Explore the Area
The great outdoors
Offa’s Dyke & Glyndwr’s Way and cycle routes
The area around Knighton, Powys is perfect for outdoor activities such as walking or cycling:
- There are 32 cycling routes in the area. Knighton, is a designated ‘Cycle Break Centre’ selected for it’s ‘access to some of the loveliest day cycling in Wales while staying in welcoming holiday areas’ Discover hundreds of miles of National Cycle Network across the Welsh / English border.
- Knighton is unique in Wales in that two National Trails meet – Offa’s Dyke Path and Glyndwr’s Way. The availability of two National Trails is just a small indication of walking the opportunities in the area. Click on the links below to discover the top 6 walking trails in and around the Knighton area.
Offa’s Dyke Centre
Visit the Offa’s Dyke centre in the town for information, maps and gifts as well as a tearoom serving coffee, cake and ice-cream. Pick up walking and cycling guides for the area to make the most of your stay at The Quabbs.
The Long Myndd, Stiperstones and the Shropshire Hills
If you want to further a little further afield a great place for walking is the Long Myndd
Take your pick here – history, walking or cycling
At the heart of the Shropshire Hills lies the Long Mynd with the rocky outcrops of the Stiperstones to the west. Visually, these two ‘hills’ are very different – the Long Mynd is a large and long plateau, while the rugged outline of the Stiperstones ridge is unmistakable. Together, they make up the largest area of heathland in the Shropshire Hills. Come late summer these hilltops are a sea of purple and not to be missed. Along with the heather a variety of other plants flourish here including bilberry (known locally as whinberry), and this in turn attracts many insects and birds – look out for a green hairstreak butterfly or stonechat on the gorse.
Knighton Market Town (Tref Y Clawdd)
Knighton is a beautiful, yet quaint market town located in the heart of the Mid Wales Marches. The name Knighton translates as Tref-y-Clawdd, which means Town on the Dyke and refers to the fact the Knighton is the only town to be built on Offa’s Dyke. Knighton offers a range of independent shops and cafes.
Knighton Community Market is held in the Community Centre hall on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 9.30am to 12.30pm, with ample parking just yards away. Fruit and vegetables, meat, bread and cakes are on offer, together with a wide variety of interesting crafts.
Knighton Livestock Market
Each Thursday, without fail, Knighton livestock market has its sheep sales (and twice monthly cattle sale). This weekly / fortnightly event has been happening for hundreds of years, it draws in farmers from across the region due to its setting within an enviable location for sheep rearing. Farmers are able to trade, meet, swap stories and all see one of the few female auctioneers in the UK preside over the sales.
The Spaceguard Centre
The Spaceguard Centre is a working observatory, and the main source of information about near Earth objects in the UK.
Sited at the top of a hill, the Spaceguard Centre observatory is located near Knighton in mid-Wales with outstanding panoramas in all directions and a clear 360 degree horizon over both Herefordshire and Shropshire in England, and Powys Wales.
The Spaceguard Centre Director Jonathan R Tate, was a serving Army Officer for 26 years, specialising in surface to air missile systems. In January 1997 Tate established Spaceguard UK, which is now the largest independent Spaceguard organisation in the world. This is a must-see and recommended for all – not just space ‘geeks’
Further Afield
Ludlow
Pop over the border into England. Visit Ludlow; it has so much to offer. It’s known as the ‘foodie capital’ of the region, it has history in abundance, castles, architecture and spectacular scenery. It’s a must visit on your stay with us. It’s about an 18 mile trip from The Quabbs. The castle is a spectacle as are the shops, cafes and high-end restaurants. Set in an areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty – it won’t disappoint.
Further Afield
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is 34 miles north east of Knighton. It is a sizeable medieval town full of character and history. Located on the River Severn its quaint centre boasts big name stores with smaller, unique and independent shops and cafés. The cobbled steep and winding streets are made for exploring and getting lost in.
Further Afield
Black & White Villages Trail
The Black and White Villages Trail is a self-guided circular driving route through northern Herefordshire, taking in some of the most picturesque villages in the county plus the historic market towns of Leominster and Kington. The route covers roughly 40 miles and makes for a wonderful day’s excursion. With attractive streams and rivers, picture-book settlements, curious buildings, superb tearooms, pubs, restaurants, galleries and scenic views
You can pick up a Trail leaflet at local businesses and tourist information centres across the region, or simply follow the brown tourist signs marked with the symbol of a timber-framed building. Pack a picnic and explore.
‘Black and White’ refers to the large number of picturesque timber-framed buildings that have survived in this peaceful rural area. Age-blackened timbers provide the ‘black’ and the ‘white’ comes from the plastered infill between the timbers.
Our beautiful Welsh Oak towers over the meadow, filtering the late evening sun into dapples on the ground below.
