On Henry III’s 16th birthday, October 1st 1223, he was given the land to build a new castle at Montgomery to defend English Border lands against the marauding Welsh as Llewelyn ap Gruffydd gained nearby battle successes. A site with long reaching views and more easily defended than the old castle (Hendomen) this also presaged the development of the town of Montgomery, Charter granted 1227, and the layout of the streets much as we see them today.
A momentous occasion to be marked by a Montgomery Medieval Fair and Pageant on SUNDAY October 1st 2023. We have planned most of our lovely walks for Saturday with a theme of Walking With Kings.
There is one short walk on Sunday taking in a Welsh defended castle. Back in time to join in with the food and festivities. See you there
18 miles Strenuous.
Start: 0730 at Montgomery Town Hall.
Hilly terrain but no scrambling involved.
We take the 0730 service bus to Worthen and walk back to Montgomery via the spectacular Stiperstones Ridge and Stapleton Common. Glorious changing views all the way and you can imagine you are part of reserve forces being sent from England to strengthen the garrison at Montgomery Castle!
( Select using booking form below )
KERRY RIDGE AND SKYLINE VIEWS
12 miles Strenuous going.
Start 1000 at Maldwyn Way car park
A short service bus ride to Churchstoke, a level stroll across the Camlad pastures and then you are into some steep progress in order to experience stupendous views from the Kerry Ridge. From there you will be able to fully understand the strategic position of Montgomery Castle with respect to the surrounding hills and river valleys. Return to Montgomery via verdant upland dingles, old tracks and the Town Hill above Montgomery where there are 360 degree panoramic views.
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DINGLE, VALES AND RIDGES
12 miles moderately Strenuous going.
Start 1000 at Maldwyn Way car park.
Cross the Vale of Montgomery to the Dingle at Marrington which was formed in the Ice Age and is a beautiful valley carrying the Camlad river. Access higher ground via attractive deciduous woodland and experience the lovely views back to Montgomery. Cross the Camlad to visit a ‘Farmyard’ castle mound which was most likely built along with two others in Montgomery Vale to allow a fortification for refuge against Welsh raiding parties. Continue back to Montgomery via lovely lowland pastures.
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CEFN-Y-COED HILLS RAMBLE
9 miles, Moderate but hilly going.
Start 1030 at Maldwyn Way car park
Experience the upland sheep hills of Wales. Leave Montgomery by the Town Hill with 360 degree views and then explore old tracks, wooded valleys, sheep ‘lawns’ and of course lovely views. You will be crossing the hills just west of Montgomery that the Castle forces would have been surveying to espy the ‘marauding’ Welsh.
( Select using booking form below )
OFFA'S DYKE NORTH OF MONTGOMERY
4 Miles, easy going.
Start 1000 at Maldwyn Way car park.
Catch a service bus to Forden where we join Offa’s Dyke National Trail and then walk back to Montgomery. Except for one relatively steep but short descent the walk is predominantly level. Experience the verdant Montgomery Vale with good views of the surrounding hills. Echoes of King Offa’s 8th century Mercian Dyke patrol on the look out for Welsh cattle rustlers.
( Select using booking form below )
THE WELSH CASTLE
5 miles, Moderately Strenuous.
Start 1000 at Abermule Village.
Starting from Abermule Community Centre car park we will explore the beautiful lumpy hills north of the Severn and take in Dolforwyn Castle that was built by the Welsh to directly challenge the English Montgomery Castle. The walk will also pass through the Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust’s Dolforwyn Woods Nature Reserve.
( Select using booking form below to be placed onto our ‘Reserve List’ for this popular walk.. )
Note: Unfortunately Dogs are not allowed on our routes as walks cross through farm land and around farm houses. Please also respect the Walkers Code