Cycling Offa's Dyke Country

Bring your own bike and hop aboard the Heart of Wales Railway starting at Shrewsbury or Knighton in the north, or from Swansea, Llandeilo or Llandovery in south Wales. You will find great country towns and villages to visit along the route in this quiet part of central Powys.

There are a number of national cycle routes throughout the area including NCN Route 43 (which passes through Llanwrtyd Wells), Route 825 (Radnor Ring passes through Knighton and Llandrindod Wells) and the NCN Route 8 through Builth Wells and Rhayader.

Please note that if bring your own bicycles on the train, due to limited capacity and to avoid disappointment we recommend you book before you travel to reserve your slot! Train times are for Mondays to Fridays based on timetables from 9 December 2018 to 18 May 2019.

Morning

Take the train from either Swansea or Shrewsbury and head for either Knighton or Llanwrtyd Wells for different cycling locations and cycle hire.

Monday to Friday a train leaves Swansea at 09.34 arriving at Llanwrtyd Wells at 11.19 and Knighton at 12.37. From Shrewsbury, the 10.09 train will get you to Knighton at 10.59 and Llanwrtyd Wells at 12.28.

Wheely wonderful cycling, near Presteigne offers some fantastic self guided cycle tours and you can arrange to have your bicycles delivered to a local railway station of your choice if arranged beforehand.

Offa's Dyke Centre

The Offa's Dyke Centre provides an attractive interactive exhibition for visitors to explore the Dyke, its associated long distance footpath, and the border area in general, through interactive displays and graphic display panels.

Heart of Wales Railway Line

The Heart of Wales Line is one of Britain's favourite rural railways. The line runs for 120 scenic miles from Shrewsbury to Swansea and on this unforgettable journey you will travel through spectacular scenery and bustling market towns.

Radnor Ring at Rhayader/Rhaeadr Gwy

A circular 84 mile route following quiet country lanes, and crossing some of Mid-Wales' most spectacular scenery. For those with mountain-bike skills, there are exciting off-road alternatives.

Wheely Wonderful Cycling Holidays

Wheely Wonderful organise cycling holidays throughout Wales and the borders. Great routes, bikes, accommodation and luggage transfers. Cycling holidays from a 3 day tour of the Welsh borders to an 8 day iconi tour of the whole of Wales.

Lunch

Mid Wales towns offer a great selection of friendly inns, restaurants and cafe's. If you decide to explore Llandrindod Wells on route then make sure you allow time to visit the National Cycle Museum.

Llanwrtyd Wells

Llanwrtyd Wells is the smallest town in Britain. It is also one of the friendliest, having a long history of catering for the many visitors who, today, come to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of the surrounding Cambrian Mountains.

Knighton/Tref-y-Clawdd

Knighton is a Mid Wales Marches town with a remarkable landscape and rich history. Located on the scenic Heart of Wales railway line, it makes a great base to explore the Offa's Dyke Path or Glyndwr's Way National Trails.

Llandrindod Wells

Llandrindod Wells, or 'Landod' as it is known to locals, is the administrative centre of Powys and one of its largest towns. As the name suggests, it owes its origins to the spring waters that were recognised to have healing properties.

National Cycle Museum

Journey through the lanes of cycle history and see bicycles from 1819, such as the Hobby Horse, Boneshakers and Penny Farthings, up to the most modern Carbon Fibre machines of today.

Afternoon

Llanwrtyd Wells is about mid-point on the Heart of Wales line from either Swansea or Knighton direction and offers cyclists a choice of both Road Rides and off-road mountain biking routes.

From Llanwrtyd Wells, there is a return train to Swansea at 16.23 or from Knighton to Shrewsbury at 17.37.

Llanwrtyd Railway Station

Llanwrtyd railway station is on the Heart of Wales Line that runs from Shrewsbury to Swansea.

The Irfon View Road Ride at Llanwrtyd Wells

THE IRFON VIEW ROAD RIDE Distance 14km (8.7m) TimE 1 - 2 hrs

Three Rivers Road Ride at Llanwrtyd Wells

THREE RIVERS ROAD RIDE Distance 30.5 (19m) Time 1.5 - 3hrs

Irfon Forest Off-Road Circuit at Llanwrtyd Wells

IRFON FOREST OFF-ROAD CIRCUIT Distance 24km (I5m) Time 2.5 - 3hrs

Llyn Brianne & The Devil's Staircase at Llanwrtyd Wells

LLYN BRIANNE & THE DEVIL'S STAIRCASE Distance 62km (38.5m) Time 3 - 5 hrs

Evening

From Llanwrtyd Wells, there is a later train back to Swansea at 20.30 or from Knighton at 19.18. For Shrewsbury, the return train from Llanwrtyd Wells is at 20.31 and from Knighton at 21.58.

Offa's Dyke Centre

As a centre for walking activities, Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail. The Wye Valley Walk crosses the Offa's Dyke Path at Hay-on-Wye as does the Severn Way at Pool Quay, and a wide range of shorter walks radiate from Knighton.

The centre caters for the needs of a wide range of visitors, from those taking toddlers to play in the surrounding park and play area, to those exploring the border area by car, cycle or on foot, to education groups studying the history of the area, and particularly that of Offa's Dyke.

The attractive interactive exhibition allows visitors to explore the Dyke, its associated long distance footpath, and the border area in general including:

•The construction of Offa's Dyke
•The Welsh Princes of the Anglo-Saxon period
•The flora and fauna of the area
•Environmental considerations
•The history of Knighton
•The activities required to maintain the Dyke and the Long Distance Footpath

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Contact

Enquiries
Tel: 01547 528753

oda@offasdyke.org.uk

www.offasdyke.org.uk
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Venue

Offa's Dyke Centre

West Street, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1EN

LD7 1EN www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk

Map reference: SO 284724
Lat: 52.34497 Long: -3.05245

The Offa's Dyke Centre in Knighton is found on West Street (B4355) to the north of the town.
Knighton is situated close to the Welsh/English border on the A488 road. It is 14 miles from the A44 and A483 close to Llandrindod Wells and 14 miles from the A49 near Ludlow.
Knighton is on the Heart of Wales railway line with 4 services a day in each direction. There is also additional local public transport in and around the area.

Knighton is part of the Radnor ring cycle path and the NCN route 825.

The Offa's Dyke national trail passes through this town and the Glyndwrs Way national trail begins in this town.

www.traveline-cymru.info

www.sustrans.org.uk

Parking : with charge

Public Transport : 1 mile from Knighton station