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Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
Grade I listed cathedral begun in 1079, on a site of worship since the 8th century or earlier.
A mini guide to
Hereford city centre
Cathedral close, High Town, Castle Green and the Wye bridges
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
Cathedral close, High Town, Castle Green and the Wye bridges
Hereford Cathedral stands in its close just north of the River Wye, with the College of Vicars Choral on its south-east side and the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library inside. East of the close, Castle Green fills the bailey of the vanished castle, and the Victoria Bridge crosses the river from Mill Street. The Wye Bridge of 1490 crosses the river south-west of the cathedral.
North of the cathedral is High Town, the main square, where the Old House of 1621 is now a museum of Jacobean life. Widemarsh Street runs north to the Blackfriars ruins and Coningsby Hospital, and the Courtyard arts centre is on Edgar Street. The Museum of Cider lies west of the centre, and the Waterworks Museum by the river further west.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Exhibition
Mappa Mundi and Chained Library
The cathedral's medieval world map, made around 1300 on one sheet of vellum, and the largest surviving chained library.
Directions Website Report a problem with Mappa Mundi and Chained Library
Museum
The Old House
Black-and-white half-timbered house of 1621 in High Town, a museum of Jacobean life since 1929.
Museum
Museum of Cider
Museum of the history of cider-making, set up as a trust in the 1970s by Bertram Bulmer and others.
Museum
Waterworks Museum
More than 50 machines, including a working triple-expansion steam engine; the pumps run in steam on about ten Sundays a year.
Theatre and arts centre
The Courtyard
Theatre and arts centre built in 1997-98, with touring shows, a pantomime and youth theatre.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Hereford city centre and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Book the Mappa Mundi
The Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition is in the cathedral; check the trust's website for times and tickets.
2
Walk the river
Cross the Wye Bridge or the Victoria Bridge from Castle Green for views back to the cathedral.
3
Check museum closures
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery has been closed for redevelopment since 2023; the Old House in High Town is open.
4
Plan for steam days
The Waterworks Museum runs its pumps in steam on about ten Sundays a year; check its operating days.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for Hereford city centre
Photo credits
- Hereford city centre (area photo): 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
Keep exploring Hereford