The Hereford Cathedral (Cathedral of St. Mary the Virgin and St. Ethelbert the King)

Built in loving memory to King Ethelbert who died as a martyr, the edifice contains brilliant architectural designs dating back from the Norman era up to the present time that consists of the Romanesque Nave, the olden South Transcept, the superbly renovated Shrine of St. Thomas of Hereford in the North Transept, and the esteemed 20th century New Library Building. Additional works consist of the embellished and painted St. Ethelbert shrine plus four eye-catching glass windows devoted to the 17th century poet and cleric, Thomas Traherne’s life and writings.

The impressive medieval map of the world can be found in the respected Mappa Mundi and Chained Library Exhibition. National treasure stories are retold using creative artifacts, models and special presentations. The cathedral’s Library and Archive contains the growth of Christian traditions and teachings and holds adult education courses, school visits, lectures, and Sunday School are conducted apart from the exhibitions that they do.

There is also a shop situated in the 15th century Bishop’s Cloister where you can find a wide selection of visitors’ guidebooks, gifts, postcards, seasonal goods and other mementos. Also sold are recordings of the cathedral’s choir and its momentous Willis Organ in CDs that include their current recordings, the Great European Organs Vol. 80 and Howells from Hereford.

Home-made and traditional foods are offered in the Cloister Caf