The Town in the Orchard
Perched on the banks of the River Teme and brushing up against the Herefordshire border, Tenbury Wells is a charming market town that wears its rural heritage with pride. Though officially in Worcestershire, its soul is deeply entwined with the lush orchards and gentle landscapes of the surrounding Herefordshire countryside.
Known affectionately as "the town in the orchard," Tenbury Wells has long been a center for apple growing, hop farming, and cider making. In Victorian times, it gained popularity as a spa town after mineral springs were discovered nearby, leading to the "Wells" being added to its name. Remnants of that era remain, most notably in the striking Pump Rooms — a quirky, richly ornate building designed in the Chinese Gothic style, now a beloved local landmark.
The town's high street is lined with independent shops, historic pubs, and timber-framed buildings that echo its medieval past.
Every year, it hosts the Tenbury Applefest, a celebration of its fruitful heritage with local produce, crafts, music, and, of course, plenty of cider.
Surrounded by rolling hills and crisscrossed by rivers and footpaths, Tenbury is a peaceful base for exploring both Worcestershire and neighbouring Herefordshire. It sits comfortably at the confluence of rural charm, historic character, and quiet creativity — a town that may be small in size but large in heart.
