Bishop celebrates Platinum Jubilee with Classic Car show and open gardens at The Palace, Hereford

Saturday 4 June 2022 – Palace gates open at 2 pm and close at 5 pm

On Saturday 4 June, The Bishop of Hereford, The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, will open the historic Great Palace in Hereford to visitors.  This event will mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations offering a free classic car show and open gardens event to the public.

A keen Harley Davidson motorbike enthusiast, the Bishop will ride into the Palace on his Harley Davidson accompanied by his Chapter group.  He hopes the motorbike display and car show will attract fellow enthusiasts as well as families interested in exploring the beautiful surrounds of the Great Hall, Palace Gardens, and Cathedral, a haven of tranquillity in the heart of the city.

Bishop Richard hopes people will take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy a visit to Hereford.  “On 4 June, the gates will officially open at 2 pm for visitors to enjoy the classic cars and bikes on display in the Palace courtyard.  They will be able to wander through the Great Hall to the gardens and exit via the Cathedral Cloisters.  There will be refreshments on sale, and I am praying for good weather!”

The Bishop’s Palace is located next door to this historic Hereford Cathedral, home of the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library.  The Palace is the private home of the Bishop of Hereford.  The original site was a great hall built in 1180, some of the original wooden structures of this ancient building can still be seen today.  The Palace is a courtyard construction and includes the home and office of the Bishop of Hereford as well as providing office space for the diocese and is home to a small number of private residents who occupy the cottages found alongside the gatehouse behind the Cathedral Library.

The event is open to everyone, there is no entrance fee, but visitors are invited to make a donation.  All the proceeds from refreshments and donations will go to The Friends of Hereford Cathedral.

For more details, please visit the Diocese website www.hereford.anglican.org/calendar or call the Bishop’s office on 01432 373326.