My first trip to the big bright city of Hereford

As part of my first stay abroad, I also visited Hereford, a tiny, but very charming city in the West Midlands. Located near the Welsh border, it's more of a rural area. You'll find lots of forests, green spaces and small cafés in the town centre. 

One of the best sights is the cathedral of Hereford, very old and historic. It hosts the Mappa Mundi, a medieval world map from the 13th century. 

Once dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Ethelbert The King, it has an impressive crypt and memorable library. It's also lucky to possess one of the Magna Carta which is sometimes shown next to the Mappa Mundi.

When you've finished your leisurely, thoughtful and attentive walk surrounding the Cathedral, you'll soon reach a harmonious, tranquil park that may be a perfect venue for a picnic amongst friends or family.

If you're missing a bit of a big city spirit, you may like the centre with the shopping streets and the Old House or the Black and White House. Buy Walker's buiscuits at Mark's & Spencer's, try on some fashionable dress at Next.

Worth a visit for culture-vultures are the Museum Resource & Learning Centre and the Hereford Museum and Art Gallery. You can find great exhibitions of archeology, fine arts, natural and social history here.

Hereford is wonderfully, marvelously English and people are polite, friendly and generally open.

If you're a not an English native and you would like to improve your English language skills, book your trip to Hereford and enjoy the refreshing nature of England.