Offa's Dyke Path Day 4 - Pandy to Stone Circle 29 Oct 2015

Offa's Dyke Path, with Bourne Coffee Company - Day 4
Pandy to Stone Circle
Distance 20km Climb 700m
Thursday 29 October 2015

The weather forecast showed that today was going to be wet, well until at least 09.30. Today was the day we walked over the tops and there would be very few places to stop and no places to stop for food. We could hear the rain on my tent at the Baskerville Hall Hotel campsite, as usual it always sounds worse in the tent that what it was outside. Our drive down to the start was wet, David suggested a coffee before we started walking to give the rain a change to blow over, unfortunately we could not find anywhere.  So from the layby Susan picked us up yesterday we set off walking. Crossing the style we set off in the rain, we crossed a small field with a gentle climb, over the Afon Honddu, a small river. 

The path took us up a steep climb to a railway line just as a train came along, loud and near. Safely over the other side our route continued to climb up to a road that took us up through a farm.   

Once passed the farm we turned right through a field full of cows, due to the rain it was very muddy, deep in places, it was not just mud? We headed north west diagonally across the field to a tall mast. We walked passed the mast and onto the road, it was still raining heavy. The hedges on the side of the road gave a little shelter against the wind. At the road junction we turned right and headed downhill. Down the road we passed a number of trees covered in paint? was it for Halloween or graffiti? Anyway we turned up a narrow footpath by a field gate on the left and started climbing.

As the path opened up it turned into a steady steep climb to start with, as the rain was blown into our faces, and the mist hide the views. We reached a wall and followed it up hill for a while before reaching an old hill fort at 332m.

A short stop while David sorted out his map and we started climbing again, we had a few hundred meters of almost level ground near a farm track, and this was where we saw our first wild horses.

I saw a strange mural on a rock within a stone wall.

As we climbed up hill the weather started clearing, the rain stopped and the mist cleared a little allowing clear views back down the way we had walked up.

Soon we approached the first trig point, Hatterrall Hill at 464m where we found a small hollow with a little shelter and had a short rest.

One trig point down, three to go. I told Anne and David what I had learnt from a chap I saw at The Cheviot the other week about trig points. I thought it was interesting. Another short area of almost level walking then we started to climb up hill again.

The path turned to the right slightly as it then turned behind the rise to our left, climbing to a spot height at 531m, The Skirrid was now clear of clouds to our south.

The views also opened up ahead of us, we were making good time and we could see where we were going. We could see the ridge twist ahead down to our left and climb back up to our right.

Our second trig point came on the horizon at Rhiw Arw 552m. (two to go).

The ridge levelled before dropping slightly to the left, the views down the valley were stunning with the autumn colours. In the distance David spotted the sun glinted of the next trig point.

We continued along the route as the path levelled and soon reached the third trig point North Daren at 610m. (One to go).

We then moved through an area where stones had been piled up all along the area, the path was slippery in places as it climbed back up to the top.

In places the path was made up of large stones and in places boards all to help preserve the wear on the peat path environment.

Another short drop and the last climb up to the 703m.

From the top we could see the last trig point Hay Bluff 677m.

From the trig point we moved to the northern edge and looked down on Hay-on-Wye. David at the Baskerville said it was an easy walk from here down to the town but we had planned to meet Susan at the stone circle at the bottom of Hay Bluff.

It was a steep path down Hay Bluff to the stone circle, there were lots of people about. Susan was waiting.

As we had the time we had a drive into Hay-on-Wye and had a look around the town, a very interesting place. Followed by a trip back to the Baskerville Hall Hotel where we had a swim, stretch off our muscles, clean up, then a quick change before going back into Hay-on-Wye for a well deserved meal.

Walking today we had covered 20 km with a 700m climb, a good day walking.

More to follow


Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Offa's Dyke Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to another walk to Hay Bluff.
Follow link to next day, Day 5 Stone Circles to Clyro Brook.
Follow link to previous day Day 3 Lower Hendre to Pandy.

Offa's Dyke Path Day 3 - Lower Hendre to Pandy 28 Oct 2015

Offa's Dyke Path, with Bourne Coffee Company - Day 3
Lower Hendre to Pandy
Distance 20km Climb 250m
Wednesday 28 October 2015

Although we had covered a few miles walking north towards Baskerville Hall Hotel campsite, the time it was taking to travel to our start point each day was not reducing. From our drop off we walked down the road to Hendre Farm. 

The footpath took us across the fields in a north westerly direction. Looking to our left over a high hedge was a field of white cattle.

At the road we turned left, crossing the River Trothy, today we would be crossing or walking by the Trothy for what seemed like most of the day. After a few hundred meters we turned left back into a field, to again walk north west. When we reached the banks of the Trothy we turned west and followed it to Llanfihangel Ystum Llywern and St Michael's church.  

The path took us behind the church and continued west across a field. In the field was a bridge across a small stream, strange it had locks on both sides, but I could not see why? as the cows could cross either side without the bridge.

The weather was getting warmer as we climbed a steep rise and Anne and I had to take off our coats. At the top of the hill we joined a road that headed down hill. After another few hundred meters we turned right into a field which had a notice to walk the edge, which took us up to The Grange. Crossing the road we entered another field with a small rise. The path then dropped down to an orchard.

Once we crossed the orchard we reached another road and turned right. The orchard was for Bulmers Cider. The road took us into Llantilio Crossenny, the map in my guide showed there is a PH in the village so we agreed to have a short rest.

As we crossed the bridge, signs took us by the River Trothy up into the village. We could turn right to the church or left to the pub, so we turned left. What a disappointment the pub is no more. So we moved on.

We crossed another short field and came to a main road. The footpath took us now over a couple of ploughed fields with crops in.

This took us into another ploughed field which previously had potatoes in it, which was steep and hard going. Fortunately the ground was quite dry so we did not end up having thick mud clinging to our boots. Making us about 6 inches taller.

Once across the ploughed fields there was a short drop down the side of a hedge, across to the west we could see the Skirrid, we would see this to the west for most of the day, soon we were at Treadam.

David's map showed that we may get something to drink here. Once we followed the track down to the road we followed the path back up the bank to The Hogs Head. Unfortunately it was closed but Dale the owner soon opened it for us and served us drinks. So we had a short rest and a drink.

Dale had been a milk farmer and due to circumstances he changed direction and set up this watering hole. He had space for weddings and other events and Dale showed us some of the photos. Brilliant, well done Dale.

After our rest we said goodbye to Dale and set off back on the Path north. It did not take us long to reach the White Castle. A sign shows Rudolf Hess was allowed to wander around in this area sightseeing and painting the castle.

Walking around the White Castle we headed down hill.

Looking west we could again see the Skirrid as we headed downhill.

As we approached the road we passed this beautiful coloured tree with its fallen leaves forming a perfect circle of gold, stunning.

On the road we turned right towards Caggle Street and passed a chapel where we could see a lot of work was being done. Our path was just to the right of the chapel.

Once again we were climbing uphill in a north west direction. Following the fence lines we reached another road. Heading north the route took us up the road. After about one km we turned right off the road across a small bridge and we were again climbing a track across a field to Llangattock Lingoed. On our way we passed a couple who said we could get a cup of tea in the church but when we arrived the church was closed. So we turned right walked passed the church and went to the pub, The Hunters Moon Inn, for a drink.

Back on the road we walked about a hundred meters west before turning right along a narrow track that brought us to an open field. Crossing a stream then another climb, it now felt time to put back on our coats.

The light was turning as we crossed field after field, then it started to rain, it almost started the same time as it had yesterday.

Almost as suddenly as it started raining it stopped and the skies cleared. It did not take us long to walk the last couple of fields and walk to the main road.

Susan was waiting in the lay by for us. We decided to eat our evening meal at the Baskerville Hall Hotel as tonight was the weekly acoustic night. What a night it was brilliant entertainment.

In the walk we had covered 20 km with approx. 250m climb.

More to follow.


Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Offa's Dyke Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to next day, Day 4 Pandy to Stone Circles.
Follow link to previous day, Day 2 Bigsweir Wood to Lower Hendre.

Offa's Dyke Path Day 2 - Bigsweir Wood to Lower Hendre 27 Oct 2015

Offa's Dyke Path, with Bourne Coffee Company - Day 2
Bigsweir Wood to Lower Hendre
Distance 17km Climb 500m
Tuesday 27 October 2015

Offa's Dyke Path Number 41 on ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks shown on January 2018.

There were patches of mist as we drove from Baskerville Hall campsite but this soon cleared on our way to our start for today's walk. The way the mist just sat in the valley's with the tops of the hills showing clear was stunning, this soon cleared. We left Susan at the car park and started the gentle climb up through the trees. The autumn colours, the reds, browns and gold coloured leaves were brilliant, and cushioned our path.

With the sun shining through the trees made for a lovely day walking. After a couple of km we were walking up by the side of the wood. Where Anne and David, who were just ahead of me, scared a group of deer. It was magnificent watching them run fleet of foot across the countryside, the deer that is not Anne and David. On the ground we could see great gouge marks where we guessed this was from the stags rutting.

The ground started to head downhill as we moved towards Lower Redbrook. Which as the ground became steeper also became more slippery with mud so care had to be taken. Looking below we could see an old railway bridge that the guide shows is now used for another walking route.

At the bottom of the hill we met up with Susan and had a short stop at the Bell Inn for a coffee. Leaving the Bell Inn we walked along the road the short distance back to the Offa's Dyke Path. There was a little confusion over some of the way signs and we started up the wrong path, not to worry it was worth it as we saw a young deer eating apples from a tree, unfortunately it was too quick for me and ran away before I could take its picture with pieces of apple falling out of its mouth.

We returned to the road by the side of the church and headed up the correct path. The path climbs at first and turns left where it joins a road, turning right on the road we started a steady climb and we passed a number of large houses, one even had its own boating lake. The guide says join the signed path on the left, watch out as the path is not marked Offa's Dyke Path but is marked Wyesham and Kymin. The path was steep and leaves made the stones wet and slippery.

After a few hundred meters we joined a country lane that turned to a footpath behind a farm building. Across a few fields we arrived near a car park for the Naval Temple which was a monument to naval admirals by now it was raining. The Naval Temple was very interesting.

After a small rise and less than a hundred meters we reached the Kymin shown as an old banqueting house. Which has fantastic views over the area, even with the rain. You could see in the windows it was ready for Halloween.

A little further along the top was a junction, we took the left hand path down hill through the woods. Following the signs across fields and by a very smart looking horse show jumping area, other fields a small wood and eventually we reached a road that we followed into Monmouth.

The road took us across the bridge, under a bypass passed a big school which has links to the City of London's Haberdashers, into the town.

Into the town we turned left at St Mary's church into a narrow cobbled street. The rain had eased a little.

We entered Agincourt Square where we met Susan and had lunch at The Kings Head a Wetherspoons pub. In Agincourt Square there is a statue for Charles Rolls from Rolls-Royce and a statue of Henry V.

We walked down Monnow Street to the fortified gatehouse on Monnow Bridge.

Across the bridge we turned right at the roundabout.

After a few hundred meters we turned up a road east following the signs which took us onto a road that turned north west passed a few new builds. A sign took us along a muddy track across a number of fields west.

Following the track we climbed a path into King's Wood, we were making good time until we came across a sign showing the path ahead was closed and a diversion was in place. The diversion took us on a forest track around the wood, up and down we went, this track was at least three times if not four times longer than the route we had intended to take.

Anyway we were still making good time, once back on the correct Offa's Dyke Path, we headed down hill, and came out of the wood the track took us by the wood. It was starting to rain as we joined the track which moved across an open field. At the road we turned right and walked a few hundred meters to the corner of Lower Hendre.

It was starting to rain heavier and was dark when Susan arrived. Susan did well to find us on the narrow road we had came out on. In our walk we had covered 17 km with a 500m climb.

More to follow

Boz North

Details correct at time of walking.

If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Offa's Dyke Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.

Follow link to next day, Day 3 Lower Hendre to Pandy.

Follow link to previous day, Day 1 Sedbury Cliffs to Bigsweir Wood.