Self-guided walking
17 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
13.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
The Offa's Dyke National Trail runs for 177 miles from the North Wales coast at Prestatyn to Chepstow on the Severn Estuary, following the hand-dug bank and ditch built in the 8th century by command of King Offa, the ancient Anglo-Saxon King of Mercia to protect his kingdom. The full trail passes through eight counties and criss-crosses the Welsh-English border no fewer than 20 times.
Walking southwards enjoy the changing landscape from the dramatic heather clad uplands of the Clwydian Range and Black Mountains, to the peaceful rolling hills of Shropshire and Powys and the riverside meadows of the Wye and Severn valleys as you walk through three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way you'll pass through areas of Site of Special Scientific Interest and discover a rich history from Iron Age forts, to Norman castles and to more recent areas of industrial heritage.
Accommodation is in a range of friendly guesthouses, pubs and hotels with many places including Llangollen, Hay-on-Wye, Montgomery and Chepstow offering a wide range of places to relax in the evening.
Arrive in the small village of Rhuallt, near the start of the trailhead at Prestatyn.
You stay at The White House.
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Visa
Pool
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Tea/coffee
The White House is a family-run bed and breakfast, located in Rhuallt, North Wales. The rooms are comfortable and modern.
After a short transfer to Prestatyn start your journey along the trail. From the beach head into the first of three AONB's you'll discover; the Clwydian Range. The stone stiles you'll go over today are unique to this section of the trail. There are spectacular views across to Snowdonia as you head toward Bodfari where you will be collected for a transfer to Rhuallt.
You stay at The White House.
MastercardVisaPoolHairdryerWiFiTVTea/coffee
The White House is a family-run bed and breakfast, located in Rhuallt, North Wales. The rooms are comfortable and modern.
The day starts with a transfer back to the route at Bodfari. You'll walk the Clwydian peaks and discover a series of Iron and Bronze Age hillforts at Foel Fenlli, Moel Arthur and Penycloddiau. The tallest summit in the range is Moel Famau at 554m and is crowned with the remains of the Jubilee Tower. Leave the trail to arrive in Llanarmon-yn-Ial.
You stay at The Raven.
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The Raven Inn is situated in one of the few remaining villages in the area which still has a church, chapel, shop, school, and pub, as well as a beautifully renovated Old School Room which is used as a Community Hall. The newly refurbished rooms are comfortable and well equipped.
Today your walk takes you through Llandegla Forest and over heather-clad moorland. You'll then pass through World's End to reach the dramatic limestone crags of the Eglwysegs above Llangollen.
You stay at The Riverbanc.
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The Riverbanc is perfectly located in the centre of the small town of Llangollen which is steeped in myth and legend. It is also best known for hosting the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod every July. The rooms are modern and comfortable.
From Llangollen walk up to the remains of the medieval Castell Dinas Bran before reaching the Pontcysllte Aqueduct. Built in 1805 and now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site it is the world's highest navigable aqueduct. Continue on through rolling farmland to Llwynmawr, perhaps taking a small detour to visit Chirk Castle.
You stay at The Mulberry Inn.
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The Mulberry Inn in the quiet setting of Llwynmawr village in the beautiful Ceiriog Valley. The rooms in this delightful country inn are modern and Individually furnished.
Walk across open farmland to reach Oswestry Old Racecourse, used for horse races in the 18th Century. Ascend Moelydd to enjoy stunning views, with a toposcope provided to show the hills in the area. Discover some of the industrial heritage of the area at Nantmawr and the limestone quarry of Llanymynech.
You stay at The Dolphin Inn.
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The Dolphin Inn is a family-run country pub with rooms. It is one of the oldest buildings in Llanymynech which evolved into a coaching inn in the 19th century with some parts dating back to 1517.
A more gentle day today as you enter the Welsh Marches and walk along stretches of the Montgomeryshire Canal and the River Severn.
You stay at Moors Farm.
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Traditional Farm House Accommodation once the principal farm house of Powis Castle. Now privately owned but still farming. It has a lot of character, including exposed beams and log-burning fires and provide spacious accommodation.
Today is another relatively flat stage, allowing time for a detour to Montgomery town to get refreshments and visit the ruined castle above the town. The Trail and the Dyke itself closely follow the true national boundary here.
You stay at Oakley B&B.
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Oakley is a modern property providing high quality bed and breakfast accommodation set in a beautiful rural location with stunning views over the hills and mountains of the Welsh Marches.
The Bed and breakfast is situated on the border of England and Wales four miles from the picturesque market towns of Bishops Castle and Montgomery. Both towns have a choice of tea rooms, restaurants and pubs, with their own microbreweries.
Often thought of as one of the toughest sections of the Trail you reach the Shropshire Hills AONB and can view some of the best preserved sections of Offa's Dyke on Llanfair Hill.
You stay at The Horse and Jockey Inn.
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Situated in the heart of the market town of Knighton, close to the Offa's Dyke centre. This traditional 14th Century coaching inn boasts a lot of character with its original beams and open fires. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped.
Enjoy a day off walking and spend time in Knighton, home to the Offa's Dyke Centre.
You stay at The Horse and Jockey Inn.
MastercardVisaHairdryerWiFiTVTea/coffee
Situated in the heart of the market town of Knighton, close to the Offa's Dyke centre. This traditional 14th Century coaching inn boasts a lot of character with its original beams and open fires. Rooms are comfortable and well equipped.
Today you'll get stunning views from Hawthorn Hill, including the site of Owain Glyndwr's Battle of Pilleth. The trail passes through Granner Wood, a Woodland Trust site which is being restored to broadleaf woodland. Then, on to Brandor Hill, home to Kington Golf Club, the highest golf club in England before reaching the market town of Kington.
You stay at Swan Hotel.
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The Swan Hotel offers 7 en-suite bedrooms above the pub, each with tea and coffee making facilities, a colour television and a comfy bed so you can guarantee a good nights sleep.
The day starts with a climb to where the Trail rises to 400m at Hergest Ridge. On a clear day you'll have 360 degree views to Pen y Fan to the south, the Malverns to the east and the hills of Shropshire to the north. Hergest Ridge has an old racecourse, and was also inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles. Heading back down to the valley you'll follow the River Wye towards Hay-on-Wye. This quaint town was founded by the Normans after the Conquest and is nowadays famous for its numerous book shops. There is a choice of pubs and restaurants in which to spend the evening.
You stay at The Old Black Lion.
An historic 17th Century Inn, it is situated close to what was known as the Lion Gate, one of the original entrances into the medieval walled town of Hay-on-Wye. It is believed that parts of the building date back to the 1300’s. The Old Black Lion certainly has a colourful history and it is reputed that Oliver Cromwell stayed at the Inn whilst the Roundheads besieged Hay Castle. The rooms are traditional and comfortable.
Start your journey through the Black Mountains of the Brecon Beacons National Park with views to the Vale of Ewyas before reaching Longtown with its 12th century Norman motte-and-bailey fortification.
You stay at The Crown Inn.
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The Crown Inn is a family run country inn in the heart of the beautiful Herefordshire countryside, on the border of Wales, set in the shadow of the magnificent Black Mountains. Located in the Olchon Valley, just off the Offa’s Dyke pathway and in the middle of the Golden Valley. There are 7 comfortable rooms available, all with ensuite bathroom/shower, tea/coffee making facilities and TV.
Continue through the Brecon Beacons National Park and along Hatterrall Ridge - enjoy stunning views to Sugar Loaf. Much of the ridge is a designated SSSI area.
You stay at The Old Rectory.
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The Old Rectory is a 17th century property which stands in an acre of garden, in the unspoilt rural hamlet of Llangattock-Lingoed nestling in the Welsh border countryside. The Offas Dyke Trail passes the garden gate. The rooms are spacious and comfortable.
The dyke is not visible along here but the area is rich with medieval history with White Castle worth a visit. The Rivers Wye, Monnow and Trothy converge at Monmouth and the trail passes below Monnow Bridge, the only remaining medieval fortified bridge in Great Britain.
You stay at Creates.
This new venue is a beautiful Café and Bistro combined with an Art Gallery. The boutique rooms are beautifully decorated and modern. Creates in Monmouth was also crowned the winner of Channel 4’s - Four in Bed!
Over the next two days you'll walk through the third and final Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty of this holiday, the Wye Valley. Enjoy views from The Kymin, an 18th Century Round House and Naval Temple. At Redbrook the trail crosses the border out of Wales for the final time.
You stay at The Wild Hare.
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A short detour off the route at the start of the day takes you to the ruins of Tintern Abbey, then follow a tree lined escarpment to Devil's Pulpit for a spectacular view back to the Abbey. As you near Chepstow, you'll have views of the Castle, the oldest surviving post Roman fortification in Britain. Arrive at Sedbury cliff at the Severn estuary, a Maritime Natural Area which has the second highest tidal range in the world thanks to its shape and the 5 rivers that feed into it. A transfer will meet you for the short ride to Chepstow for your last night.
You stay at The Three Tuns.
The Three Tuns Inn is located in the old part of Chepstow just in front of the Castle and the lower end of Bridge Street, with its elegant row of early 19th century houses, the street descends to the River Wye which is crossed by the beautiful cast Iron bridge dating back to 1816. The rooms are comfortable and refurbished to a high standard.
Depart after breakfast
These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £1220.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
Self-guided walking
17 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 2+
Moderate plus
13.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
