Hereford - Cathedral & City

Essential Intel

Long stay parking is available at Merton Meadow (HR4 9HE), but you do have to walk about 10 mins to get to the start point of the Trail. There are more expensive car parks closer to the start.

Market Days are generally Wednesday and Saturday, and on these days some of the clues might be trickier to find.

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Hereford Cathedral and the city, with Detectives helping Police Chief Bea Havers solve the case of master chef James 'Beefie' Cooke, who was found frozen in his walk-in freezer just before opening his new Hereford restaurant.

The investigation covers approximately 1.5 miles and should take around 1.75 hours to complete. You'll start and finish facing the main entrance to the cathedral, investigate the cathedral area, follow the river and head into the historic city centre as you gather evidence around Hereford.

This Trail is wheelchair accessible and pushchair accessible. There are no steps to negotiate, though there is a small detour for wheelchair and pushchairs just after the second riverside clue and before you reach the bridge.

Take care crossing East Street and again on Gaol Street, and keep your Detective squad alert for AMEA activists and drones as the case unfolds.

Getting There

By car: Begin the investigation facing the main entrance to the cathedral (HR1 2NG). For those arriving by squad car and planning to stay all day, Merton Meadow pay and display (HR4 9HE) is the Chief's suggested long-stay parking option, with about 10 mins to walk to the start point of the Trail. If you just want to dash in and out, use Gaol Street pay and display (HR1 2HU). There are more expensive car parks closer to the start.

By public transport: Make your way to Hereford Cathedral, then head to the main entrance to begin the case. The route is circular and starts and finishes at the cathedral.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are on Broad Street near the cathedral, in the library and also behind the Queen's Arms on East Street, giving Detectives a few useful comfort-stop options during the investigation.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the case. 🐾

The route takes in the cathedral area, city streets and the riverside, so keep canine colleagues close around East Street, Gaol Street and the water. With no steps to negotiate, this is a straightforward city-and-river patrol for paws as well as people.

Food & Drink Stops

Solving a freezer-based restaurant mystery can work up an appetite. There are cafes and shops along the way for snacks, supplies and well-earned refreshments.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, Castle Green after Clue 16 or the riverside before Clue 19 make good picnic spots while the evidence cools.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Hereford Cathedral

The case starts and finishes at Hereford Cathedral, so it's the natural place to linger before or after the investigation. The Cathedral Timeline notes that it was first founded in 696, rebuilt several times, and that the world map 'Mappa Mundi' was created in 1300 and has been here ever since.

The Old House

The Old House is a well preserved example of a 17th century timber-framed building. It started life as a butcher's home and shop, finished its commercial life as Lloyds Bank in the late 1920s and has been a museum since 1929 - ideal for Detectives who like their evidence served with a side of city history.

High Town

High Town is Hereford's pedestrianised shopping centre, making it a handy place to slow down once the case is under control. Keep an eye out for the 17th century building above New Look, which was moved in 1965 to allow a new shop frontage to be built, taking 14 hours and ending up surrounded by 60s architecture.

Market Hall / Butter Market

The route leads you to the Market Hall, also known as the Butter Market, one of the city-centre points of interest on the route. It is another good place to soak up the centre of Hereford when you're not busy interrogating every suspicious detail.

Castle Green

Castle Green offers a greener pause after Clue 16, and a castle once stood here from before the time of the Norman Conquest. Today it holds Nelson's Column, and Lord Nelson was a Freeman of the city and a regular visitor.