7 minute read
Offa’s Dyke
Serious walkers can’t resist the challenge of Offa’s Dyke, the epic earthwork masterminded by its namesake King of Mercia in the 8th century. Stretching 177 miles from the friendly beach resort of Prestatyn in the north to the Severn Estuary at Chepstow in the south, this National Trail undulates through scenic countryside, roughly following the England/Wales border through eight counties.
Offa’s Dyke was constructed as a ditch and earth rampart, around 26 feet deep from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the mound, and 88 feet wide. Much has now disappeared under farmland, but the walkers preserve its memory as they trek on through Brecon Beacons National Park and three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Wye Valley, Shropshire Hills and Clywdian Range. Some 3,000 each year join the ranks of the ‘End to Enders,’ completing the whole route, often taking about two weeks to do so. Many more traverse selected sections, perhaps seeking more of a picnic experience than the feat of a lifetime.
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Popular spots to spend time include the beautiful ruins of Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, on the banks of the River Wye. One great vantage point is the Devil’s Pulpit, a limestone pillar on the path, where it is said the devil preached to the monks below, tempting them to desert the edifice, long before Henry VIII destroyed it. The plentiful bookshops of Hay-on-Wye are another tourist magnet and there is an Offa’s Dyke Centre in Knighton, Powys. Find out more from www.offasdyke.org.uk
Located only 300m from the Beginning and End Structure to the Offa’s Dyke Path, The Beaches Hotel offers a warm welcome to all.
You will find the local train station only a 20-minute walk away, and should you wish to drive, leave your vehicle in our carpark, and take the train to your starting point. The 4-star Beaches Hotel boasts 80 luxurious guest rooms of all sizes, with all reservations inclusive of a continental and full cooked breakfast each morning of your stay. As our guest take advantage of our swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and gym. Enjoy dinner in the evening, in our Promenade Bistro | Bar, and watch the sun set over the stunning Irish Sea. Our seaside town is the perfect place to start or end your walking holiday.
Beaches Road East, Prestatyn, North Wales Coast, LL19 7LG 01745 853072 | info@thebeacheshotel.com www.thebeacheshotel.com
Small quiet site on a working dairy farm in the Wye Valley
Set well back from any main roads, the pitches here are pretty peaceful, although you may well hear a tractor or two going about their business from time to time. And of course you’ll most likely be able to listen in on the resident cows too: they generally graze the fields next to the site, eating up all the grass that helps them produce properly creamy milk. Guests can sample the fresh milk for themselves as it’s bottled and sold at the farm gate shop (and some of it goes into producing ice cream, which you can also pick up here alongside fresh eggs and other local produce). Getting out for a walk is a must around these parts – there are lots of trails to follow in nearby forests, or you can set out on a woodland trail from the farm to reach the Offa’s Dyke Path and Devil’s Pulpit viewpoint in about five minutes. Canoeing, crazy golf and the treetop trails of Go Ape are all within a 20-minute drive for a bit of different activity. To find out more, or to book please visit www.chasemilk.co.uk/campsite/
THE WALKING HUB
A specialist walking shop, accommodation and centre for Nordic Walking
Independently owned and run by a passionate walker. The Walking Hub is an Aladdin’s cave of individually selected and well researched walking gear, a hub for Nordic walking and local walks and a B&B that’s a popular rest stop along Offa’s Dyke National Trail. The Hub is an ideal place for walkers to stay, whether walking through or using Kington as a base. Dating from the 1700s, oozing charm and atmosphere, it’s easy to rest here after a long day of walking and get a comfortable night’s sleep. Learn to Nordic Walk with Ali, a qualified British Nordic Walking Association instructor. A low, medium or high intensity sport that’s fun and sociable, offering amazing health benefits and suitable for all ages and abilities. Visit our website to find out more www.thewalkinghub.com
07756 172160 26 High Street, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3AX
Acre Luxury Lodges
4 luxurious properties on the Powys/Herefordshire border. Each property has its own hot tub, private parking, and wood burning stoves. They all have enclosed garden/patio areas. Our house sleeps 8, our 2 lodges sleep 6 and our cottage sleeps 4
www.countylifestyleandleisure.com/acreluxurylodges acreluxurylodges@outlook.com
DISCOVER
Offa’s Dyke
Wyes Workshops
Our business as holiday hosts opened in April 2021 and since then we have had 287 awesome reviews which suggest we have created a genuine holiday oasis, providing guests with everything they need. That includes a great welcome and sharing our local knowledge, but also leaving them in peace and privacy to relax undisturbed.
Oak Cottage is in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the stunning Wye Valley, near Monmouth and the Forest of Dean. Sitting on the crest of a hill, It’s the ideal stopover spot for people walking the Offa’s Dyke trail from Chepstow. For those walking the route from the north, it’s a fantastic place to take stock, absorb the surroundings, reflect on the journey and perhaps visit the famously beautiful Tintern Abbey nearby. The Oak Cottage site is a quite magical mix of sunny paddocks with dry stone walls, on the edge of ancient Hudnalls National Nature Reserve. Sitting high above the River Wye, our accommodation has been designed and built in harmony with all this special landscape, with our campers’ cabin, hideaway hut, Gypsy caravan and yurt all spaced out in their own secluded nooks.
They are all dog friendly and equipped with walkers’ necessities such as comfy beds, woodburning stoves, walking books, maps, plasters and drinking water. Each property has their own hot shower and toilet with three of the properties having their own hot tubs for soaking those achy muscles. Breakfast is included and the hosts can also supply supper hampers and packed lunches.
Manor Arms,
the gateway to Duddon Valley
This award winning, family run 17th century Free House, The Manor Arms is open daily from 12 noon, closing at 11.30pm (12 midnight on Friday and Saturday). Furness CAMRA’s pub of the year 2019. In the bar we have a pool table and a pool team in addition to a selection of other activities including dominoes, cards, chess and books to keep the children happy.
We look forward to welcoming you to enjoy The Manor Arms and this uniquely attractive area and remind you that, for the weary tourist not wanting to return home just yet, there are comfortable en-suite rooms accompanied the following morning by another splendid experience in the form of a Manor Arms breakfast served in the comfort of your room.
