HEREFORDSHIRE Council is hosting a Viking-themed family open day where people of all ages can come along and see the Herefordshire Hoard.

The Herefordshire Hoard, a collection of ancient Viking treasures, includes a crystal sphere mounted in a frame of gold, an octagonal gold ring, a bracelet and a collection of coins. This collection of rare Viking and Anglo-Saxon objects offers an insight into the rich heritage of our ancestors and a historical narrative that delves into the significant mysteries of the Viking era.

The Herefordshire Hoard is one of the most significant Viking hoards ever found in the west of Britain and to date only a few of its contents have been recovered.

It was discovered in June 2015 in a field outside Leominster by two metal detectorists whose failure to report their find led to the largest heritage crime investigation of its type ever undertaken.

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The open day is on Monday August 14 between 10am and 3pm, at the Museum Resource and Learning Centre on Friars Street. Booking is not required, but the council has advised that there may be a queue to see the Hoard at busier times in the day.

As well as seeing the Hoard, visitors can take part in activities like dressing up and weaving.

The nearest public parking is available next to Hereford Military Club.

The Museum and Resource Centre is the central storage facility for Herefordshire Council’s storage facility for the museum collections. The former British telecom exchange, converted and extended in 2008 with lottery funding, is now home to the county’s art, archaeology, costumes, social history and natural science collections that are not usually on public display. The building includes climate-controlled stores, offices and a conservation lab.