The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens are a place of tranquillity in Hereford City Centre. The large private garden backs onto the River Wye and is not overlooked by any neighbours other than the magnificent Hereford Cathedral. The garden has many interesting plants, trees and flowers, and visitors are invited to explore this private space during the Open Garden Season each summer. You can follow the garden through the seasons on the Bishop’s Palace gardens instragram.
The Great Hall and Palace (House) are occupied by the Diocese of Hereford and is home to the Bishop of Hereford. The buildings are of significant historical interest and brimming with the stories of previous occupants.
Medieval Celebrity
Bishop Thomas Cantilupe brought about a spiritual renewal of piety in the Cathedral and Palace (Later canonised as St Thomas…
Ginko Tree
Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or the maidenhair tree, is a species of gymnosperm tree native to East Asia.…
Royal Intrigue
1200-1215 Giles de Braose. Conflict between Bishop and King John. 1208-1214 – the Pope excommunicates the whole country due to…
The Great Hall
This hall runs east west. Out of the west door you can see the Tudor stable block which was built…
History Pre-Norman Conquest
Before the Norman Conquest Before 612 Welsh Saint Dubricious founds a monastery south of the river Wye 676 Putta arrives…
Cedar Trees
Cedrus libani – Cedar of Lebanon (nearest to Palace) native to Lebanon, western Syria and south central Turkey, used by…
Mulberry Tree
Morus nigra – Mulberry. China, on top lawn by horse chestnut. Said to have been introduced by James I to…
Back of the Chapter House
Behind this wall is the Chapter house garden. (To visit it you just have to return through the garden gate…
Medieval Bishops
During the medieval period, the bishops of Hereford may have owned as many as 24 manors by which they funded…
A New Chapel
A new cathedral, built on a new site, north of the original Saxon cathedral, was planned after the Welsh came…
Princess Margaret’s Tree
Acer platanoides – Norway maple, a vigorous deciduous tree, leaves 5-lobed, turning bright yellow, orange or brown in autumn. Scented…
Resizing the Palace Garden
In 1470 the garden was reduced to make the cloisters. Bishop John Stanberry gave half the Palace Garden to the…
Early Residents of the Palace
Bishop Robert de Bethune 1131-1148 The Palace may have been adapted to allow 40 Monks from Llanthony (in Wales) to…
Murder at the Cathedral
1240-1268 Bishop Peter of Aigueblanche, (One report was of his “Fox like cunning and sulphurous stench”) Bishop Peter was unpopular…
Deanery Gate
Through this gate is the Dean’s garden. The dean is the boss of the cathedral. The Bishop, although technically the…
Tudor Courtyard
The Tudor courtyard was created during the time of Bishop Charles Booth. The new kitchen and Tudor gateway were constructed…
Queen’s Tree
Liriodendron tulipifera – Tulip Tree, near St. John’s door, North America. RHS AGM. A tulip tree is known to have…