Cathedral
It was Henry VIII who established the practice of granting city status to cathedral towns in the 1540s. However, some 300 years earlier, Henry I conferred this honour upon Hereford. As far back as Saxon times, the cathedral's site was a place of worship. The impressive Gothic edifice you can see today is believed to have been around since the early to mid-12th century, following the Norman conquest. Of the many treasures within, the Mappa Mundi is surely the most prized – a single sheet of calf skin upon which is drawn a map that interprets the world through medieval eyes.
The Old House
The distinctive black and white half-timbered 17th-century building in the centre of Hereford is one of the city's most eye-catching sights. Close to 400 years old, the house has been a butcher's home and shop, an ironmonger's and a branch of Lloyd's Bank. The Old House has been a museum since 1929 and once inside you'll discover what life in Jacobean times was like. The rooms retain their period fixtures and fittings, including a four-poster bed and some important English oak furniture, not to mention rare paintings.
The cider house
At Hereford Cider Museum you'll find out how apples used to be milled and pressed to create the alcoholic beverage that is now exported all over the world. Visit the original cellars and see the cooper's equipment and workshop, and the vat house. A fun, interactive experience, the museum shows you how different varieties of apples create distinctive ciders. And providing you have your ID with you, there's plenty of cider to buy!
A neo-classical house
Set within expansive grounds designed by Capability Brown, Berrington Hall is an impressive late-18th-century mansion whose corridors and rooms remain exquisitely furnished. The house is open for tours, and kids will love to follow the fun Gruesome Georgian Trail which runs through the home. The grounds contain a network of paths, and you can enjoy a walk around a lake before heading off into parkland.
Eating and drinking in Hereford
A delicious espresso or a loose-leaf tea is available at Diego's. This popular café serves breakfast and is an ideal place to start your day. Enter The Den, a relaxed and friendly restaurant where you can dine on duck breast and dauphinoise potatoes, or chips with blue cheese sauce. For something a bit spicier, there's Sweet Chilli. This Indian Restaurant's cheerful and helpful staff will serve you a tasty curry and will happily provide a choice of vegetarian meals.
Shopping in and around Hereford
The Old Market Shopping Centre has a supermarket, department store and a handful of brand names. And the Maylord Shopping Centre has an agreeable mix of shops offering fashion, accessories, essentials and more.
