Hereford

Hereford was founded as a border garrison and was heavily fortified against a possible Welsh invasion. The city's undoubted main attraction is its cathedral, or rather the relic that is contained within its cathedral, the Mappa Mundi.

The Mappa Mundi means "world map" and was created at the turn of the 14th century; it shows how scholars of the day viewed the world not just geographically, but also in spiritual and mythological terms. The cathedral also features the world’s largest Chained Library, where the ancient books can be take off the shelves and read at desks but not removed entirely.

Town life centres on High Town with its shops, market hall and grand Georgian buildings. The River Wye meanders through the city centre and is spanned by the 15th century Wye Bridge.

The surrounding countryside is given over to pasture lands where the renowned Hereford cattle graze or to apple orchards for this is cider country. Hereford Cider Museum has all you need to know about cider and how it is made.