Click
here for more info >> Offa's
Dyke Path
During
the 8th century, King Offa of Mercia ordered a great dyke to be built,
stretching from sea to sea, to mark the western boundary of his kingdom
with Wales. In places it is still visible as a bank up to 25 feet high
with a deep ditch alongside. Beginning at Chepstow on the Severn Estuary,
Offa's Dyke Path follows the course of this ancient earthwork to
Prestatyn on the coast of North Wales. It passes through scenery of great
beauty and variety ranging from the woodlands of the spectacular Wye gorge
to the windswept ridges of the Black Mountains and from the rolling hills
and secluded valleys of mid-Wales to the heather-clad Clwydian Hills.
Along the way it visits a succession of historic border towns and attractive
villages including Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Knighton, Montgomery and Welshpool.
There is much of historic
interest along the trail: Chepstow Castle, the first stone fortress built
in Wales; the picturesque ruin of Tintern Abbey on the banks of the Wye,
founded in 1131 for monks of the Cistercian Order; the 13th century gatehoused
bridge at Monmouth; the imposing stronghold of White Castle with its high
curtain walls and deep moat; the castle-like church of St Cadoc's
at Llangattock Lingoed, where villagers sheltered in times of conflict;
magnificent Powis Castle at Welshpool; the drum-towered Marcher fortress
of Chirk Castle and the hilltop fort of Dinas Bran overlooking Llangollen.
Self-guided
walking holidays
A Contours self-guided
walking holiday is a wonderful way to explore the countryside, walking
from one place to another, stopping somewhere different each night. We
arrange your accommodation along the trail, provide maps and a guidebook
describing the route, and transport your luggage between overnights stops.
We take care of every detail, leaving you free to enjoy the countryside
at your own pace, knowing everything is taken care of.
You can
start a self-guided walking holiday on any date you want. If you wish,
you can extend the tour by adding extra nights for rest days or sightseeing.
Contours
Walking Holidays,
Gramyre, 3 Berrier Road, Greystoke, CA11 OUB, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 17684 80451 Fax: +44 (0) 17684 80452
Email:
info@contours.co.uk |