The Old House
The Old House is a remarkably well preserved example of a 17th Century timber-framed building and is situated in the heart of Hereford, surrounded by the commercial centre of the city. It is a startling sight, standing as the sole reminder of times-gone-by in the middle of a modern shopping precinct.
Built in 1621, the house has been used for many purposes over the years, starting life as a butcher's home and shop and finishing its commercial life in the hands of Lloyds Bank in the late 1920s. Since 1929 it has been a fascinating museum giving an insight into daily life in Jacobean times. It is furnished in period style with an internationally important collection of English Oak furniture and there are interesting pieces in every room. Of particular interest to many visitors are the rare wall-paintings, the four-poster bed and the baby-walkers.
There are hands-on activities for children including replica clothing and puzzles.
For those unable to climb the stairs, a virtual tour is situated on the fully-accessible ground floor. There are also Braille and audio guides, and tactile images for the blind and visually impaired.
Opening Times All year: Tuesday to Saturday 10am–5pm.
Plus April-Sept: Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays 10am-4pm.
Closed on Mondays, Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day.
ADMISSION IS FREE!
The Old House
High Town
Hereford
HR1 2AA
Tel: (01432) 260694
E-mail: herefordmuseums@herefordshire.gov.uk
In order to make the upper floors of the Old House accessible to those unable to climb the stairs, we have installed a virtual tour on the ground floor.
The tour is accessed through a computer. Each room in the house is illustrated with a 360 degree image, which the viewer can navigate around using the computer mouse.
There are also close-up images of some of the interesting objects from each of the rooms in the house. All pictures are accompanied by a description of the objects being viewed, and the 360 degree images are accompanied by information about the history of the house and the uses of the rooms being shown.
The pictures are "peopled" by members of the historical interpretation group, The Guild of Gentry and Allied Skills.
If you haven't tried the tour, why not drop in next time you're in the city centre and have a quick look?
