20 walks/40 pages

This is an entirely new expanded edition of the Kittiwake book of walks around Hereford, which now includes walks around Leominster. A few of the original walks have been used, but most are new ones, and they all reflect the author's own favourite parts of the countryside in this lovely county. The walks are all within easy reach of Hereford and/or Leominster, and all are accessible by public transport as well as by car.

The walks feature pastures, orchards and especially woods, hills and streams or rivers. Iron Age hill forts were usually built on hilltops, and many now have attractive woodland and/or good views, and several of the walks visit these evocative reminders of the past. Nature reserves are also usually in delightful settings, and the walks, especially those round Fownhope, take in several of these, including some belonging to the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust an excellent organisation, always happy to welcome new members. The River Wye is one of the finest in Britain, and Hereford is the only city it goes through, so it will be no surprise to find that five of the walks in this book have a section along the Wye.

The walks use public rights of way, open access land or permissive paths; all of these can change with time, so please be tolerant and flexible and follow local instructions if routes have altered. All have been walked in winter and summer and we are indebted to the individuals and organisations, especially the Ramblers Association, who work hard to maintain paths and to keep them open.

It's a wonderful walking area, where you will find peace and great beauty whichever path you follow.