The Courtyard Theatre

The Courtyard Theatre in Hereford is a proper working arts venue - the kind of place that actually programmes interesting theatre, dance, and live music rather than just hosting touring productions. You'll find everything from contemporary drama to comedy nights, plus cinema screenings and exhibitions. It's genuinely well-run, with a real sense of what the local community wants to see.

The building itself is smart and unpretentious. There's a decent café where you can grab a coffee before the show, and the staff know what they're talking about. Performances range from amateur dramatics to professional touring companies, so quality varies - worth checking their website first to see what's on.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Ridge Hill, Broadmeadow, or Cuckoo's Corner are all within three miles - this makes for a proper evening out without a drive. Hereford city centre is compact enough to walk around beforehand, grab dinner somewhere, then head to a show. It's ideal if you've got teens who are bored with countryside walks, or if you're after some culture mid-holiday.

Book tickets in advance rather than turning up on the day. Admission isn't free, but prices are reasonable for regional theatre - usually somewhere between £10-20 depending on what's on. Allow a couple of hours if you're making an evening of it with the café. The venue takes about twenty minutes to walk to from most of the caravan parks, longer if the weather's rough.