Offa’s Dyke Path, Central - Montgomery
Montgomery, our base for the central section of the Offa’s Dyke Path, is a small market town, once of considerable historic importance but now a peaceful and largely unvisited centre for the local farming communities. The town is overlooked by a substantial but ruined castle, dating from 1223, which played a major role in the border disputes which raged in the area during mediaeval times. There are several shops in Montgomery, a restaurant and a couple of pubs that serve food in the evening.
The daily meeting point in Montgomery is outside the Town Hall in the central square.
Accommodation
There is a variety of accommodation in and around Montgomery and details can be found on the following websites:
http://www.visitbritain.com/uk/search/accommodation.htm
http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
Alternatively, an accommodation guide can be obtained from the Tourist Information Centre in Welshpool, whose contact details are as follows:
Tourist Information Centre, Vicarage Gardens, Welshpool, SY21 7DD
Tel; 01938 552043
Fax; 01938 554038
E.Mail: weltic@powys.gov.uk
There are a number of other B&Bs in Montgomery which do not advertise on the above-mentioned website or in the accommodation brochure. Most have chosen not to participate in the Harmonised Quality Standards Grading System because it can prove quite expensive for a small establishment. For contact details click here.
How to reach Montgomery by public transport
The nearest railway station is at Welshpool (nine miles distant) on the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth line. National Express run a limited coach service to Welshpool. There are three buses a day from Welshpool to Montgomery and the Tourist Information Centre will be able to send you a timetable. Another alternative would be to take the train to Shrewsbury (thirty miles distant) and then catch the ‘Monty Bus’ which departs from Shrewsbury for Montgomery every two hours from early morning until early afternoon weekdays or mid-afternoon on Saturdays. Again, the Tourist Information Centre will be able to supply details.
General information on the Welsh Borders can be found on the following websites:
http://www.montgomery-powys.co.uk
http://www.offasdyke.demon.co.uk
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/OffasDyke/
Cicerone Press produce an informative guidebook for this route.