Offa’s Country- West Shropshire and East Powys

We base this holiday at Montgomery – once county town of Montgomeryshire- a lovely setting for walking the borderlands between England and Wales.

Our hotel is the Dragon in the market square- a half timbered building and a hotel for decades.  Welcoming, homely yet efficiently run by its local owners. Comfortable lounges and a well stocked bar. Every room is different too. There is a swimming pool on site for your use.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner at the hotel. We will try to stop at one of our lovely country pubs at lunch time but it may aslo be a packed lunch.

We start walking on Sunday afternoon at 2.30pm- a short two hour walk to enable you to get to know each other and ourselves.

Four day walks of between 9 and 11 miles and on the first afternoon a lovely get to know you walk around the town and surrounding countryside.

We will finish at about 3.30pm on the last day.

Montgomery, in Welsh, Trefaldwyn, meaning “The Town of Baldwin”  is a small town with a big history. The town of nearly 1,300 people is situated in the Welsh Marches, (the lands along the English and Welsh border) and Iron Age Celts, the Romans, the Saxons, the Normans, the English Civil War and many other historical forces all left their mark here.

Fast forward to the 21st century and Montgomery, a Georgian gem, is tucked away from the madding crowds, but just 3 miles from the A483. With its medieval street layout, imposing Town Hall, mix of Georgian, Victorian and timber framed buildings and an active and generous community, it’s a place where time seems to stand still. And, with a wealth of comfortable and friendly places to stay, as well as to eat and drink, you can be sure of a warm welcome in the town.

Tickle your taste buds in one of the town’s quaint cafes selling delicious homemade cakes and locally made produce. Alternatively, dine at the hotel with its award-winning bistro restaurant or opt for a tasty bar meal served with a local beer. No time to stop? Then pick up some crispy fish ‘n chips on the go. And – if you fancy a tipple – we can do that too! Montgomery is blessed with a brewery, vineyards and local cider producers.

Fancy a little retail therapy? Then take a stroll around the local shops offering gifts, fashion, home interior wares, books and flowers. Oh, and we have a traditional ironmonger too selling everything you could ever need. A must-see attraction in its own right – you’ll travel back in time when you step through the door.

The Welsh Marches – the land we walk on this holiday

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What are the Welsh Marches?

The Welsh Marches is an area that lies along the border between the countries of England and Wales, roughly between the Welsh mountains and English rivers. These borderlands don’t have an official or legal status today. The region is very picturesque; made up of mountains, rivers and valleys, quaint villages and many castles. The marches have the largest number of motte-and-bailey castles in Britain.

Why are the Welsh Marches so called?

The term, “Welsh March”, known in Latin as ‘Marchia Wallie’, comes from the Middle Ages, when “march” or “mark” was the word for a borderland or a border between two different countries/states or zones. The word “mark” comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘mearc’ which meant boundary. The Lords who oversaw the marches were known as Marcher Lords.

Where are the Welsh Marches?

The Welsh Marches refers to the English counties that are along the border to Wales, like Shropshire and Herefordshire. At one time the Marches included Cheshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire as well. The Welsh Marches has the largest collection of castles than anywhere else in the UK. Some historic sites you can find include Ludlow Castle, Stokesay Castle, Hopton Castle, Wigmore Castle and Shrewsbury Castle.

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What was the strategic importance of the Welsh Marches?

The Marches were used as a political tool in that they gave warning in case of a military uprising or acted as an area to check on trade between the two countries. The March Lords were able to build their own castles without permission from the King and create their own taxes for the people living in the area. The Welsh Marches became a powerful tool in the ruling of England over Wales.

What is the history of the Welsh Marches?

After the fall of the Roman rule over Britain, Wales was not the country it is known as today. Instead, it was made up of lots of small kingdoms. Each ruled by their own Prince.

Mercia, which is now known as the Midlands in England, ruled by a seventh century King called Penda, created a strong alliance with the Welsh rulers. However, after Penda’s death, his successors wanted to expand Mercia into the west. Under the leadership of King Offa, market towns like Shrewsbury and Hereford created the first barricade, Offa’s Dyke. This Dyke became a frontier between England and Wales, and can still be seen near today’s border.

King William, after the Norman Conquest, had three of his most trusted men placed in Shrewsbury and Hereford to help maintain the Welsh border and contain the Welsh people. The amount of March Lords increased over the years; raiding areas of Wales and then fortifying it against attack, giving more land to their supporters.

The March Lords created their own independent area with their own laws. By the 12th century, the marches, covered about two thirds of Wales. Hundreds of castles were built in the area by Norman lords. New towns were established in south Wales including Ludlow, Chepstow and Monmouth, but the Welsh people kept attacking and supporting rebellions against the Normans.

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The Council of Wales and the Marches was started in 1472 by Edward IV, and run from Ludlow Castle. Their job was to govern the lands for the English crown.

Ludlow is a historic town that is in the centre of the Welsh border. Due to having its own castle and the size of the town, it became the authoritative capital of the Welsh Marches. This importance helped grow Ludlow’s wealth, which can still be seen today in the beautiful homes and buildings which would house many Lords and Councillors. In 1542 the Council gained more of its own powers, following on from the death of Edward IV, being now responsible for all of Wales as well as the Welsh Marches. In 1689 the Council was terminated, following William III’s claim to the throne. There was little resistance from the people, but this also led to Ludlow Castle no longer being used and falling into disrepair.

The Welsh Marches Today

Also known as just the Marches, they are used to describe the English counties along the border of Wales, including Shropshire and Herefordshire. It can also be applied to Powys, Monmouthshire and Wrexham. The Marches has a railway track, called the Welsh Marches Line, that runs from Newport in south Wales up to Shrewsbury, linking the south of Wales to the northwest region of England. 

Many tourists take the Welsh marches route for the landmarks, cities and towns that feature along the way. These include:

• Hereford – an ancient Cathedral city, which also has a covered market, Cathedral Green, Norman arches and the 14th-century Mappa Mundi “Map of the World,” the largest medieval chained library in Europe.
• Ludlow – Offa’s Dyke is near the town, as well as the once powerful Wigmore Castle.Ludlow also has a market, which sells many types of food, and has a lot of historical buildings still intact and being used. There’s also Ludlow Castle, former home of the Council of the Marches.
• Shrewsbury – a town that is very rooted in its countryside and farming traditions, it still has a lot of medieval street and architectural features, with over 650 listed buildings. There’s also parks, Shrewsbury Abbey and Shrewsbury Castle.
• Ironbridge Gorge – the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, with 10 museums and the world’s first iron bridge.
• Wroxeter – the third-largest Roman city in Britain, once called Viroconium.
• Llangollen – a Welsh market town set in the mountains, it annually hosts a famous International Musical Eisteddfod.
• Chester – Another cathedral city that was originally a Roman fort in 79 AD. Also, one of the most walled cities in Britain.

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