The beautiful Lady Chapel, and the clerestory of the choir are Early English. The north and both the eastern transepts, part of tower, and the chapter-house, are Decorated. The chantries, sacristy, and a few other parts, are Perpendicular. The western tower fell in 1786, and brought down with it the west front and the first bay of the nave. This disaster accounts for the modern west front. Upon entering the nave the Norman bays are singularly impressive, especially the carved capitals. The choir is entered through a metal chancel screen; the stalls are richly carved, and 'the chair of King Stephen' is preserved in it. Scattered about in the great building there are probably more monumental tombs and effigies than in any other cathedral, and this is especially true with regard to ecclesiastics. Two notable monuments are those of Bishop Aquablanca (1245-1268), and the shrine of St. Thomas of Cantilupe in the north transept. A famous archæological treasure, the Mappa Mundi, a map of the world, drawn on one large sheet of parchment in the thirteenth century by Richard de Haldingham, is preserved in this building, and may be seen upon application. The Bishop's Palace is close to the Wye, on the south side of the cathedral.
The Shire Hall, a Grecian Doric building, standing in St. Peter's Square, was erected in the early part of the last century.
The Castle Green is the site of the vanished Castle of Hereford; it is one of the prettiest parts of the town. Hereford contains some interesting houses, and three of them, now used as a bank, may be seen in the High Town. It was at one time the Butchers' Guildhall, and the carving upon the outside, as well as the inside, is extremely ornate.
SECTION VIII
(TRUNK ROUTE)
LLANGURIG TO ABERGAVENNY, 68 MILES
DISTANCES ALONG THE ROUTE
| Miles. | ||
| Llangurig to Rhayader | 9 | ¼ |
| Rhayader to Newbridge-on-Wye | 8 | |
| Newbridge-on-Wye to Builth | 5 | ½ |
| Builth to Hay | 19 | |
| Hay to Bronllys | 7 | ¼ |
| Bronllys to Talgarth | 1 | |
| Talgarth to Castle Inn | 3 | ½ |
| Castle Inn to Crickhowell | 8 | ¼ |
| Crickhowell to Abergavenny | 6 | ¼ |
NOTES FOR DRIVERS
The road is splendidly engineered, and as a rule has an excellent surface. There are no really stiff gradients.
PLACES OF INTEREST ON THE ROUTE
Rhayader.—A small and uninteresting town; Birmingham reservoirs.