Offa's Dyke is an earth bank and ditch running virtually the entire length of the borders of England and Wales for a distance of 177 miles between Chepstow in the south and Prestatyn in the north. A national long distance footpath following the course of the dyke was created in the 1970s and has been a popular route for walkers ever since. It passes within about 4 miles of Bishop's Castle, and can be joined conveniently at the isolated hamlet of Mainstone where the path passes alongside the church before following the bank up over the hill.

The dyke is thought to have been constructed by King Offa of Mercia who ruled from 757 to 796, to help the English defend themselves from raids by the Welsh to the west. On the Welsh side runs a ditch, and the height from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the bank is up to 20 feet. Much of the dyke has been eroded over the centuries, but it is nevertheless a prominent feature in the landscape. Parts of it appear to be missing, and it is unclear whether it was ever completed, or indeed how effective it was in defending the border lands.

For more information about the path, the Offa's Dyke Association maintains the Offa's Dyke Centre at Knighton, about half-way along the route.
Try also www.offas-dyke.co.uk for booking accommodation.