Our Guide to Hereford (30 mins drive)
A beautiful old market cathedral city with plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops, including most high street names and a Tesco, Asda and Waitrose. Best to avoid Sundays when many places are closed.
Hereford Cathedral and Close (HR1 2NG) is worth getting away from the busy shopping streets for. There you can visit the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library exhibition to see the largest medieval map of the world in existence (www.herefordcathedral.org).
From the Cathedral find Church Street (HR1 2LR) for good coffee and lunches at Rocket Cafe (www.rocketkitchen.co.uk), supplies at Fodder Health Food Shop and local cheese at The Mousetrap Cheese Shop (www.mousetrapcheese.co.uk).
The bustling High Street and Commercial Street has many familiar shops and some independents. Also the The Black and White House Museum, a well preserved 17th Century timber-framed building. Tucked away down Union Street you’ll find our favourite café, Sensory & Rye which serves great coffee, brunch, lunches and Friday suppers (north end of Union Street / HR1 2BS / www.sensoryandrye.co.uk).
A little further away is the Old Market Shopping Centre with Waitrose (HR4 9HX), high street shops and restaurants, such as Wagamama’s, plus a large Odeon Cinema. Beyond here you’ll find the Courtyard Arts Theatre (HR4 9JR / www.courtyard.org.uk) which has a café, shows films and has lots of theatre performances and workshops – many family friendly.
North West of the Cathedral you’ll also find the Hereford Beer Shop (West St / HR4 0BX / www.herefordbeerhouse.co.uk) to pick up an unusual brew, and popular Burger Shop and Book Shop Restaurant both run by www.aruleoftum.com (Aubrey St / HR4 0BU). The Left Bank Village is South West of the cathedral and is a venue by the river with bar and De Koffie Pot Café (www.herefordleftbank.com/ off Bridge Street / HR4 9DG).
For all things cider related visit the Cider Museum(HR4 0EF / www.cidermuseum.co.uk) set in a former cider making factory. For other things to do see www.visitherefordshire.co.uk
Parking try Wye Street (HR2 7RB / easy access to Cathedral side of town and avoids some of the traffic), Waitrose, Courtyard Theatre or see all council car parks at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/parking