Medieval Hereford Festival 2026

Cathedral Close & High Town

Sat 15th & Sun 16th Aug 2026

The first Medieval Hereford Festival event will feature thrilling battle re-enactments, where armoured warriors clash in dramatic displays of medieval combat, alongside a fully interactive “living village” showcasing traditional crafts, trades and daily life from centuries past. Visitors will also be able to step back in time with period entertainment, costumed performers, and historical demonstrations, including the chance to see – and perhaps experience – the medieval stocks.

Join us for the opening precession starting at Old Market at 10am SAT 15th Aug.

Download the festival leaflet timings and map of activities, so you can start planning your visit:

Download

Lots of Free Activities:

• Archery display and have-a-go archery
• Try on armour (children) in High Town
• Stocks in High Town
• Re-enactment Village
• Opening Parade through Hereford (Old Market to Hereford Cathedral - Sat 15th Aug 10am
• Museum on the Move
• Arena medieval displays
• Meet medieval characters
• Medieval photo opportunity
• Storytime
• Stalls (Chargeable)
• Blacksmithing display
• Horse displays

.........and lots more

Paid Activities:

• Family activities in the cathedral plus tours
• Mappa Mundi & Chained Library (Chargeable)
• Medieval Feast (14th Aug) see seperate whats on page. (Chargeable) Learn more
• Bar, food stalls & hog roast - See event leaflet for locations
• Ghost Walk Tours (16+) Learn More
• Hereford's Horrid History Walks (under 16's + parents) Learn More
• Guild of Mayors Guides History Walks Learn More
• Museum of Cider Learn More
• Old House Museum Learn More

Medieval Trail - 1st - 30th Aug

The family medieval trail to win a £50 Hereford Gift Card  (1st August and run until 30th August 2026).

Explore Hereford City Centre as you such for medieval clues on the posters in 12 locations. Find the historic date on the poster and write it on you trail map next to the correct location.

Maps are available to download from this page from the 1st Aug and paper versions can be collected from Hereford Tourist Information Centre, plus lots of other locations across the city. Check locations below.

 Download a trail map

Trail Maps can be collected from:

• Vodafone - Old Market
• Coffee Cart - Old Market
• Dogs Trust - Widemarsh St
• Cardzone - Eign Gate
• Hereford Framing Centre - Broad St
• Marchants Cafe - Broad St
• Green Dragon Hotel - Broad St
• HQ Coffee - Broad St
• Pritchards - King St
• Ground House Coffee - King St
• The Orange Tree - King St
• Toast & Tonic (ex-JJ's Diner) - Bridge St
• Jin's - Bridge St
• Nerdvana - Church St
• Enchant - Church St
• Principality - High Town
• The Old House - High Town
• Hereford Model Centre - Commercial Rd
• Hillman's Florist - Buttermarket
• Sneaky Squid - Buttermarket
• Coffee Cart - High Town
• Hereford Music Shop - Commercial Rd
• Children's Bookshelf - Commercial St
• Make It Happen - Maylords
• Hereford Tourist Information Centre - Town Hall
• Hereford Library - Town Hall

Medieval Meal Deal Boxes

Step back in time and enjoy a Medieval Meal Deal Box during the Medieval Hereford Festival!

Available on Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August, these specially created festival meal boxes are perfect to enjoy while exploring the city, watching the medieval displays or taking a break between events.

Every Meal Deal Box includes a FREE medieval-themed gift!

Choose to:

• Eat in at participating venues
• Take away and enjoy your feast around the festival

Each venue will be serving its own delicious Medieval Meal Deal Box, so check at each location for pricing and ingredients.

Don't miss out – stocks are limited throughout the festival!

 

Available at participating venues across Hereford city centre

• Ground House Coffee - King Street
• King St Kitchen - King Street
• Toast & Tonic (Used to be JJ's Diner) - Bridge Street
• De Koffie Pot - Left Bank Village
• Marchants - Broad Street
• Lingwood - Chirch Street
• New Marches Café - Off Bewell Street

Check back as more will be added

 

Event Overview

Medieval Hereford Festival 2026 is taking place from Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th August 2026. It also coincides with the 1,350th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of Hereford.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Hereford Cathedral and its historic Cathedral Close, which will be transformed to take visitors back in time. The festival will bring the sights, sounds and stories of the medieval period vividly to life, offering residents and visitors an immersive journey into the city’s rich heritage.

There will be plenty of opportunities to learn more about Hereford through the ages and its wonderful historic Cathedral as the centre piece. More details will be provided nearer the event.

A spectacular opening procession will kick off the festival, winding its way through the city streets and culminating at the Cathedral Close. Featuring re-enactors, musicians and colourful medieval characters, the procession will set the tone for a weekend of pageantry, history and family-friendly fun.

The Medieval Hereford Festival will celebrate the city’s past while creating a vibrant, large-scale cultural event for residents and visitors alike. By combining authentic historical re-enactment with the iconic setting of Hereford Cathedral, the festival aims to become a flagship attraction and a highlight in the region’s events calendar.

Other Activities in Hereford

• Guilded Walks (book early) - Learn more
• Ghost Walks (book early) - Learn More
• Children's Hereford Horrid History Walks (book early) - Learn More
• Museum of Cider Free Talk on 11:30am & 2:30pm Sun 16th Aug (Monks, Murder & Apples). Museum tour, family fun, tasting & sampling, Cafe & fully stocked Cider, Perry & gift shop.- Learn More
• Medieval Feast - Book Now  If you have any dietary, allergy, or accessibility requirements, please contact the Booking Team in advance on email or by phone: events@herefordcathedral.org or 01432 374 202
• Hereford Cathedral Events - Learn More
• Kids Medieval Meal Deals - Locations coming soon
• Axe Throwing at Matrix - Learn More

 

Places to Stay

• Green Dragon Hotel, Broad Street - Check availability
• Castle House Hotel, Castle Street - Check availability
• Premier Inn - Check availability
• Travelodge - Check availability
• Visit Herefordshire - Check availability
• Eat Sleep Live Herefordshire - Check availability
• Hereford Rowing Club - Check availability

 

Images used: ‘Courtesy of the Plantagenets’