Breinton circular walk
Distance 5.5 miles / 8.9 km
Walk information
Stiles: 0- Gates: 16 (9 kissing gate)
- Steps: 3, though they can be avoided
- Narrow bridges: 0
- Slopes: 2 short steep slopes
These features and the terrain are shown on the Breinton circular route map.
Download the Breinton circular walk leaflet
Parking
There are various car parks in Hereford City centre (charges apply). Or alternatively you can use the National Trust car park at Breinton Springs.
Refreshments
There are various pubs, cafes and shops in Hereford City centre. Please check opening times and booking requirements before setting out.
About Breinton Springs
The National Trust manage the land at point 1 on the map. Here at Lower Breinton there is a good sized free car park and the fresh water spring can be reached by walking from the car park, down the sloping path towards the river. Turn right at the bottom of the slope to walk along side the River Wye and you will reach the spring in the side of the ‘cliff’.
In the small orchard also owned by the National Trust you will see the pretty St. Michaels church on the right and earthworks to the left. These are the remains of Breinton Camp, a moated house which was the country residence of the Treasurer of the Cathedral in the middle ages.
There is a path between the sloping woodland and some cider orchards which is particularly beautiful in spring when the apple trees are in blossom and the woodlands are carpeted with bluebells.
On the route you will pass Warham House. This was once the site of an earlier residence, which was the leasehold property of Hereford Cathedral in the late 17th century. This was demolished and replaced possibly sometime in the 1800s by the existing property in the Jacobean revivalist style.
While in Hereford a visit to the impressive Norman Cathedral and the nearby chained library and Mappa Mundi Museum is a must.
The bridge crossing the River Wye at Hunderton is part of the Great Western Railway network which once took passengers from Hereford to Ross on Wye. These days it is part of the Great Western Way - a green route and cycleway, which provides a shortcut across the city and is known locally as ‘The Lines’.
Route map for Breinton circular route map
This route is managed by Balfour Beatty Living Places on behalf of Herefordshire Council.