Things to do - Hereford City
There are many things to do in the Golden Valley and the surrounding area. Please choose from the options below for more details.

Hereford is 15 miles East of Dorstone and is a city of about 50,000 in the Herefordshire County. It received a town charter as early as 1189 from King Richard and was one of the earliest towns in the country to have city status. Dating back to about 700 A.D., Hereford was the Saxon capital of West Mercia.  Many famous people have spent time in this town throughout the centuries, including Nell Gwynne, the mistress of King Charles II and there is even a street in the town named after her - Gwynne Street.

Visit the famous Hereford Cathedral, which dates back to medieval times. Here you will see some of the most impressive examples of Norman architecture in such things as the Shrine of St. Thomas, the Early English Lady Chapel and the library housing many works from the earlier times. This is often the site of music recitals, concerts and exhibitions. You can browse through the souvenirs at the Cathedral Shop and visit the Stonemasons yard where you can see the artisans at work. Two of Britain's most important historical treasures are housed here - the Mappa Mundi, Chained Library.

Learn about the history of making cider when you visit the Hereford Cider Museum. You can see how apples are harvested and processed into juice and cider. There are many exhibits here related to this industry, such as the Truck Act and many books illustrating the process. Visit the original Champagne Cider cellars and sample the different types of cider.

Take some time to stroll around the town.  There are also numerous restaurants, cafés and eateries as well as local pubs where you can get to know the local people.

Hereford Cathedral - Hereford Cathedral is fortunate to have amongst its treasures two of international significance, the 13th century Mappa Mundi and the Chained Library.

The Mappa Mundi is the largest medieval map in existence, dating back to 1300.

The Chained Library - Books were housed at the Cathedral a long time before a library as we know libraries. The earliest book is the eighth-century Hereford Gospels. The chained Library at the Hereford Cathedral is the largest to survive with all its chains and locks intact.

Hereford Cider Museum - The Cider Museum, which opened to the public in 1981, is an independent Charitable Trust, and was created through the efforts of Mr. Bertram Bulmer, when he retired as chairman of H.P.Bulmer Ltd., the largest cidermaker in the world. The collection of machinery and other cidermaking equipment, advertising material, photographs and newspaper cuttings from 1760, has grown to some 26,000 items.  The Museum is designed to look at the whole cidermaking industry worldwide, from its earliest beginnings through to the mass production methods which exist today. Unique in the United Kingdom, the Cider Museum is the only registered museum devoted entirely to cider and perry-making.

How Caple Court Gardens - The How Caple Court Gardens cover 11 acres and date back to Edwardian Times. In addition to the magnificent blooms, you can get wonderful views of the Forest of Dean and the mountains of Wales. There is a medieval church at this site and you can enjoy a delightful cup of tea in the courtyard tearoom.