Welcome to the Accessible Herefordshire guide to the Nutcracker Trail brought to you from Hereford City Life
To Take Part...
Follow the trail map to discover the twelve nutcracker statues hidden around the city.
Each has a fabulous festive name - write them down as you go - download a form or ask at the Hereford Tourism Centre
Once you’ve found all the nutcrackers head to Hereford Tourist Information Centre to collect a special Christmas prize! Wheelchair access to the Tourist Information Centre is under the side archway into the car park and around to the back of the building were there is a ramp with a disabled button to operate the door.
This trail has been designed and put together by Hereford City Life to take in the sites and showcase the businesses of the City of Hereford. Accessible Herefordshire has included useful access information and recommendations for businesses in Hereford City who have embraced our recommendations for improving and increasing their accessibility to provide an inclusive warm welcome to all.
1. Start in High Town – lots of accessible and welcoming shops and keep a look out for the first Nutcracker and his name!
2. Church Street – independent shops and cafes - some have a small step but are warm and welcoming. Visit nearby Hereford Cathedral - it is accessible and has trained staff on hand to help with any additional needs Accessibility Statement here
3. Cathedral Green has paved footpaths and access is good – The Castle House Hotel has a great accessible ground floor area for coffee, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner. There is also wheelchair accessible accommodation on site with ramped access to the beautiful garden area with adjacent room for a carer or accompanying family for visitors to Hereford.
Accessible Herefordshire can also recommend The Green Dragon Hotel for ground floor easy access to the The Hereford restaurant for dinner, relaxing in the stylish Garrick Lounge with afternoon tea, or indulging on cocktails in the luxurious Offa Bar. Large print menus are available and helpful staff on hand. For full accessibility statement details please click here
4. King Street has a range of different businesses including, a cafe with no step doorway. Look out for the nutcracker! Accessible Herefordshire can recommend the super accessible Left Bank Village set on the banks of the River Wye and a much-loved urban venue. Part of Hereford’s Indie Quarter, and one of the city’s most popular places for drinking and eating out, socialising and events. The Left Bank itself is wheely accessible with a variety of bars, cafes and terrace café.
5. Eign Gate has a variety of different shops on pedestrianised walkways leading to …
6. All Saints Church – a Grade 1 Listed church which has ground floor access, disabled loo and a good restaurant on the ground floor with further seating and ramp to nave area of church. Open Monday to Saturdays 8-4 Look out for the very rude stone carving in the ceiling! There is an automatic door from Bewel Street entrance for ease of entry and a printed menu is available.
7. Old Market Hereford has a large car park with disabled parking spaces and is perfect for shopping, eating out, parking and Waitrose supermarket. There is a lift at Old Market to enable visitors access to the facilities on the first floor such as public toilets. All store entrances are located at street level to enable easy access for all visitors. There is also an official Changing Place located adjacent to the public toilets near the Management Suite; featuring a height-adjustable changing bench and ceiling track hoist. The toilet is centrally located to allow room on either side for carers. Changing places are STOMA friendly. You will need a RADAR key to access this facility and your own sling to use with the hoist.
Old Market Hereford are committed to creating a welcoming environment for all of their customers and following on from their participation in National Autism Hour and having their staff complete Autism Awareness they have worked with their retailers to create a permanent Quiet hour every Sunday.
Old Market have produced Sensory Packs which are available to borrow for those who feel overwhelmed when shopping. These packs are for both adults and children and include; ear defenders, caps, fidget toys, shopping checklists and flashcards with key information and visuals of Old Market. To book your pack please call the Customer service team 01432 264109 or email info@oldmarkethereford.co.uk. Alternatively, you can visit the Management Suite on arrival. General flashcards for the centre can be viewed prior to your visit.
Please see below list for details on each retailer’s quiet hour:
Old Market Management 10-12pm – Hand dryers off in female and male toilets. No excess noise on mall. Costa 9-10am - Music lowered. Please note there will be noise from the coffee machine. Upstairs seating will be quieter. Coffee Corner 9-10am - Music off. Please note there will be noise from the coffee machine. H&M 11.00-12pm - Music lowered. Please note tannoy announcements may sound. Clarks 10.30-11.30am - Music off. Please note during Back to School period it can be very busy. Appointments can be booked online for shoe fitting in a quiet space. Tiger 10.30-11.30am – Music off. Jack Wills 11-12pm – Music lowered. River Island 11-12pm - Music lowered. TK Maxx 11-12pm – Music off. Waitrose 11-12pm – Music off. Please note tannoy announcements may sound but these will be kept to a minimum. Next 11-12pm – Music off. Please note there may be noise from the till bell. Fat Face 10.30-11.30pm – Music lowered. L’Occitane 10.30-11.30pm – Music off and lights lowered. Pandora 10.30-11.30pm- Music off. Joules 10.30-11.30pm – Music off. Paperchase 11-12pm – Music off. Seasalt 11-12pm – Music off and lights lowered. Vodafone 11-12pm – Music off. Odeon – Last Sunday of every month have an autism friendly screening where the lights are raised and volume lowered. For more information please see Odeon website.
Stop for a delicious burger at The Beefy Boys - large print and Braille menus available.
8. Look out for Fox and Mabel, an Accessible Herefordshire recommendation for a warm welcome and accessible assistance if required - a shop of gorgeousness for homewares, great coffee and an independent, local business.
9. Widemarsh Street full of great shops, places to eat and drink. Can you spot the nutcracker? Low stepped pavements for easy wheely access. Accessible Herefordshire recommends Saxtys for food and drink with friendly staff and a very warm welcome. Saxtys is accessible with the majority of the venue on the ground floor with no steps. An accessible garden space with ramp access, 3 accessible bars and a restaurant with disabled toilet. The Imperial Pub next door to Saxtys is also warm and welcoming with the majority of the ground floor being wheely accessible.
10. Trinity Square is flat, paved and accessible and home to Maylord Orchards Home. A diverse range of independently owned and big brand retail outlets in the heart of Hereford city centre. Look out for the nutcracker!
11. Waterstones book shop has level entrance to the ground floor with helpful staff on hand to help you find the nutcracker.
12. St Peters Street is wide and paved and is home to a mix of chain and independent shops including a new addition charity shop raising funds for the The National Star College, a special needs college situated in Ledbury Road Hereford. Well worth a mooch !
13. Tanners Hereford has a rich heritage running to nearly 200 years of trading in the city. There is a step into the shop but you might spot a nutcracker if you look through the window!
Once you’ve found all the nutcrackers, head to Hereford Tourist Information Centre to collect a special Christmas prize. Wheelchair access to the Tourist Information Centre is under the side archway into the car park and around to the back of the building were there is a ramp with a disabled button to operate the door.
Good Luck !
Access information brought to you from Accessible Herefordshire CIC
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