CELTIC TRAILS ~ THE WALKING HOLIDAY SPECIALISTS

WALK ITINERARY Michael Gorey

Offa's Dyke Path - Chepstow to Prestatyn Arrival Mon 24-Mar Departure Sat 5-Apr

Grade Classic 11 nights, 11 walking days and one rest day in Classic grade accommodation, ensuite or private facilities wherever possible; B&B, luggage transfer, internal walk transfers, walk pack, including National Trail guide and Harvey's map (one per two walkers). Packed lunches are not included but can be booked from any or all of your accommodations. If you require packed lunch the next day please discuss this with your hosts the previous night as they generally like to have some notice. Please pay direct before departure each day. Evening meals are not included and are generally taken at a nearby pub. Transfer to and from the pub is included where the distance is too far. Where a meal has been booked in-house, please pay your hosts direct. Taxi transfers; please be aware that many taxi companies are involved in school runs, usually between 0800hrs and 0900hrs and 1500hrs and 1615hrs, so it is advisable to contact the company as early as possible to confirm arrangements when your day's itinerary requires transfers.

Banks and cash machines - there are banks in Chepstow, Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, , Llangollen and Prestatyn. Please ensure you have sufficient currency for your daily needs between these locations. Debit and credit cards can be accepted at most hotels and pubs; sterling cheques are usually accepted

3 Chepstow Bridge

coach stop Beaufort Hotel

Mon 24-Mar Walk Miles Chepstow to Monmouth 16.20 Leave your luggage at The Beaufort Hotel, Amber Cars, 01600 712200 will collect it during the morning. You will start the walk at the old bridge in Chepstow; cross the bridge and walk up the narrow pathway opposite. Follow the Path towards Tintern and Redbrook. On approaching Brockweir (Page 37 NTG) you have the choice of a lower or an upper route - the lower route takes you along the banks of the River Wye (extends the walk by one mile), and the upper route, via Hudnalls, is the more scenic but difficult to follow.

Accommodation Directions: Bill & Jayne Lapping Transfer from Monmouth: I have arranged for Amber Cars, 01600 Norton House 712200 , to collect you from outside the Punch House, Agincourt Old Monmouth Road Square (centre of Monmouth next to Henry Rolls statue). You will Whitchurch need to call them when you get to Monmouth to agree a collection Ross On Wye time. They will be expecting your call around 5 - 6pm. If you Herefordshire. HR9 6DJ decide to eat in Monmouth please call your hostess to advise her Tel: 01600 890046 as she will be expecting you 5.30 - 6.30pm - thank you.

Punch House

Wye Bridge

Dinner: In Whitchurch you can eat at the Old Court Hotel or the Crown Hotel.

4 Day 2 Walk Miles Tue 25-Mar Rest Day -

Accommodation Directions: Bill & Jayne Lapping You are within walking distance of Symonds Yat. Your hostess will Norton House direct you if required. Old Monmouth Road Whitchurch Ross On Wye Herefordshire. HR9 6DJ Tel: 01600 890046

Norton House

Dinner: As yesterday.

Tomorrow's lunch: You can purchase provisions from Waitrose or Marks and Spencer food which are both on Monmouth High Street. The only place to stop on route is at the Hunters Moon, Llangattock Lingoed, 01873 821499 (2.2 miles before you get to Pandy)

5 Day 3 Walk Miles Wed 26-Mar Monmouth to Pandy 16.75

Accommodation Directions: Sandra Lyon The Lancaster Arms Guest House is directly on Offa's Dyke Path The Lancaster Arms Guest House where it crosses the A465 in Pandy Old Hereford Road Pandy Monmouthshire NP7 8DW Tel: 01873 890699

Grid Reference SO 333 218

Dinner: The guest house is fully licensed and your hostess serves a selection of meals. Please pay her direct using cash or a cheque (no credit card facilities). There are also two pubs in the village. Tomorrow's lunch: There is no where to purchase tomorrow, so we suggest you ask Mrs Lyon for packed lunch. Please pay her direct (prices from £3)

6 Day 4 Walk Miles Thu 27-Mar Pandy to Hay on Wye 17.50

Accommodation Directions: Dawn Farnworth See location map below for The Start. Located on the side of the The Start bridge, on the riverbank (sign on road). Hay on Wye Herefordshire . HR3 5RS Tel: 01497 821391

Grid Reference SO 227 426

Dinner: There are a number of eating places in Hay. For good value pub food we have been recommended the The Blue Boar pub, tel 01497 820884. If you would like a high standard restaurant meal we have been recommended The Famous Old Black Lion, in Lion Street, tel 01497 820841 (advance booking is strongly recommended), and The Three Tuns 01497 821855. The Indian has also been recommended.

Tomorrow's lunch: Mrs Farnsworth will provide packed lunches if requested, or there are shops in Hay where provisions can be purchased

7 Day 5 Walk Miles Fri 28-Mar Hay on Wye to Kington 14.50

Accommodation Directions: Ms Susan Robson Follow the path into the centre of Kington. Exit the path on Church De Lacy House Street and walk along High Street and then into Victoria Road where 5 Victoria Road you will see your accommodation on your left hand side, opposite the Kington health centre Herefordshire HR5 3BX Tel: 01544 231448

Grid Reference SO 300 567

Dinner: There are a number of eating places in Kington including The Lion www.lionkington.com, The Oxford Arms in Duke Street www.the-oxford-arms.co.uk and a Thai and Chinese Resataurant www.tasteoforiental.co.uk. There is also the Burton Hotel which serves food in the bar, The Royal Oak, and The Hyderabad which serves Indian food (no licence but you can take your own alcohol). Tomorrow's lunch: Can be purchased locally, your hostess will direct.

8 Day 6 Walk Miles Sat 29-Mar Kington to Knighton 13.50

Accommodation Directions: Mr and Mrs J Rees When you arrive in Knighton continue until you reach Broad Street. The George & Dragon Inn You will find the George and Dragon half way up the hill to the Broad Street Clocktower. Knighton LD7 1BL Tel: 01547 528532

Grid Reference SO 286 723

George & Dragon Inn

Dinner: Good evening meals are served in the bar and restaurant at reasonable prices (2 courses £11, 3 courses £15). Alternatively there are other dining establishments in the town.

Tomorrow's lunch: You may purchase in Knighton before departure tomorrow morning, there is a bakery opposite your accommodation. There is a pub, the Crown Inn, just off the Path, at Newcastle on Clun, 7 miles from Knighton, which serves food between 1200hrs and 1500hrs

9 Day 7 Walk Miles Sun 30-Mar Knighton to Cwm 13.60 Please note that today's walk is considered as the toughest section on Offa's Dyke Path with an intial steep climb out of Knighton followed by a series of switchbacks.

Accommodation Directions: Mr and Mrs Higgs You will be collected from the grass island opposite the chapel in Oakley Bed & Breakfast Cwm. Please advise your hosts when you will be ready for collection, Mellington they will be expecting your call before coming to meet you. Montgomery Powys SY15 6TL Tel: 01588 620813

Grid Reference SO 271 911

Collection Point Old Chapel (converted), Cwm

Oakley

Dinner: Mr and Mrs Higgs will cook in-house for you tonight, evening meals are served between 6 - 8pm. 2 courses £16.00pp, 3 courses £19.50pp, payable directly to your hosts before departure. Please would you be kind enough to call 48 hours in advance for menu options and to advise 2 or 3 courses. Tomorrow's lunch: Packed lunches can be provided by your hosts on request. This is recommended as travelling north you will need to come off the path at Montgomery or to find refreshments.

10 Day 8 Walk Miles Mon 31-Mar Cwm to 13.70

Accommodation Directions: David and Jane Emberton Collection from Buttington - Please call your hosts from Buttington and Tynllwyn Farm they will collect you. Your accommodation is located one mile north of Welshpool Welshpool. Powys . SY21 9BW Tel: 01938 553175

Grid Reference SJ 215 085

Tynllwyn Farm

Dinner: You hosts will drop you into Welshpool tonight. Please take care walking back or call Amber Taxis, 01938 556611, if you need a lift back.

Tomorrow's lunch: Your host can provide a packed lunch or there is a Costcutter and garage at Four Crosses, near , 7.5 miles from Buttington.

11 Day 9 Walk Miles Tue 1-Apr Buttington to Trefonen 16.30 Mr Emberton will return you to Buttington.

Accommodation Directions: Mrs Diana Doyle When you enter Trefonen your accommodation is 2 doors up from the Lynstead Lodge post office and village stores. Bellan Lane Trefonen Nr Oswestry Shropshire, SY10 9DX Tel: 01691 657452

Grid Reference SJ 258 266

Dinner: Evening meals are served at The Barley Mow in the village, they also brew their own beer at the Offa's Dyke Brewey!

Tomorrow's lunch: Your hostess is happy to make packed lunches for you or you can purchase provisions (limited) from the village shop (50 yards). There is also a café at Chirk for castle visitors - castle closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

12 Day 10 Walk Miles Wed 2-Apr Trefonen to foot of Castell Dinas Bran 15.80

Accommodation Directions: John Spicer & Heather Petrie Follow the path towards Froncysyllte (page 85 NTG). Unless you do Glasgwm not have a head for heights we suggest you choose to deviate from the Abbey Road path and walk over the spectacular Pont Cysyllte Aqueduct rather than Llangollen take the lower route (ODP). Denbighshire LL20 8SN On arrival at the foot of Castell Dinas Bran (please note the cattle Tel: 01978 861975 grid and bench) please ring your hosts for collection (there is not a telephone box here so if you do not have a mobile you will need to call from Trefor (2.5 miles before Castell Dinas Bran).

Grid Reference SJ 214 423

Foot of Castell Dinas Bran

Glas Gwm

Dinner: Your hosts are happy to cook an evening meal in-house (approx costs, £14.50 for 2-course meal, £18.50 for 3-courses). If you would like to take up this offer please ring them 24 hours notice - the food has been recommended by other walkers. Other good eating places in Llangollen are the Gales Wine Bar in Bridge Street for atmosphere and The Corn Mill in Dee Lane for above average pub/bistro food. Tomorrow's lunch: Your hosts are happy to provide packed lunches (£5.50) as there is no where to purchase on the path tomorrow. If you wish to purchase in town we suggest you visit Spa which is 10 minute walk from the B&B.

13 Day 11 Walk Miles Thu 3-Apr Castell Dinas Bran to Clwyd Gate 14.50 Mr Spicer will return you to Castell Dinas Bran.

Accommodation Directions: Jim and Julie Dolan You will be collected from Clwyd Gate (Motel - now closed) and taken The Druid Inn directly to your accommodation. Please call ahead to advise arrival Ruthin Road time. Llanferres Denbighshire CH7 5SN Tel: 01352 810225

Grid Reference SJ 188 605

Clwyd Gate

Dinner: A table has been booked in the restaurant for this evening.

Tomorrow's lunch: Your hosts can provide packed lunches as there is nowhere to purchase provisions tomorrow. Please advise them if you require packed lunches.

14 Day 12 Walk Miles Fri 4-Apr Clwyd Gate to Rhuallt 16.00 Mr Dolan will return you to the path this morning.

Accommodation Directions: Mr & Mrs M Simpson Transfer to Prestatyn: I have arranged for Vale Private Hire, 01824 Plas Ifan Chapel 790 485 , to collect you from Rhuallt. Please call them when you 17 Ffordlas get to Bodfari (4.3 miles / 6.9 km) before Rhuallt) to agree a Prestatyn collection time. They will be expecting your call around 4 - 5pm. Denbighshire They will have to drive approx 30 minutes before they get to you. LL19 9SG Tel: 01745 887883

Grid Reference SJ 074 827

Train station Plas Ifan Chapel

Dinner: There are pubs and restaurants within 100yds of your accommodation. Menus are available in the guest house

Day 13 Sat 5-Apr Departure Day

Mr Simpson will drop you at Prestatyn train station, please advise him what time your train departs. Wishing you a smooth onward journey. I hope you have really enjoyed your walk along Offa's Dyke Path.

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