Delve into a thriving independent food and music scene, breathtaking countryside, urban arts events, and an abundance of festivals and activities - right on our doorstep. Herefordshire will quickly become your home from home. Plus as a small city, it’s a very affordable place to be. 

Think picture-perfect locations, from riverside wanders, to cascading hill hikes and rolling countryside, all reachable using local transport. And if city life is more your scene, you can move from café to bar to business, all located within walking distance of our campuses and student digs. 

Alive with outdoor adventure

From canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding to peaceful boat rides and riverside strolls, you won’t be climbing the walls, unless you want to at one of our local climbing centres! Heard of Symonds Yat? It’s one of Herefordshire’s most iconic and beautiful locations – another must-visit while you’re here.  

Female in orange kayak on river

Offering sports for all

From rowing to rugby, archery to angling, climbing to cricket; white-water rafting to skating, Herefordshire is a great place to get sporty. In fact, the region has bred world-leading talent, including Rugby Union and Premier League football players. 

Female climbing a small rock face

Home to majestic mountains

The Brecon Beacons National Park and Malvern Hills are close by (one hour’s drive). So if hiking, caving, mountain biking and wildlife piques your interest then you are coming to the right place. Think castles, waterfalls, mountains and moorland, you'll have more than your fill! 

Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons near Hereford

Festivals and arts

Hereford’s central green spaces play host to an abundance of carnivals, music festivals and riverside events. Throw yourself into a culture of music, food (and the UK’s best cider!) in the city or venture into nearby Hay-on-Wye, home to the world’s most famous literary festival.  

Female young people at festival sitting on grass

A boutique shopping experience

Enjoy small independent (and mainstream) shops and thriving markets, retailing affordable and original pieces that you won’t find elsewhere. Spend an afternoon at the Old Market or take a stroll down the city’s most well-known boutiques on our famous cobbled Church Street.  

NMITE integrated engineering students walking along Hereford streets with bunting behind them

An urban social scene

Hereford is home to a rich tapestry of quirky places to hang out, with plenty of student activities to enjoy.  You’ll find thriving eateries, cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs tucked away in hidden corners. From The Yard to The Jam Factory to The Shack, there’s plenty to explore.   

NMITE integrated engineering degree students at a bar in Hereford

I am delighted to be studying in Hereford as it is a lovely place that oozes personality, with friendly locals and interesting architecture which make it a place I would love to stay in forever.

Eira Mckillen, NMITE student

    Steeped in history and culture

    Founded between 676 and 688 AD, Hereford is brimming with the ‘old’. Anchored by Hereford Cathedral, home to Mappa Mundi, a unique medieval treasure, the city will both awe and inspire. Delve into the past at The Old House, a spooky Tudor-era dwelling, and the stunning Georgian Berrington Hall. 

    Hereford Cathedral

    Brimming with entrepreneurial vision

    Hereford is home to passionate creators, innovators and doers. Brimming with entrepreneurs, the city plays host to talented independent businesses within the UK, as well as some big names in the engineering sector. The city’s hot-spot for start-ups and global firms.  

    Professional presenting to a male audience inside a modern building

    Herefordshire is famous for...

    • The county makes the best cider in the country. A cider museum, opened in 1981, celebrates the rich cultural tradition of cider making in the county. It hosts historic cultural events each year. 
    • Heard of Yoda from Star Wars? The ingenious voice actor and Emmy-winning co-creator, Frank Oz, was behind the legendary character Yoda. Frank was born and raised in Hereford 
    • Award-winning Netflix series Sex Education was filmed in the Wye Valley at Symonds Yat 
    • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 was filmed in Herefordshire’s Forest of Dean. Harry, Ron and Hermione camp out in the forest during their quest to destroy the Horcruxes. 
    • Olly Alexander, lead singer from indie band Years & Years studied in Hereford city. He’s also representing the UK in Eurovision 2024! 

    Getting around

    It’s easy to get around in Hereford, plus the city enjoys easy transport links to major UK cities and airports. 

    • Getting around Hereford: A relatively small city, you can enjoy much of Hereford on foot or bicycle. No bike? No worries, Beryl Bikes are situated around every turn, and the bikes are very affordable to rent. 
    • Travelling further afield: Hereford has great transport links, so travelling in and out of the city by train or bus is easy. The county’s buses and trains are regular and we're perfectly located -  approximately an hour away from several major cities including Cardiff, Birmingham and Bristol, with direct transport routes to many more.  
    UK map showing Hereford city as a marker
    NMITE staff and students celebrating NMITE's opening day

    Student life

    Discover more about student life including our NMITE Students' Union, clubs and societies.

    Students' Union
    NMITE student ambassadors at NMITE open day in Hereford

    Open days

    Book an open day to explore our beautiful city and county for yourself. You won't be disappointed.

    Book open day