The Trail
The trail follows the route of Wat’s Dyke using public footpaths and quiet country lanes for a distance of 61m/99km between Llanymynech, close to the Powys/Shropshire border as far as 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.
From Llanymynech, the Wat’s Dyke Way follows the Montgomery Canal to Maesbury.
From here the trail follows public footpaths and lanes close to the remains of the Dyke as far as the market town of Oswestry which is dominated by a Celtic Hill Fort.
North of Oswestry the Dyke followed what are now the A5/A483 to and beyond the River Dee. This necessitated a diversion in the route which now goes through the Gobowen and the St Martins area where there is a wealth of mining history and
North of Oswestry the Dyke followed what are now the A5/A483 to and beyond the River Dee. This necessitated a diversion in the route which now goes through the Gobowen and the St Martins area where there is a wealth of mining history and
archaelogy
The River Dee is crossed at Overton Bridge in Erbistock. The route then goes across country to rejoin the Dyke south of Ruabon. It now passes through an area with a rich industrial heritage going back to the industrial revolution and beyond. South of Wrexham is the National Trust Property of Erddig Hall and the Information Centre of the Bersham Trail. The route passes through the town of Wrexham taking in the grave of ElihuYale, founder of Yale University. Yale College in the town is also named after him.
The River Dee is crossed at Overton Bridge in Erbistock. The route then goes across country to rejoin the Dyke south of Ruabon. It now passes through an area with a rich industrial heritage going back to the industrial revolution and beyond. South of Wrexham is the National Trust Property of Erddig Hall and the Information Centre of the Bersham Trail. The route passes through the town of Wrexham taking in the grave of ElihuYale, founder of Yale University. Yale College in the town is also named after him.
North of the
town the route returns to pastoral countryside going via a deep valley to the
Alyn Waters Country Park and the twin villages of Hope and Caergwrle, the
latter with its imposing castle. The next important industrial
heritage area is the town of Buckley
with its associations with the clay pot and brick industry. After passing
through the village
of Sychdyn the Trail
leaves the line of the Dyke to take in the a second impressive Celtic hill fort
at Rhosesmor. This is on Halkyn Common, which in itself has an industrial
heritage going back to the days of the Romans.
After crossing the A55 the path passes near to Flint with its Castle and associations with Richard III. The section of the Dyke in this area is impressive. It goes through a minor watershed and towards the town of Holywell. Holywell and the Greenfield Valley also have a long Historical and industrial heritage. The town takes its name from the nearby St Winefride’s Holy Well; one of the Seven Wonders of Wales and known to many as the Lourdes of Wales because of it’s alleged healing powers. The water from this well in turn was the source of the power for the development of the cotton and wool industries in the Greenfield valley in the early 18th Century.
At the northern end of the Greenfield valley is Basingwerk Abbey, a 12th century Cistercian monastery which marks the end of the Wat’s Dyke Way.
Below is a sketch map showing the route. For a GPS map of the route, click the link below: www.gps-routes.co.uk/routes/home.nsf/RoutesLinksWalks/wats-dyke-way-heritage-trail-walking-route Photos of Llanymynech lime kilns, River Dee at Overton and Caergwrle Castle by Lorna Jenner Photos of the Clwydian hills from Moel y Gaer, Rhosesmor and Basingwerk Abbey by Pete Lewis |
A guidebook to the trail, entitled Wat’s Dyke Way Heritage Trail has been written by keen walking enthusiast, Pete Lewis and although he's had a hand in producing several others, this is his first solo publication.
The 127-page guide, published by Alyn Books, includes a brief history of Wat’s Dyke, a map of the route, a detailed description of the trail and a section explaining how to use the guide plus four circular walks off the trail. The guide is illustrated with photographs of places of interest along and close to the route as well as illustrations of historic interest. The guidebook will not only assist in your route finding it will also add tremendously to their enjoyment of the experience.
The book costs £5.99 + postage and packing and can be purchased from Mold Bookshop telephone 01352 759879 or via their website which is www.moldbookshop.co.uk.
The 127-page guide, published by Alyn Books, includes a brief history of Wat’s Dyke, a map of the route, a detailed description of the trail and a section explaining how to use the guide plus four circular walks off the trail. The guide is illustrated with photographs of places of interest along and close to the route as well as illustrations of historic interest. The guidebook will not only assist in your route finding it will also add tremendously to their enjoyment of the experience.
The book costs £5.99 + postage and packing and can be purchased from Mold Bookshop telephone 01352 759879 or via their website which is www.moldbookshop.co.uk.