About Hereford City

Welcome to Hereford, the county town of Herefordshire that lies on the River Wye; a city recognized since time immemorial.

Its Welsh name, Henffordd meaning “old road” has roots going back to Roman times. The Anglo Saxon derivation “here” and “ford” denotes the place where an army of soldiers were able to ford this unspoilt, meandering river that holds a most rich history as the cornerstone of the Picturesque movement.

As early as 1745, it was Dr. John Egerton’s “Wye Tour” that started a trend of boat trips down the Valley coming from the rectory at Ross-on-Wye. It was the Reverend William Gilpin who later made these tours popular by publishing his “Observations on the River Wye” in 1782. Feasibly Britain’s first guide book, Gilpin contributed to Hereford’s reputation as the birthplace of British Tourism.

As the pioneer of this “Picturesque” beauty, Gilpin’s writings influenced the renowned English landscape paintings that grew in such popularity and also inspired the Romantic poets, most notably, William Wordsworth who, in his famous poem “Lines Written a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” affectionately noted, “How oft, in spirit, I have turned to thee, O sylvan Wye! Thou wanderer thro’ the woods, How oft has my spirit turned to thee!”
Today, visitors to the Wye Valley can recreate the aura of the Grand Tour easily picturing eighteenth century travelers along the way. Remember to bring your sketchbook along!

Hereford is notably a cathedral city, home to the Hereford Cathedral dating from 1079. Behold! The Mappa Mundi, the early world map from the 13th century, and the famous 17th century Chained Library. The largest of its kind, this library with its form of early security of the middle ages, is as unique as it is compelling as an historical treasure in Britain’s rich heritage.

Hereford Castle rivaled Windsor in size and scale to beat back the Welsh attacks and as a stronghold for English Kings. Hereford has seen battles due to hostilities between the Anglo Saxons and the Welsh, followed by clashes between the Scottish and Parliamentarians for control. Today, High Town marks the spot with a plaque where Owen Tudor, the defeated Lancastrian Leader, was beheaded in 1461 during the War of the Roses. Grandfather to the future King Henry VII of England, Tudor was convinced right to the last minute that his royal affiliation would bring his reprieve but it was not to be.

Praemium Invictae Fidelitatis

This Latin motto for Hereford translates as “the reward for faithfulness unconquered” and is testament to the city for prevailing in the Civil War against the 14,000 strong Scottish forces in 1645. Horribly outnumbered, as few as 200 Royalist troops garrisoned in the city were soon joined by the citizenry to hold off the mercenary siege for over a month’s time. Between their inability to breach the stronghold and a rumour that relief forces were en route, Scottish forces retreated leaving the Royal Standard flying high in triumph.

Upon learning of this successful effort, a grateful King Charles I bestowed upon the city its motto and made the Grant of Arms depicting their successful defense against the Scottish siege. While it was most common to display a helmet in the coat of arms, it is most rare for anyone to receive the Sovereign’s Coat of Arms within their own. The depiction of this barred visor in gold on the front of the helmet set above the shield in Hereford’s crest is only displayed in one other: that of the city of London.