NEW – walk Offa’s Dyke on the English/Welsh border Back to News

We’re thrilled to present the latest addition to our self-guided walking holidays in the United Kingdom, this time straddling the Welsh Borders through the rural counties of Shropshire, Powys and Herefordshire.

Offa’s Dyke is the 80 mile long earthwork that has marked the border since the 8th century, running along ridge tops and dipping into valleys through splendidly scenic green hills. Our route follows some of the finest parts of the Offa’s Dyke Path, beginning with a gentle couple of days and building up to some serious striding out on the final days (though we offer shortening options too).

For centuries this countryside was subject to border skirmishes between the Welsh and English, as evidenced by ruined castles along the way. The pretty little Marcher towns would once have been fortified, but now they are places to rest comfortably and choose from the wealth of country pubs offering a hearty dinner. You’ll stay in these historic towns that sound like some kind of complicated chess move – from Bishop’s Castle to Clun to Knighton and Kington, the last of which makes a special effort to welcome walkers.

The final destination of your holiday is better known: Hay-on-Wye, nestled at the foot of the Brecon Beacons, is a booklover’s paradise, hosting a world famous annual literature and arts festival and an array of independent second-hand bookshops where you can while away the hours browsing the shelves. The owners will send home your serendipitous finds anywhere in the world, unless you can’t resist taking your cherished volume down to the banks of the gentle River Wye for a lazy afternoon in the sun.

Walk the full route through the Welsh Borders (five nights), or choose from the shorter four and three night versions. We think you won’t be able to resist an extra night in Hay-on-Wye to browse the bookshops or venture into the Brecon Beacons!

Contact Debbie at On Foot Holidays for more about this new holiday.

Photo credits: Pixabay, Jim Barton – cc-by-sa/2.0