Offa's Dyke Path

Art, poetry and music inspired by Offa's Dyke Path

Offa’s Dyke Path wends its way through stunning landscapes on the edges of England and Wales, between Chepstow on the River Severn to Prestatyn on the North Wales coast.

The Path is inspired by, and closely follows, Offa’s Dyke for roughly 40 miles of its length. Dating back to the 8th century, the iconic earthwork monument of Offa’s Dyke stands up to eight metres high and was built on the command of King Offa as a divide between the two kingdoms. You can find out more about the Offa’s Dyke Ancient Monument by visiting the Offa’s Dyke Association website and visitor centre.

Today, on its journey from sea to sea, the Path weaves through the rolling valleys, heather-clad mountains and leafy woodlands of eight counties and three National Landscapes (The Wye Valley, The Shropshire Hills and The Clwydian Range & Dee Valley), as well as the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The panoramic views available throughout have led to international acclaim – it was even named one of the world’s greatest walks by Lonely Planet. The Path takes hikers through traditional rural towns and hamlets, home to cosy pubs, stunning landscapes and innumerable heritage hotspots. This rich diversity is why Offa’s Dyke Path remains one of Britain’s iconic long distance walking routes.

Art, poetry and music

The beauty of Offa’s Dyke Path has inspired artists for decades. As part of the celebrations for the 50^th anniversary of Offa’s Dyke Path artist Dan Llewelyn Hall produced a series of works inspired by the trail, called Walking with Offa. Associated with Walking with Offa a bilingual publication was produced featuring 14  poems by leading Welsh poets including, Poet Laureate of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn.  You can find out more about Dan Llywelyn Hall’s Walking with Offa / Cerdded Gydag Offa on the Offa’s Dyke Association website.

Six of the poems have been turned into a series of short films. These can be enjoyed on the Offa’s Dyke Path Facebook page.

The trail has also inspired music. One of the country’s finest harpists, Professor David Watkins composed a piece especially for Offa’s Dyke Path. The video shows Professor Watkins playing a Welsh sonata.

If you still need to be convinced about the inspirational beauty of Ofa’s Dyke Path then we thoroughly recommend watching Wonders of the Border on ITV X. Sean Fletcher, of Countryfile and Good Morning Britain fame) visits special people and places all along the trail.

You can also share you love of the trail, and see what others say about it through the Offa’s Dyke Path facebook page and the Long Distance Walkers Association, whose members shared their memories which were made into a leaflet.

And of course the best way to find out what it is really like is to get out there and experience it first hand. You never know you might also be inspired to write a poem or create a work of art.

Delayed opportunity to fulfil New Year’s resolutions!!

The sun is coming out – so get walking on your favourite National Trail – or explore a new one!

After all of the recent storms many of the Trails have had problems – and in any case who but the hardiest walker would want to have been outside??  But the weather is improving as we move towards Spring so the Trail officers have been out making sure that routes are passable and safe (or there are appropriate diversions in place).  So please be aware of the fact that you need to make sure you are appropriately dressed and allow time to take account of any temporary diversions. We want you to enjoy these iconic routes and the special places through which they pass – so get those galoshes out and plan your next walk!