.