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Offa's Dyke Path - tour description
In the 8th century Offa, King of Mercia, ordered the construction
of a great earthen wall to control the Welsh frontier. Much of
'Offa's Dyke' survives to this day, and our walk follows the central
section of the Offa's Dyke Path national trail across a hilly
pastoral landscape little changed for centuries.
Along the way are historic border towns such as Hay-on-Wye, now
famous for its second-hand book shops; the 'black and white' market
town of Kington; Knighton or Tref-y-Clawdd, the ‘town
on the dyke’, and Montgomery, whose perfectly preserved Georgian
market square is overlooked by a castle ruined in the Civil War.
For the first two days' walking the Path runs some miles to the
west of the line of the Dyke, but between Kington and Montgomery
the Path follows the Dyke itself quite closely, as it crosses
the Shropshire Hills' designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
During the tour there is an an opportunity to make a day excursion
by train from Knighton to Ludlow with its beautiful mediaeval
town centre and castle towering above the River Teme.
Bruce Chatwin’s novel On the Black Hill is set in
the hills between Hay and Kington.
The longer tour (7 nights) ends at Welshpool, near which
is the magnificent house and garden of Powis Castle (National
Trust; open daily except Mondays and Tuesdays; in July and August
also open Tuesdays).
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Reports from previous customers
‘ strenuous but rewarding...absolute beauty and serenity
of the countryside.’ Mr D and Mrs M Beecroft. From article
in The Spectator (Toronto), October 12, 1996.
‘After exploring the Georgian village of Montgomery, we [visited]
Powis Castle, just outside Welshpool. Dating back to the late 13th century,
and perched on a rock above late 17th century garden terraces, the castle
today is a beautifully furnished country house.’ Ms A Crittenden.
From article in New York Times, June 14, 1998.
'[The accommodations] were all excellent. We liked [the accommodation
in Knighton] the best......everything so well organised. [The
best aspect of the trip was] hiking over the remote hills of the
Dyke.' J. & D. Graham, October 2000.
'Well-chosen lengths of daily walks and good choice
of accommodation. Other nice features: route notes with additional information
and possible detours; indication of detours and accommodation on the supplied
maps; documentation on possible activities on "non-walking" days.'
Mr T. Siderius, August 2002.
Offa's Dyke Path - tour details 2007
A Discerning Traveller self-led hiking tour
Duration and tour codes: 4 nights (O4); 7 nights (O7).
Dates: Start at Hay-on-Wye any day from April to mid-October except
during the Hay Festival. In 2006 the dates of the Guardian Hay Festival
are from Friday 26 May to Saturday 4 June. During this period it is still
possible to start the tour at Gladestry (normally Night 2).
Grade: Moderate; somewhat more demanding on the 6 and 7 night tour.
Train stations: Start of tour Hereford; end of tour Knighton (4
night tour), Welshpool (7 night tour). Very few trains serve Knighton
or Welshpool on Sundays.
Overnight stops: 4 night tour: 1 Hay-on-Wye; 2 Gladestry; 3 Kington;
4 Knighton; 7 night tour: as 4 night tour, then 5 Newcastle-on-Clun; 6
Montgomery; 7 Welshpool.
Accommodation: B&Bs, guest houses, farmhouses; en-suite facilities
available some nights but private/ensuite cannot be guaranteed throughout.
Meals included: Breakfast each morning. Evening meals available
locally without booking.
Factsheets: These are more detailed information sheets, one for
each tour, which can be obtained from The Discerning Traveller before
booking. The Factsheet code for our Offa's Dyke Path tour is FSO. Enquiry
form
Reading: Bruce Chatwin's acclaimed novel On the Black Hill
was set (and filmed) in the hills around Hay-on-Wye.
Offa's Dyke Path - tour prices 2007
- O7 (7 nights tour). £395 per person on basis of two
people in double or twin-bedded rooms. 7 nights bed and breakfast,
with baggage transfers, maps and route directions. Single
traveller supplement: £85.
- O4 (4 nights tour). £285 per person on basis of two
people in double or twin-bedded rooms. 4 nights bed and breakfast,
with baggage transfers, maps and route directions. Single
traveller supplement: £50.
- Extra nights: £32 per person per night.
N.B. ES/private facilities cannot be guaranteed throughout on this tour
(although available some or most nights).
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Click here to go to The Discerning
Traveller Home Page.
About self-led hiking and walking
tours
Also in Wales is the Discerning Traveller walk along the Pembrokeshire coast path
Also in the Welsh Borderland region we offer walks combining Shropshire
Hills and Offa's Dyke.
Our postal address is The Discerning
Traveller, 24 Cardigan Street, OXFORD OX2 6BP,
United Kingdom.
Telephone and fax 0(044) 1865 515618. E-mail:info@discerningtraveller.co.uk
www.discerningtraveller.co.uk
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