In this guide, we’ll be sharing with you what you can do in just 48 hours or less for a city break or a quick but unforgettable getaway. We’re kicking it off with the stunning medieval City of Hereford.
The city of Hereford, sitting right at the heart of the county on a loop of the river wye, world famous for its incredible golden stone cathedral, featuring the medieval Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library, is also famous for its breed of beef cattle, the Hereford, and many people flock to Hereford to sample the local orchards that are filled with cider apple trees to give a taste into the city’s rich cider-making heritage.
Your visit might be different to ours, but we’ve compiled some fantastic experiences that we think make a visit to Hereford worth going there for. All the addresses and where you’ll find these locations will be put down in the categories, but here’s how we spent our 48 hours.
1 . Victoria Bridge
Location: Mill St, Hereford HR1 2NX
Cost: Free!
Start your visit to Hereford by wandering across the beautiful Victoria Bridge, built in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee, this wrought iron suspension bridge links the north bank of the river wye near castle green with bishops meadow on the south bank. Look out for the royal coat of arms decorating each of the towers on the bridge whilst you gaze upon the cathedral and the city in the distance. It is a beautiful example of Victorian engineering and design.
2. Castle Green
Location: 1 Quay St, Hereford HR1 2NH
Cost: Free!
From Victoria Bridge, you will meander to Castle Green, a public park just above the river wye on the former grounds of Hereford Castle, this part of the city dates back to at least the 6th century.
A walk here is lovely, you’ll notice lots of locals walking their dogs and enjoying the grounds, in the centre of Castle green stands a prominent column, which was built to honour Admiral Nelson, the victor of the battle of Trafalgar.
It’s an area in the summertime normally filled with families and friends relaxing and enjoying a picnic, but we think it’s a beautiful, green and calm space great for a walk before the city.
3. Hereford Cathedral
Location: Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR4 9BJ
Website: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/
Cost: Free! // Donations Accepted
The next stop requires no real introduction it’s one of the first landmarks you’ll see when you get to the city, Hereford Cathedral. The golden stone cathedral with its medieval Mappa Mundi and Chained Library, is a huge draw, but forget those two reasons to visit here and take a stroll outside to appreciate it’s quite striking architectural features that include the Romanesque and gothic styles.
We’ve visited quite a few cathedrals on the channel, but this one really took our breaths away. 1200 years of history just unfolds in front of you, there is something of interest to look for at each step which can of course be quite overwhelming, but it’s worth experiencing. There are plenty of informative boards and leaflets to read whilst you have a walk that will take you interesting journey through centuries of its heritage and architecture.
It’s worth noting that a visit to the Cathedral is completely free!
4. Mappa Mundi
Location: Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR4 9BJ
Website: https://www.themappamundi.co.uk/
Cost: Adults – £7.50 – £8.50 with Gift Aid // Students – £6 // Children – £2 // Under 8 Years – Free
The Mappa Mundi is one of the world’s unique and curious medieval treasures, made around 800 years ago in the year 1300 that reveals how history and geography were understood in Christian Europe in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. The world map is inscribed with more than 1,000 cities, towns, plants, animals and birds, this 700-year-old map lets you discover how medieval scholars interpreted the world – and luckily for us, it now resides in Hereford’s millennia-old cathedral.
In addition to illustrating people and places, the map also shows supernatural scenes from classical Greek and Roman mythology, Biblical tales and a collection of popular legends and stories. The map was intended to be seen by pilgrims visiting and who were buried at the cathedral and since many 13th and 14th century pilgrims would not have been able to read, the map could be simply enjoyed as an almost aesthetic piece of art by those who knew very little of classical mythology but it would have also been a visual encyclopaedia for those who were more educated. I’ll be honest, maybe on camera it won’t do the justice, but in person, seeing the map in all its glory is something pretty special.
5. The Chained Library
Location: Hereford Cathedral, Hereford HR4 9BJ
Website: https://www.herefordcathedral.org/chained-library
Cost: Included in Mappa Mundi Ticket, Above
Moments away from the medieval Map, You’ll also find the biggest chained library on the planet, dating from a time when books were so precious that they had to be locked up! Over 229 ancient manuscripts and texts are still kept under lock and key and in their original chains. It’s something we’ve never seen before and so very impressive.
But we have to remember that once upon a time those books were very rare and were valuable assets in the medieval world. Most of the volumes in the collection date to acquisitions made in the 1100s, although the oldest book in the collection, the “Hereford Gospels,” dates to about the year 800AD.
The cathedral also boasts a copy of the Magna Carta, which is often considered the foundation of English law and the first document limiting the king of England’s powers and of course protecting civil rights, only four of the original charters survive and one is kept on display in the library here at Hereford cathedral. On a visit to the city, this has to be in there.
6. Waterworks Museum
Location: Broomy Hill, Hereford HR4 0LJ
Website: http://www.waterworksmuseum.org.uk/
Cost: Adults – £6.50 Tuesday – £9.00 Sunday // Students – £3 Tuesday – £4 Sunday // Children – Free
Before winding down for the evening, after a fantastic first day around Hereford, a visit to the Waterworks Museum is up there with an interesting attraction and stop off, the museum tells the story of drinking water by experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of the bygone era of steam as well as heaps of hands-on exhibits, this is perfect for the kids which mixes fun and learning in one go.
The best kind of heritage engineering, completely run by friendly volunteers. The only thing to remember if you are planning a visit here is that the site is only open on Tuesdays and on selected Sundays throughout the summer, unfortunately it was closed on our visit!
7. Belmont Abbey
Location: Ruckhall Ln, Hereford HR2 9RZ
Website: http://www.belmontabbey.org.uk/
Cost: Free! // Donations Accepted
The second day could begin with a short drive or bus ride to the Benedictine monastery of Belmont Abbey; it stands on a hill that overlooks Hereford.
When we visited, it was so peaceful and not to mention beautiful. The abbey dates back to 1854 when Thomas Joseph Brown, a Benedictine monk, was appointed its first bishop. The abbey is very much intact and is home to a community of 30 working monks.
Of course the interiors are lovely and picturesque, but what’s striking here is the light that shines through the various stained glass panels, that give of some fantastic photo opportunities.
8. Hightown
Location: High Town, 25-26 High St, Hereford HR1 2DJ
Website: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/things/markets-high-town-hereford
Back in the centre of Hereford city, a walk around the High town is perfect for a number of stops all in a short cluster of one another. We happened to be in the High Town, which is noticeably the more popular precinct and bustling with activity.
It’s here that you’ll find the ever changing range of markets that are held regularly in the high town, the weekly retail market is hosted here on a Wednesday and Saturday and the produce and craft market is every third Thursday and first Saturday of each month.
It’s always fun to walk around a market, with seasonal produce, yummy delicacies and something to suit everyone’s lifestyle and budget.
9. The Hereford Bull
Location: The Kerry, Commercial St, Hereford HR1 2DJ
Website: https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/hereford/properties/hereford-bull-statue.htm
Whilst you’re walking you’ll spot the famous Hereford Bull Statue, a gift to the city and a precise replica of a Hereford bull with every feature measured to an exact standard. The city’s links to the breed are also recognised in the sporting area; the city’s football club, Hereford United, is nicknamed The Bulls
10. Black and White House Museum
Location: High Town, Hereford HR1 2AA
Website: https://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/history-lives/hereford-museums-art-gallery
Cost: Adults – £3.50 // Students – Free! // Children – Free! // Offer: 2 adults and a guide book £10
The bull stands directly in front of the iconic timber framed Black and White House Museum, a very interesting and well preserved 17th century half-timbered Jacobean structure. Sometimes referred to as the old house and as a section of Butchers’ Row, it was constructed around 1621.
Old House is the lone house from the original row that still stands as other structures on the row began to be torn down in 1816. Throughout its history, the home has been occupied by bankers, butchers, and ironmongers and 1882 saw the Old House undergo restoration. Since 1929 it has been a charming museum giving an insight into daily life in Jacobean times.
It is furnished in period style with an internationally important collection of English oak furniture and there are interesting pieces in every room. We think the admission charges are super reasonable at £3.50 for an adult and children can go free, they offer tours and guide books and have the friendliest volunteers that look after the property.
11. Butter Market
Location: Market Hall, High Town, Hereford HR1 2AA
Website: https://thebuttermarkethereford.co.uk/
New Marches: https://www.facebook.com/thenewmarches
Cost: Free!
Sticking in the high town a trip to the butter market has to be on your list. Stood as a central landmark in the city for years and now a thriving indoor market with over 35 individual, unique stalls, one of our particular favourites is the first stall as you walk through under the clock tower named The new Marches, their quiches, salads and sausage rolls are worthy of a mention.
Other items that you’ll find in the butter market are selection of meats, cheeses and free range products aswell as local honey and eggs, its not all about the food in here, they have a great comic book stall and a florist too.
Not only does Hereford centre have the high town and the butter market but it also has a modern shopping centre called old market which opened in 2014, its situated on the site of the former livestock farming market, now its home to plenty of independent retailers and well known chained restaurants and shops. The centre is fairly compact, making it easy to explore.
12. The Coningsby Hospital Museum and St John’s Chapel
Location: Coningsby Hospital Cottages, 110 Widemarsh St, Hereford HR4 9HN
Website: http://www.coningsbyhospital.com/
Cost: Free! // Donations Accepted
Our next location is one that people have sadly walked past and not known it was even there, this is the St John medieval museum and Coningsby Hospital. Located in Wide Marsh Street, just a few minutes away from the city centre. I have to admit, this had to have been one of the best parts of visiting Hereford for me. It was unbelievably unexpected but the museum is absolutely fantastic.
The volunteers who run the museum are very knowledgeable and interesting and give you a great insight into the knights Templar and hospitallers.
It’s a free visit, but they run on donations to keep this museum going, you’ll be able to see the incredible array of armour and weapons, a skeleton found when the museum floor was re-laid and inside the very beautiful chapel.
13. Blackfriars Priory
Location: Coningsby Hospital Cottages, 110 Widemarsh St, Hereford HR4 9HN
Website: http://www.blackfriarshereford.org.uk/
Cost: Free!
Not only that, but pop next door, behind the museum and you’ll be able to wonder about the hidden Blackfriars monastery set within a beautiful rose garden.
14. Capuchin Lane
Location: 8 High St, Hereford HR1 2AE
Cost: Free!
One great part of Hereford is the very pretty street that connects the high town to the cathedral. Called Capuchin Lane, this narrow cobbled pathway links old to more modern with its lines of restaurants, cafes, jewellery shops, local gallery’s and specialty foods shops, it’s well worth a walk through here.
15. Museum of Cider
Location: Cider Museum, Pomona Pl, Hereford HR4 0EF
Website: http://www.cidermuseum.co.uk/
Cost: Adults – £7.50 // Students – £3 // Children – Free!
And finally, it’s a well-known fact that Herefordshire is a region in England known for its cider production. Herefordshire’s hops production is second in England only to that of the county of Kent. So it would be rude to come all that way to Hereford and not sample or explore the story of traditional cider making. Here at the Museum of Cider you can do just that.
It’s a great planned out route that takes you through the process from apple to bottle and is a self-guided experience with plenty to learn, explore and see. You’ll get an opportunity to walk through the original champagne cider cellars and seeing inside the VAT house as well as the many displays of vintage memorabilia.
It’s a treasure trove of cider-related information and artefacts they have on display. At the end of the tour you’ll get to sample 3 of the ciders, but of course it’s worth buying some full sized bottles to enjoy.
So that’s our 48 hours in Hereford City, we’d love to know what you thought of it and if you would add anything else for others to do and enjoy within the city in the comments below.
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Till Next Time!
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