Walk 9 Dolforwyn Castle & Abermule Buses go every couple of hours every day except 8 miles/12.9k 3 hours plus Castle time 4 This castle was built in 1273-1277 by Llywelyn the Sundays. For current schedule information see the 9.7 miles/15.6 k if you include Abermule Last. See www.castlewales.com/dolforn.html for notice board at the stop, call Traveline Cymru at 6 miles/9.7k one way its description and history. Information on the 0871 2002233 or visit the web site, Moderate to difficult excavations can be found at www.traveline.cymru/. To return to the walk, http://www.castlewales.com/dolforn1.html. Once retrace your steps across the bridge to the canal. 1 Begin at the Waggon and Horses at the junction of you have looked around this impressive monument, Lower Canal Road and Dolafon Road. Cars can be retrace your steps to leave the castle the way you 7 Either from the Abermule detour or the lock below parked nearby. Walk east along Canal Road entered. When you see the first pedestrian gate (SO the castle, continue along the canal toward towards Llanllwchaiarn. Where the pavement 151949) instead of going towards it continue on the Newtown, eventually passing the Pwll Penarth finishes you will need to walk along the road. Pass main grass track to your left and downhill. Nature Reserve on your left. This reserve is Llanllwchaiarn Church on your right, which was operated by the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust and built in 1814 on a site dating back to the 6th Century 5 At the bottom of the hill you will come out on the there are two hides available for bird watching. and has a famous art deco stained glass window and road. Turn right and continue until you see a Details of the reserve, including a map, can be a carved rood screen but is rarely open except for fingerpost on your left pointing to Abermiwl (SO found at www.montwt.co.uk/pwll.html bi-weekly services. 149947). Go through the gate here and walk downhill keeping the field hedge on your left. 8 You will again pass Llanllwchaiarn Church on The road meanders uphill to a red brick house, Continue until you reach a Bridleway fingerpost your right, and the ‘Old Pump House’ on your left. Tynybitfel, 1.4 miles from the start. Continue (SO 150946) where you bear right. At the bottom of The Pump House took water from the Severn to walking along this road, passing the left hand the field go through a gate on to a tarmac lane. supply the head of the canal. It was originally turning to Lower Gwestydd Farmhouse and onwards operated by a water wheel, later by steam and for another 0.7 miles, to a T junction with the B4389 6 Turn left and immediately right to cross the bridge eventually by a diesel engine. It ceased operation in at the end (SO 136940). over the end of the canal lock. Once across the canal the 1940s. Go through the gate after the Pump turn right to follow the towpath back to Newtown House, taking the upper path along the flood 2 Turn right toward Welshpool, then take the lane and the Waggon and Horses. defence bank. Go through the gate on the right on to immediately on the left, leading uphill. At the top Dolafon Road. Turn right which will bring you you will pass an impressive red brick farmhouse, To take a detour into Abermule or to catch a bus back to the Waggon and Horses on your right. Aberbechan Hall, where Rowland Fernyhough, the back, turn left here (SO 152944) and walk along the international show-jumper, grew up. Go past the towpath until you come to a fingerpost (SO 162952) Waggon and Horses next farm, Pwllcoch, and continue following the showing that Berriew is 5 miles ahead, Newtown is This local pub run by Neil and Jackie offers road downhill, around a sharp right-hand bend 5.6 miles behind and Abermule is 500 metres to excellent bar service with real ale and meals in their passing a house called Whym. At the top of the next your left. Here you will see the road bridge over the Garden Restaurant. The opening hours are: rise you will see a fingerpost pointing up into the River Severn which has the inscription ‘"This Monday to Thursday - from 6 pm woods on your left (SO 149947). Second Iron Bridge constructed in the county of Friday - 12-2, then from 5 pm Montgomery was erected in the year 1852". Saturday and Sunday - all day from noon 3 Enter through the gap in the hedge and follow the Abermule has a shop and a pub, the Abermule Hotel Open lunchtime during the week by arrangement, steep footpath up through the wood. At the top go which is open daily except Tuesday. The detour phone 01686 625790 through two pedestrian gates passing in front of a will add 1.7 miles onto the walk. You can also cottage (SO 151949). Continue straight on, catch either the 71 or X75 bus from Abermule back following the path up the bank to reach Dolforwyn to Newtown. The main stop is on the same side of Castle. the road for both directions, near the village shop.