The trail follows the route of Wat’s Dyke and goes between Llanymynech in Shropshire to Basingwerk Abbey, within a stone’s throw of the River Dee estuary near Holywell in Flintshire.
From Llanymynech, the Wat’s Dyke Way follows the Montgomery Canal to Maesbury.
Please note – As of 2023 there is a reroute between Weston and Maesbury. See Wats Dyke Way – Reroute Maesbury to Weston Map and Wat’s Dyke Way Reroute Description for details.
For more information on the entire route and about the guide book please go to the Wat’s Dyke Way website.
The lime kilns at Llanymynech
The route goes through the heritage site at Llanymynech. More details about this can be found on the Llanymynech Limeworks heritage site page.
From here the trail follows public footpaths and lanes close to the remains of the Dyke as far as the Oswestry which is dominated by a Celtic Hill Fort. For more information about what to do in and around Oswestry click on this link www.visitoswestry.co.uk
North of Oswestry the trail goes through the Gobowen and the St Martins area where there is a wealth of mining history and archaeology.
The River Dee
The River Dee is crossed at Overton Bridge in Erbistock. The route then goes across country to rejoin the Dyke south of Ruabon, then carries on to Wrexham and beyond.
Wat’s Dyke
There is much confusion around the origin of Wat’s Dyke, with speculation about who built it and when. To learn about these theories please visit the website of the Wat’s Dyke Association.