Trailblazer guidebooks provide practical information on specific routes… in less accessible parts of the world.
- Wanderlust
Offa's Dyke Path: Prestatyn to Chepstow
by: Keith Carter
UPDATES
Latest information
Walkers along the Offa's Dyke Path are a relatively rare breed, which means that at some times of year you could walk for miles without seeing another soul. Perhaps because of this, the level of change in terms of places to stay and eat in the region seems to be greater than in other parts of Britain. It is also worth noting that not all B&Bs put up a sign on the roadside advertising their presence.
Thank you to all the readers who sent in the following updates including Jackie Ager, Alex Hill, Rosemary Hunter
Page 118 - Llanymynech: The Manse under new ownership
The Manse has a new phone number - 01691 831075, a website: www.stayatthemanse.co.uk and has earned a four-star rating from Visit Wales. It's 400 yards from Offa's Dyke Path and has three en-suite rooms (£35 for one person, £50 for two). There's a drying area for wet clothes and pickups and packed lunches can be arranged.
pp.121-122 In Four Crosses (Powys), the Four Crosses Inn (tel: 01691 830 184) is opposite the Spar supermarket. They offer camping on an informal basis.
Cattle. There is a lot of cattle in the fields and pastures through which the path passes especially in the Shropshire/Powys border stretch, and in August calves were present. There is some information about safety precautions in the guide.
Page 124 Pool Quay
The Powis Arms (tel 01938 590255) reopened in August 2007 under the new ownership of Mr and Mrs Jones. Rosemary Hunter found it a most hospitable, welcoming, lively place. The bedrooms were wonderful, soap, shower gel, shampoo, TV, etc. Service was excellent and food really good. Hostess was most helpful, pleasant, delivered the luggage too. It is the hub of the community. Several couples came for evening meal and local musicians and singers played and sang non-stop, great, live music, did requests too! Could join in. The owners work hard to make visitors welcome, comfortable and leave refreshed. She enjoyed her short stay.
Page 132 Heath Cottage Forden
The email address has changed since publication in 2007. Here is the new email address heathcottagewales@tiscali.co.uk
Phone number 01938580453
Page 138 - Blue Bell Pub open
One place that has not changed, however, is the Blue Bell pub at Brompton Crossroads (see p138 of the guide). The pub continues to serve customers, as it has done for over 150 years, and we apologise for our mistake in stating that the pub was closed.
Map and page 31
No campsites at Redbrook (map only) Llangattock-lingoed (map and p.31) Gladestry (p.31) Nant Mawr (p.31) and I was told the one at Chepstow (p.31) was closed, though I didn't attempt to stay there.
Hay-on-Wye
Clifton House B&B and Camping no longer available.
Ashfield Stores in Llanmynech closed last year.
Most stiles in Monmouthshire have been or are being replaced by metal clang gates - not so nice to look at, but lovely for an old lady with a big rucksack - also some around Wrexham area.
Sodom
Some mighty big hills around Sodom - especially in S-N direction that don't seem to have warranted even a single steepness arrow. That long road that goes on for ever is one big hill!
Page 160 - Kington. Bell Cottage, Church Road is no longer offering camping but the owner has moved to 9 Duke Street, Kington, Herefordshire where she runs a camp-site for tents only. Offers the same services: camping (with shower) £5 per person per night, breakfast £4.50pp and clothes washing & drying at £4 per load. Esther Rolls Tel 01544 231182 Mobile 07817 622337
