About Hereford

Hereford

Hereford is a cathedral city in England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately 26 km east of the border with Wales. The name ‘Hereford’ is said to come from the Anglo-Saxon ‘here’, an army or formation of soldiers, and the ‘ford’, a place for crossing a river. If this is the origin, it suggests that Hereford was a place where a body of armed men forded or crossed the River Wye.

The RNC campus is just a short 25-minute walk from the city centre. And if you are just starting to develop your independence, then Hereford is a perfect place to build up your confidence. Hereford has been home to RNC for more than 35 years so many local people, taxi drivers, shop assistants and leisure staff have had visual impairment awareness training and will know they can support you should you require assistance.

Historical Attractions

Hereford is steeped in history and boasts the 13th Century Mappa Mundi housed at Hereford’s historic Cathedral. It’s the largest medieval map of the world in existence, but is so much more than just a map, created around 1300, think of it as a social snapshot of 13th Century faith and history. The map is so special, it is listed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

The Black and White House is a remarkably well-preserved example of a 17th Century timber-framed building and is situated in the heart of Hereford, surrounded by the commercial centre of the city. It is a startling sight, standing as the sole reminder of times-gone-by in the middle of a modern shopping precinct.

Shopping

Hereford city centre has a mix of unique independent shops and big brand name stores.
The Old Market is Hereford’s new shopping and eating centre, just a 20-minute walk from campus, offering a range of brand name shops and cafés and restaurants.