HEREFORD
OS Map: Explorer 189
The historic city of Hereford was once the Saxon Capital of West Mercia. It's origins were as a crossing of the river Wye, now spanned by a 15th. century six-arched stone bridge just upstream from the catherdral. The city is sited on the fertile Herefordshire plain surrounded by orchards and pastures grazed by the famous white faced beef cattle bearing the city's name. The 12th. century cathedral, much altered over the centuries houses the renowned 14th. century 'Mappa Mundi' world map (not quite up to OS standards), and the world's largest chained library.
| Haugh Wood: [SO598364] About 7km southeast of Hereford |
| Haugh Wood covers geologically interesting high ground on the eastern side of the Wye valley and offers splendid views across the Herefordshire plain below. The wood is a Forestry Commission plantation standing on Cambrian sandstone at least 500 million years old. It is exposed here because the overlaying Silurian Limestones have been eroded from the top of the uplifted sandstone. An encirling ring of wooded hills are composed of the later limestone and include Marcle Hill to the east and Cherry Hill overlooking the Wye. This whole area provides enjoyable and varied walking in undulating wooded countryside with some fine views. A circular walk around Haugh Wood can bee commenced at the eastern edge, where the Woolhope road leaves the wood. |
| Wellington Wood: Start Wellington [SO495482] About 10km north of Hereford |
| Wellington Wood and the surrounding area is on high land just to the west of the River Lugg. It is a pleasant area offering enjoyable walking with the added attraction of the fallow deer which roam the wood. Walk through the wood to Westhope. Options from here include returning via Derndale Hill or heading west to Queen's Wood Country Park. |
| Tourist information: |
| TIC Hereford |