Summary of Attractions in Hereford
The cathedral city of Hereford is situated along the River Wye, close to the Welsh border. Hereford boasts a charming historical center known as High Town, characterized by pedestrian-friendly streets and independent businesses. The city’s economy reflects Herefordshire’s agricultural heritage, significantly exemplified by the Hereford Cattle Market, which recently relocated to the outskirts, and the historic cider production, originating from local brands such as Bulmers.
Notably, Hereford Cathedral stands as a prime attraction, showcasing much of its original Norman stonework dating back to the early 12th century. Additionally, the New Library Building is home to the Mappa Mundi, an elaborately illustrated map of the world from 1300. Let us delve into the most compelling activities in Hereford:
1. Hereford Cathedral
For enthusiasts of Medieval architecture, Hereford Cathedral is an absolute must-see. Originally constructed in the 7th century, the cathedral underwent significant reconstruction during the Norman period, spanning from 1079 to the mid-12th century. The Romanesque design is evident in the nave’s columns and semi-circular arches, as well as in the connecting archways of the transepts.
Visitors should take time to explore the intricately carved misericords dating from the 14th century found among the choir stalls. Furthermore, the cathedral is home to monuments dedicated to Hereford’s 12th and 13th-century bishops and features a Norman baptismal font located on the south side of the nave.
2. Mappa Mundi
Opened in 1996, the New Library Building enhances the preservation of this Medieval treasure while maintaining optimal climate conditions for the Cathedral’s Chained Library. The Mappa Mundi, created in the early 14th century, is the largest surviving Medieval map worldwide and holds considerable importance as an illustrated Medieval manuscript in the UK.
This remarkable document, measuring 158 x 133 cm and crafted on calf skin, places Jerusalem at its center, also depicting the Garden of Eden. The map features approximately 500 illustrations representing cities, towns, inhabitants, flora and fauna, as well as imagery inspired by classical mythology. Though the map may initially seem complex to contemporary observers, interpretation boards and expert commentary facilitate understanding.
3. Chained Library
Fans of the series Game of Thrones may recognize the influence of historical libraries that employed chains on their shelves, mirroring the security system visible at Hereford Cathedral’s Chained Library. This library is particularly notable as the only remaining institution of its kind that retains all of its original chains, rods, and locks, still operational and in position.
The library’s origin dates to the 17th century, while the New Library Building houses 229 Medieval manuscripts arranged as they were between 1611 and 1841. The collection itself consists of even older works, highlighted by the Hereford Gospels, crafted in the 8th century.
4. Black and White House Museum
Revered as one of Hereford’s primary landmarks, this exquisite Jacobean timber-framed house, erected in the early 1620s, is also known as the Old House. It features picturesque leaded bay windows and intricate carvings adorning its doors and eaves. Originally a butcher’s shop, the building remained a commercial establishment until 1929, when it transitioned into a museum.
Visitors will appreciate the building’s interior, which remains historically preserved, showcasing rare frescoes, an impressive collection of English oak furniture, and informative panels about Jacobean life in Hereford. Interactive puzzles and period costumes are available for children to enjoy.
5. Cider Museum
The surrounding countryside features abundant orchards, with the city of Hereford emerging as a global center for cider production. One notable international brand, Bulmers, originated here, with its historic factory established by Henry Percival Bulmer in 1887 now transformed into a museum.
This museum opened in the early 1980s after production moved to a modern facility outside the city. The exhibits provide insights into the cider-making history in Herefordshire, detailing the processes of milling, pressing apples, and fermenting juice to create one of the UK’s beloved beverages. Many components of the Victorian factory, including the cooper’s workshop and champagne cider cellars, remain preserved. Visitors can witness live pressing demonstrations in the autumn and explore a shop offering various ciders, cider brandy, and cider vinegar.
6. Waterworks Museum
A scenic walk along the Wye leads to this museum, which occupies a Victorian water pumping station dating back to 1856. The Waterworks Museum houses the largest collection of operational pumping engines in the UK, featuring an array of steam-powered beam engines from the Industrial Revolution alongside petrol, diesel, gas engines, and modern submersible electric pumps.
The standout exhibit is a two-storey triple expansion steam engine, the oldest machine of its type still functioning in the country. The facility has been restored to reflect its 19th-century design, with exhibitions that highlight the historical significance of water in human civilization. Children can engage with replicas of ancient water-lifting devices and operational models of Victorian steam engines.
7. All Saints Church
Located on the High Street in High Town, All Saints Church is easily identifiable by its distinctive twisted spire. Dating back to the early 1200s, the church retains much of its original design, with a significant redesign occurring during the 14th century. In addition to functioning as a parish church, it serves as a community hub following restoration work in the 1990s. The nave is often utilized for a variety of community events, including discussions, theatrical performances, and concerts.
The inviting Café @ All Saints is a popular spot for patrons seeking vegetarian options, featuring an outdoor terrace that enhances the communal atmosphere.
8. St Francis Xavier’s Church
St Francis Xavier’s Church, with its Neoclassical design, stands prominently on Broad Street. Completed in 1839, the building is framed by two substantial Doric columns at its entrance. Established by the Roman Catholic Society of Jesus after the enactment of the Catholic Relief Act of 1829, which reinstated Catholics in the political sphere after a prolonged period of marginalization, the church’s lack of windows reflects the era’s lingering anti-Catholic sentiment.
The church boasts a sumptuous interior illuminated through a lightwell and features exquisite stuccowork, framed by two Ionic columns at the altar.
9. Bull Statue
The name “Hereford” is globally recognized for its association with a distinctive breed of cattle originating in Herefordshire. Currently, an estimated five million purebred Hereford cattle are found across 50 countries. The local football team, Hereford F.C., nicknamed “The Bulls,” celebrates its namesake by parading a genuine Hereford bull on the pitch at Edgar Street before each home game.
To commemorate this agricultural heritage, the city unveiled a life-sized bronze statue of a Hereford Bull in front of the Black and White House Museum in 2012.
10. Berrington Hall
A prominent excursion from Hereford leads to Berrington Hall, a Neoclassical country house under the National Trust, located 15 miles to the north. Completed in the early 1780s, the house showcases a striking exterior of red sandstone and an imposing portico. Inside, the decor reflects a softer aesthetic, embodying the architect Henry Holland’s sensibilities of Louis XVI style.
Berrington Hall is renowned as the most complete of Holland’s mansions, featuring elegant reception rooms adorned with intricate plasterwork and gracefully designed fireplaces. The centerpiece, the Staircase Hall, is illuminated from above by the dome, bordered by Corinthian columns and pilasters crafted in scagliola.
Capability Brown, Holland’s partner and father-in-law, designed the surrounding 14-acre grounds, including the remarkable walled garden, marking the conclusion of his illustrious career.
11. Weir Garden
Located five miles west of Hereford, the Weir Garden is a National Trust property along the Wye River. Spanning 10 acres, this garden faces south and features a combination of a natural riverside garden and a walled area dedicated to growing seasonal fruits, vegetables, and salads. This segment, initially adapted from farm buildings in the early 19th century, is home to a glasshouse from the 1920s, equipped with a specialized heating system for exotic flora.
This region, inhabited since Roman times, hosts a cistern from the town of Magnae Dobunnorum within the riverside garden. The design of this portion of Weir Garden, which gently slopes toward the water, promotes a thriving wildlife habitat, with more than 60 recorded bird species and a boathouse frequented by otters.
12. The Courtyard
The Courtyard on Edgar Street serves as Herefordshire’s primary center for the arts, operating principally as a venue for touring musicians, comedians, and dance troupes, while also offering a program of film screenings. In addition, the facility produces some in-house events, such as an annual pantomime and regular youth theatre productions.
The Courtyard houses a 436-seat main auditorium, a smaller studio theatre, exhibition space, rehearsal studios, and a café bar. During February and March, the venue plays a central role in the Borderlines Film Festival, which drew over 20,000 attendees in 2018 and is recognized as one of rural England’s premier film events.
13. Hereford Museum
The Hereford Museum, housed in an attractive neo-Gothic building on Broad Street, first opened its doors in 1874. Among its notable exhibits, a mosaic recovered from the Romano-British town of Magnae Dobunnorum, located five miles from Hereford, is especially captivating.
Within the museum, visitors can explore an extensive collection of textiles and costumes spanning several centuries, alongside an impressive array of swords. Additionally, the museum features some unique zoological exhibits, such as a two-headed calf and a giant mounted pike weighing almost 17 kilograms. The art gallery primarily showcases works by Brian Hatton, a Post-Impressionist painter from Herefordshire who tragically died early in his career during the First World War.
14. Brobury House Gardens
Located near the Welsh border, about ten miles up the Wye River, Brobury House, a Victorian mansion constructed in the 1880s, is adorned with wisteria and available for various events, including weddings. The terraced gardens along the riverbanks feature landscaping completed concurrently with the home’s construction, and have undergone a comprehensive restoration in the past two decades.
The terraces showcase boxwood hedges, topiaries, a lengthy pergola, as well as a water garden and bog garden, complemented by towering trees and a water meadow. The gardens welcome visitors throughout the week, including the winter months.
15. Rotherwas Chapel
Located on the southeastern edge of Hereford along the River Wye, Rotherwas Chapel is a historical structure associated with the Bodenham family and is currently managed by English Heritage. Initially a modest Medieval edifice, it has been expanded and enhanced over decades, showcasing a captivating Tudor timber roof, a Georgian tower, and intricate Victorian interior.
The Gothic Revival furnishings were created by the architectural firm Pugin & Pugin, renowned for their work at the Palace of Westminster. Visitors can schedule visits during weekdays by appointment, obtaining a key from the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre.
