Black & White Villages
Think: bold black oak beams, bright whitewalls, wonky doorways and streets that look like they were built for Instagram before Instagram existed.
A collection of Herefordshire villages sits along the famous Black & White Village Trail - a scenic route of cosy pubs, independent spots and slow-country charm. Weobley is right on the trail, making it the perfect stop-off if you’re exploring.
It’s the kind of place where you wander without a plan, grab lunch in a centuries-old pub, and accidentally take 200 photos!
Enter Hamnet: Film Magic in the Countryside
The 2025 adaptation of Hamnet, Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel - brought Hollywood-level film making to these quiet lanes. Directed by Chloé Zhao and starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, the film reimagines Shakespeare’s family story with raw emotion and stunning visuals.
And here’s the cool part: instead of using Stratford-upon-Avon, the production chose Weobley to recreate 16th-century England. Its untouched timbered streets became the backdrop for Shakespeare’s world, transformed with hay bales, market stalls and period details.
And just a stones throw away and through historic country lanes is Cwmmau Farmhouse, a beautifully preserved 17th-century farmhouse that doubles as the childhood home of Agnes, Shakespear’s wife. This atmospheric location was used for intimate scenes in the movie and owned by The National Trust, you can even stay there!
The River Wye: The Real Scene-Stealer
Flowing through the valley nearby, the River Wye adds that cinematic, misty-morning magic you see on screen. It’s calm, reflective, and ridiculously beautiful - whilst the famous ‘to be or not to be’ scene was filmed along the river Thames, other scenes were filmed along the River Wye.
Walk It Like You’re in the Film
If you want the full immersive experience, there are walking routes linking Weobley with neighbouring villages like Pembridge - winding through green fields, quiet lanes and ancient woodland.I t’s peaceful, grounding and gives main-character energy in the best way.
Add in local cider farms, historic churches and proper country pubs, and you’ve got a day that feels both wholesome and cinematic.
Why Base Yourself in Hay-on-Wye?
Stay in Hay-on-Wye and you get the best mix: bookshop culture, riverside views, cool cafés and easy access to these storybook villages. One day you’re browsing rare books, the next you’re exploring a real-life Tudor backdrop from an Oscar-nominated film.
It’s slow travel with style.
Aesthetic history and cinematic countryside…Ready to explore?