Contact guide@walktalkwales.com for more details.
Most people walk Offas Dyke path or the Wye Valley Walk and miss the gems hidden in the villages on the Welsh side of the River Wye.
Duration: 3 days.
Day 1: 1.00pm
Lunch in Penallt
A fascinating walk around the villages of Penallt, Tregagle, and New Mill. A short walk along the river Wye, and a visit to the tiny water fall where the Little people are said to reside, then up to Lone Lane where we will see if you can sense the mystic energy line created by a magi., Across the old stone stiles to Tregagle, ( where the views of the valley and the RiverWye are beautiful) and a visit to a spring and the smiley stone which guards it.
Woodland and valley, rolling hills, countryside and the river are all included in this walk. We visit wells and walk through the grounds of the Argoed House, once visited by literary and philosophical students such as Beatrix Potter, Sidney Webb, Bertrand Russell and Bernard Shaw. Two plays of Shaws are said to be written here – Mrs Warrens Profession and The Man of Destiny.The Argoeds most recent famous owner would be Robert Plant.
We obtain a glimpse of the industrial past of the valley, before makng our way on old tracks to Penallt old church. See the stain glass window of St. James ( because this church was on the pilgrimage route to San Tiago de Compostela). Hear the legend that Joseph of Aramathea brought Jesus here as a child. Walk back down to the river, see the trees that mark a pagan goddess site and have a well deserved drink in the local pub if you wish to end the walk.
Evening meal together.
Day 2: 10.00am
Start at Whitestone Park , just up from Llandogo on the River Wye. Walk through the forest , stopping at the viewpoints to see wonderful views across the valley. Walk in the grounds of Cleddon hall, hear the sad story associated with it and watch out for the ghost still said to appear in the grounds. We walk through woodland on to Trellech , once the largest town in Wales before the plague destroyed it. We visit the ancient Holy Well of St. Ann. People still hang ribbons on the tree here and offer gifts to obtain healing from the waters. Visit Harolds Stones – three standing stones with mystic alignments. See the ancient church of Trellech with some interesting artefacts and stand on the site of the old motte and bailey.
Walk through beautiful countryside up to Beacon Hill with views across to England . Through woodland and back to Cleddon where we see Cleddon Water Falls and follow them down back to Llandogo on the river Wye.
Late afternoon – people can explore Monmouth and/or walk along the river from Monmouth to Redbrook.
Evening meal together.
Day 3: 10.00am
Walk from Bigsweir to Brockweir along Offas Dyke path. Hopefully enjoy spotting the wildlife along the way as well as enjoying the beauty of the river.
At Brockweir we visit the Moravian church. The Moravians were sent here to convert the sinners who as a result of the industrial revolution worked hard all day, shipping tin, millstones, and paper down the river to Chepstow, and drunk hard all evening, resulting in fights and disorder. There is a suggestion that the Moravians knew of Sacred geometry and were linked with the Knights Templars. The church forms a mysterious triangle with St Margarets well and the Abbey at Tintern.
We cross the river at Brockweir to walk to the old Tintern railway station where we see wooden statues of the key figures who have shaped the myths and legends of Wales . We hear their stories, before moving on to the church of St. Michael and up to the old church of Tintern . Hear the sad facts of this old church before walking down to the jewel in the crown the Abbey at Tintern. Explore the Abbey as you wish, knowing you have experienced the history of life along the Wye,in a way most other tourists miss.
Lunch and depart. |
