Offa’s Dyke is a trail with phenomenal historical interest! The earth that the Offa’s Dyke Path follows, was built in the 8th Century. Little did the King, who ordered its construction, know it would form the basis for what Lonely Planet ranks as one of the world’s greatest walks.
Lonely Planet highly rank this walk in Wales.
While not being the longest of the National Trails, Offa’s Dyke it is one of the most attractive and varied of them. At 177 miles long it follows the English/Welsh border. The route crosses high wild moorland, attractive wide river valleys & ancient woodland (441 ancient trees have been recorded on the route). Read what Lonely Planet says about it here.
Historical Facts:
King Offa of Mercia, an Anglo-Saxon king, ordered the construction of Offa’s Dyke in the 8th century, which many walk and explore today.
Some sections of the dyke still form the border between England and Wales. It consists of an earth bank, which in places stands to a height of 13.5 m, fronted by a deep quarry-ditch with a total width of up to 18m.
The path passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park, the Wye Valley, the Shropshire Hills, and the Clwydian Range.
Notable Highlights:
The path takes in some of the most iconic landscapes and heritage sites near Oswestry, allowing you to discover some hidden gems. The path runs through Llanymynech Rocks, Porth-y-Waen, into Nantmawr & Jones’s Rough nature reserve. A climb takes you to Moelydd Hill, before crossing to the Old Racecourse & the Old Hill Fort. Following it through Bronygarth to Chirk Castle before reaching Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
The Welsh and English landscapes are both spectacular and rewardingly rich in history and nature. At the racecourse viewpoint, 304m above sea-level, it provides great views across the Shropshire plain and into the Welsh hills.
Old Oswestry Racecourse: An 18th-century course set on a high plateau
Old Oswestry Hill Fort: An impressive Iron Age hill fort
Chirk Castle: Passing through the estate of Chirk Castle, is a section of the remarkable 8th-century defensive earthwork Offa’s Dyke, built by King Offa of Mercia to mark the ancient border with the kingdom of Powys.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: The longest aqueduct in Great Britain and the highest canal aqueduct in the world.
Accommodation
If the historical aspects, native wildlife and attractive landscapes are tempting you to walk all or part of this trail, we have accommodation close by so you can relax after your day & prepare ready for the next.
If you are on this long-distance walking route, we are happy to pick up our guests from either the Old Racecourse or Old Hill Fort or a nearby location for a cosy night’s accommodation in our Bunkhouse or one of our Shepherd Huts at www.wildvalleyhuts.co.uk
We are ‘Quality Assured’ by Visit Wales. We’d look forward to welcoming you and being the base for your adventure.
