Hereford Cathedral's main role is as a centre of Christian mission and the seat of the Bishop. Each day, three acts of worship take place which ensure that the life of prayer which gives energy to Christian mission is carried on. The Bishop of Hereford's throne near the high altar gives the Cathedral church its name; the Latin word for throne is cathedra. The Bishop is chief pastor of a large diocese stretching from the Welsh borders in the west across to Worcester and Gloucestershire in the east, and from just south of Shrewsbury in the north to Monmouth in the south. A Cathedral dedicated to the martyred King Ethelbert has stood on this site since Saxon times and is home to a community which has worshipped and worked together here continuously for well over 1200 years.  It is a place where the mission of the church to proclaim Christ’s love is central and visitors and pilgrims are especially welcome.

 

Today’s building contains some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from Norman times up to the present day including the Romanesque Nave, the beautifully restored Shrine of St Thomas of Hereford in the North Transept, the ancient South Transept and the award-winning twentieth-century New Library Building.  New commissions also include the gilded and painted shrine of St Ethelbert and four stunning stained glass windows dedicated to the life and writings of 17th century cleric and poet Thomas Traherne.

 

The award-winning Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Exhibition is open all year round and is famous for housing both the spectacular medieval map of the world and the cathedral's unique Chained Library. Here the stories of these national treasures are told through models, original artefacts and special exhibitions. You can also visit our on-site Cathedral Shop, where exclusive Hereford Cathedral gifts are available, or our Cloister Café, which offers a variety of home-made and traditional foods.

 

 

Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Exhibition,

Cathedral Shop/Cloister Cafe

(29 March - 30 October 2010)

Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Also Sunday 4 April, 2 May, 30 May, 29 August and 24 October: 12noon - 4pm

(Last admission to Exhibition 30 mins before closing

Cloister Cafe last orders 15 mins before closing)

(1 November 2010 - Easter 2011)

Monday - Saturday: 10am - 4pm

 

The cathedral day normally begins at 7.30am with Morning Prayer (Matins) and is open for visits from 9.15am until Evensong (5.30pm or 3.30pm on Sundays). Visitors are welcome to any of the weeks services

 

5 College Cloisters,

Cathedral Close,

Hereford,

HR1 2NG