Planning a weekend walk? From gentle circular trails to more strenuous climbs, there are a number of walking trails that run through the Estate. These routes are along the public footpaths, offering stunning views and historic landscapes. We welcome you to come and explore them.
For a shorter walk, we suggest the Offa’s Dyke Circular. This four-mile walking trail takes around two hours and leads you down fields and peaceful country lanes. Most of the walk is through the late 17th-century landscaped park of Lymore Park, with a prominent section of Offa’s Dyke forming the boundary.
There once stood a magnificent timbered mansion at Lymore. Built in 1675, it was demolished in 1931, after succumbing to dry rot and being too costly to repair and maintain. What remains today are many ancient trees, with dating suggesting they were planted at the time of the building of the house, as well as a number of pools. One of the pools is a circular decoy pond with inlets, designed to attract and catch ducks and wildfowl by trapping them in the netted inlets. The park is listed on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
Offa’s Dyke is a defensive earthwork generally assumed to have been built by King Offa in the 8th Century. A scheduled ancient monument where it’s visible, it often coincides with the present-day border between England and Wales. The Offa’s Dyke Path is a 177-mile walking route that starts from the Severn Estuary and ends in Prestatyn. Six and a half miles of this national trail run through the Estate, and a great example of the ditch and bank can be experienced on this circular walking trail from Montgomery.
Distance: 6.5km (4 miles)
Duration: About 2 hours
Accessibility: Setting off from a car park. Mostly flat with 11 stiles to cross. Along field paths, an estate drive and a quiet country lane.
Facilities: In the town of Montgomery, there are two popular cafes, Castle Kitchen and Ivy House Cafe, and also the Dragon Hotel, which all offer refreshments and toilets.
Download the trail map here.
Looking for a moderately easy walking trail near the Welsh border? This wildlife walk along the rocky terrain of Stapeley Common is an opportunity for a nature walk with spectacular views over the historic landscape of Shropshire, whilst taking in a whole complex of bronze age sites. We’d recommend choosing a clear day to fully appreciate the 360-degree views.
Stapeley Common sits atop a sacred hill with visible evidence of bronze-aged activity. From Mitchell’s Fold Stone Circle, you’ll be able to see furrows from prehistoric farming, two cairns at the top and a standing stone called the Cow Stone. Stapeley Hill is 403 metres high and has far-reaching views to Corndon Hill in the south, the Welsh mountains to the west and the Stiperstones ridge in the east. It’s a spectacular site to take in the unspoilt rich historic landscape of the area.
Mitchell’s Fold is the remains of a Bronze Age stone circle originally thought to have been made up of 30 stones, of which 15 remain today. A truly atmospheric site and easily accessible from the little car park just outside the village of Priest Weston. It’s the starting point for a number of walks you can take on Stapeley Hill, and it’s worth a visit whether part of a longer walking trail.
Distance: Up to 2.5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Accessibility: Moderate walk with rocky stone tracks, some inclines and moorland.
Facilities: Car park near Priest Weston. Refreshments and food can be found in Chirbury at Chirbury Cafe and Post Office, approximately three miles away.
Exploring the public rights of way across Powis Estates is a chance to step into the heart of stunning Welsh countryside, all walking trails offering a unique connection to the landscape. By respecting the land and following waymarked routes, visitors can enjoy the best of what the Estate has to offer, whilst ensuring the people of tomorrow can enjoy it too. So lace up your boots, take a deep breath of fresh country air, and discover the beauty of Powis Estates on foot.