Walking with Offa 8: Border Country & A Taste of Offa’s Dyke

Walk directions

1. Step 1

   Start at The Crown, Newcastle on Clun, SY7 8QL
   Turn right out of the Crown and immediately proceed right along ‘West Road’. Turn left into ‘Mill Road’ and at the T-junction (primary school now on your left) turn right. This road heads out of the village with houses mainly now just to the left and after around ½ mile you reach the graveyard on the left followed by the church.
   Its curious revolving lych-gate is worth a look. Continue along the road, which bends to the right, and take the first lane on the left at ‘Quarry House’.

2. Step 2

   The lane climbs steeply and soon bears sharply left where you go straight ahead through the gate and onto the wide stony track, now crossing Offa’s Dyke. Keeping straight continue on through another gate and uphill in the same direction along the farm track. Wonderful views of the Clun Valley.

3. Step 3

   After about ¼ mile, where this track bears up to the left, go straight on as indicated by a marker post and through a gate/stile. You will see a substantial stone ruin on your left. Follow this enclosed track for around 1 mile, bearing left around half way, to eventually reach a house on the left called ‘The Graig’. Here the track briefly joins a  tarmac lane and very soon you need to take the grassy bridleway that bears off up to the left. 

4. Step 4

   Continue through the gate into the enclosed track and on through another gate. Here the track opens out to follow the hillside round, enjoying good views towards Mardu and Three Gates. Eventually you will meet a fork in the track, with a stile on the left and the roof of Bridge Farm can be visible ahead.
   ALTERNATE ROUTE
   Here you have a choice. The Offa’s Dyke Path is quite challenging with a steep climb and even steeper descent. A less challenging route, particularly in poor conditions, is
   to continue straight on through the gate at Bridge Farm and onto the tarmac lane. Turn left and steadily climb up the lane for just less than half a mile, keep left and straight on at the junction, and then descend half a mile to ‘Quarry House’ and re-trace your steps from point 1 back to Newcastle (please note this route is not way-marked but relatively easy to follow).

5. Step 5

   For the main route you now bear up left and then straight on following the Offa’s Dyke National Trail, way marked by the acorn symbol. Cross the stile and continue on the well-trodden path as it climbs through trees on to reach a few steps and through a wooden kissing gate. Stay on the higher bank and head on through another kissing gate. This is the highest point on the walk and your hard work is rewarded with some stunning scenery! Now carefully pick your way down this very steep bank, following the Offa’s Dyke Path.

6. Step 6

   Head through the metal gate and straight on. Ashort climb along the bank ignoring the trodden path left but head straight on the grassy bank and through a wooden kissing gate. Here you reach a special fingerpost marking the mid point of the 177 mile Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail that runs from Prestatyn to Chepstow.
   Proceed down the bank and on reaching the gates on the right exit onto the tarmac lane, bear left and down to ‘Quarry House’ and retrace your steps from point 1 back
   to Newcastle.