Clips
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Trefin to Pwll Deri walk
This epic 10.5 mile coastal trek begins in the picturesque village of Trefin in north Pembrokeshire - roughly half way between St David's in the south and Fishguard to the north.
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Derek was joined on the walk by Gwenno Dafydd - an author, actress and singer who grew up in the nearby village of Harmony.
Along the way you'll pass pristine coves and beaches, old ruins and the pretty fishing village of Abercastle.
High up on the hills above Abercastle lies an ancient Neolithic tomb known as Carreg Samson, comprising of a large capstone, measuring 15 feet x 9 feet with seven upright stones.
Legend tells of how Saint Samson once lifted the 15 foot long capstone into place using just one finger!
Moving along the coast you'll arrive at Abermawr, a long, unspoilt, pebbled beach near Melin Tregwynt Mill.
The white-washed woollen mill has stood on this site since the 17th century and famers would originally bring their fleeces here to be spun into yarn and woven into fine Welsh wool blankets.
Nowadays, the mill supplies top end, luxury goods to shops all over the world and is open to the public with a nice cafe and toilets.
Back onto the coastal track now, you'll make you way over high sea cliffs towards the end point at Pwll Dewi hostel with amazing views over Strumble Head lighthouse. -
Churchtown to Montgomery walk
This 7.5 mile linear walk begins in Churchtown and ends in the historic market town of Montgomery with its impressive Georgian town hall and 13th century, hill top castle.
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Derek was joined on this walk by Offa's Dyke expert and local photographer, Jim Saunders.
Around 80 miles of King Offa's 1200 year old dyke can still be seen along the England-Wales border between the Severn Estuary and the North Wales coast.
The dyke is what archaeologists call an earthwork: a bank and ditch which would originally have been around 27 metres wide and eight metres high from top to bottom.
Very impressive when you consider it was all constructed using only crude hand tools!
There are a few steep sections along the route but it's a fairly comfortable walk with a few places to stop and along the way.
As you walk along the spine of the dyke you'll pass by colourful patchwork fields, rolling green hills and hop over plenty of stiles and borders!
Highlights along the way include panoramic views over the Shropshire Hills and a detour to the magnificent Mellington Hall Hotel - an 18th century Gothic mansion which welcomes walkers.
Passing the Bluebell Hotel, you'll see a wonderful old oak tree and some retro petrol pumps - no longer in use.
The dyke then meanders across farmland and fields towards Lymore Park.
Heading towards Montgomery you'll pass the local cricket club - one of the oldest in Britain, dating back to the 1840s.
Montgomery Cricket Club once defeated the All England team here by 62 runs, although they fielded 22 players to England's 11!
From here it's a short stroll into Montgomery town followed by a hike up to the top of Montgomery castle which is definitely worth the effort.
There's not much left of the castle, built here on orders of Henry III in 1223 but the panoramic views from the top are sensational.
Credits
- Presenter
- Derek Brockway
- Producer
- Gareth Rees-Rowlands
- Executive Producer
- Christina Macaulay
