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Hereford
The Mappa Mundi, a chained library and cider country on the River Wye
Hereford is the county town of Herefordshire, on the River Wye about 16 miles from the Welsh border. A bishop has been based here since the late 7th century, and the present cathedral was begun in 1079. It holds the Mappa Mundi, a world map made around 1300 on a single sheet of vellum, and a chained library with its chains, rods and locks still in place. The city had about 61,900 people in 2024.
The centre is small. The cathedral and its close are by the river, with the medieval Wye Bridge and Castle Green, the site of one of England's earliest castles, nearby. High Town, the main square, has the black-and-white Old House of 1621. Herefordshire is cider country, and the Museum of Cider tells the story on the west side of the centre, while the Waterworks Museum is by the river to the south-west.
- Train from LondonAbout 3 hoursDirect from London Paddington, according to Visit Herefordshire
- Train from BirminghamAbout 1½ hoursFrom Birmingham New Street, according to Visit Herefordshire
- Mappa MundiMade around 1300On one sheet of vellum, 1.59 by 1.34 metres, according to the Mappa Mundi Trust
- PopulationAbout 61,9002024 figure; the largest settlement in Herefordshire
Areas
Where to begin
The Hereford city centre guide has 13 sights, places to eat and drink, and where to stay.
Sights
Highlights across Hereford
A sight from each area. Every area guide lists the rest, with directions and official links.
Hereford Cathedral
Grade I listed cathedral begun in 1079, on a site of worship since the 8th century or earlier.
The Old House
Black-and-white half-timbered house of 1621 in High Town, a museum of Jacobean life since 1929.
Museum of Cider
Museum of the history of cider-making, set up as a trust in the 1970s by Bertram Bulmer and others.
Waterworks Museum
More than 50 machines, including a working triple-expansion steam engine; the pumps run in steam on about ten Sundays a year.
Castle Green
Green laid out from 1752 on the bailey of Hereford Castle, which was founded before 1052 and was one of the earliest castles in England.
Wye Bridge
Grade I listed stone bridge built in 1490 over the River Wye, scene of fighting in the 1645 siege.
Victoria Bridge
Iron suspension footbridge over the Wye, opened in 1898 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.
Blackfriars Priory
Ruins of a 13th-century Dominican priory with a stone preaching cross, set in a rose garden laid out in 1964.
Photos
1 / 3Getting there
Arriving in Hereford
Hereford station has direct trains from London Paddington and Birmingham New Street, and is on the Manchester-Cardiff line. Check operators for times and fares.
Train
Direct trains from London Paddington take about 3 hours and from Birmingham New Street about 1½ hours; the Manchester to Cardiff service also stops at Hereford. Figures from Visit Herefordshire.
Coach
National Express coaches serve Hereford, according to Visit Herefordshire.
Journey times are Visit Herefordshire's figures, checked on 3 November 2026. We do not publish timetables or fares.
On foot
The cathedral, High Town, Castle Green and the Wye Bridge are a few minutes apart; the station is north-east of the centre.
Best time to go
Hereford through the year
Hereford's cathedral and its Mappa Mundi exhibition open all year. Wikipedia lists Beer on the Wye, the Hereford Food Festival and the Three Choirs Festival, which Hereford hosts every third year.
Riverside walks along the Wye from Castle Green and the bridges, and the Waterworks Museum's steam days on about ten Sundays a year.
Apple and cider season in Herefordshire; a good time for the Museum of Cider.
FAQ
Good to know before you go
What is the Mappa Mundi?
A medieval world map made around 1300 on a single sheet of vellum, with Jerusalem at the centre and east at the top. It is displayed in Hereford Cathedral with the Chained Library.
Is Hereford Museum and Art Gallery open?
No: Herefordshire Council says it closed for redevelopment in 2023. The council's Old House in High Town is open.
How long is the train from London to Hereford?
About 3 hours direct from London Paddington, according to Visit Herefordshire.
Nearby places
Guides near Hereford
Our closest other guides, by straight-line distance between centres. Road and rail distances are longer: check a journey planner.
Photo credits
- Hereford (header): Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Hereford city centre: Ruth Harris, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hereford Cathedral: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Old House: Fabian Musto, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Museum of Cider: Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Waterworks Museum: Amanda Slater from Coventry, West Midlands, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Castle Green: Philip Pankhurst, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Wye Bridge: WelshDave, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Victoria Bridge: WelshDave, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Blackfriars Priory: Philip Pankhurst, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- College of Vicars Choral: Keith Edkins, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Coningsby Hospital: Philip Halling, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Hereford Town Hall: Dave Bevis, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Plan it properly
More guides for Hereford
- Where to stay in HerefordWhich area suits which traveller, with every stay we have checked.
- Getting around HerefordWith and without a car, from official transport pages.
- When to go to HerefordMonth-by-month weather, daylight and what to pack.
- Rainy-day ideas in HerefordIndoor things to do, by area.
- Events in HerefordFestivals, markets and seasonal events from the organisers.
- Attractions in HerefordSights and museums with entry and access flags where verified.
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