Museum of Cider

About the museum

The Hereford Cider Museum Trust was founded in 1973 by Bertram Bulmer and Norman Weston, who both came from cider-making families and feared that the history of the industry would be lost. The trust began to collect objects and records, and it raised money and interest from a shop in the city centre. The Museum of Cider opened in 1981 inside the old Bulmers cider factory.

In the 1980s Bertram Bulmer set out to revive the almost forgotten craft of distilling cider into brandy. After a two-year dispute with the customs authorities and European officials over the word brandy, a licence was granted in 1984, and the King Offa Distillery, with a pot still made in Normandy in 1905, worked in the museum until 1994. The distillery still stands, and the last barrels have been bottled for sale in the shop.

Today the museum shows the original factory and its champagne cider cellars, with oral history recordings, interactive displays and a replica late-Victorian pub. It has Accreditation status from Arts Council England for the care of its collection and also keeps an archive. A shop sells more than 100 craft ciders and perries, and temporary exhibitions are included in the admission price.

Highlights

• Original cider factory and champagne cider cellars
• Replica late-Victorian pub and interactive trail
• King Offa Distillery, the first cider brandy licence in about a century
• Oral history recordings and object history films
• Shop with more than 100 craft ciders and perries

Permanent exhibitions

• The original cider factory and champagne cider cellars – Self-guided displays in the former Bulmers factory and its cellars, with oral history recordings and other interactive features.
• Replica late-Victorian pub and interactive trail – Hands-on displays and activity stations for visitors of all ages, including a recreated pub.
• King Offa Distillery – The preserved distillery where cider brandy was made from 1984 to 1994; bottles of the last stock are sold in the shop.

Founded

1981

Operated by

Hereford Cider Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Admission is paid at the door, and entry to the shop and tearoom is free. Gift Aid adds 10% to the admission price for UK taxpayers. Temporary exhibitions are included in the admission price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Two disabled parking spaces are at the front of the museum, a wheelchair can be borrowed from reception, and the ground floor galleries, shop and tearoom are accessible. The cellars can be reached only by stairs, but a lift serves the first-floor Beam Press gallery where temporary exhibitions are held. An accessible toilet is in the ground floor galleries, through the shop. A hearing loop is at the front desk, and films and audio presentations are not yet subtitled although transcripts are being prepared. Sensory backpacks with fidget toys, ear defenders, a torch, a magnifying glass, a sand timer and a puppet can be borrowed from reception; voice-overs play in several rooms, with warning posters. Dogs other than assistance dogs cannot enter the galleries.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Hands-on stations

Children aged 16 and under enter free with an adult. There is an interactive trail, a replica late-Victorian pub and several activity stations, and sensory backpacks can be borrowed. Schools can book hands-on workshops for primary classes.

Getting there & parking

The museum is west of Hereford city centre, off the A438 Brecon Road, close to Sainsbury's and the Travelodge. There are two bicycle racks outside. The postal address for letters is 21 Ryelands Street, Hereford, HR4 0LW.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Wi-Fi

The tearoom serves cafetiere coffee, tea and cakes during museum hours, and free Wi-Fi is available. The shop sells craft ciders and perries, spirits, apple juice and gifts, and small tasting samples are offered. Dogs are welcome in the shop and tearoom.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Up to 30 guests.

Three first-floor meeting rooms can be hired by the hour, half day or full day: Bulmers Norman (16 to 30 people), Redstreak (12 to 20) and Pearmain (1 to 6). The lift cannot be used in a fire evacuation.

Plan your visit