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Next Trips

Wye Valley

Many a backpacker on the Offa's Dyke's Path will have stayed at Wonastow or passed through an hour or so after finishing breakfast in nearby Monmouth This rural, sparsely populated location is not quite in the Wye Valley but it is near as damnit in its orbit for our purposes. Rickyard Bunkhouse next to Hendre Farm is an example of farming diversity as it seeks to benefit from its convenient pathside location. It is a fully equipped bunkhouse with all the usual facilities. There are 25 beds in 5 bedrooms (2x2, l x6, l x l 0 and 1x5 ensuite). There is also a fully secure camping area at £4 per day/per person from where the incumbents can use the bunkhouse facilities. Further details can be obtained on www.rickyardbunkhouse.co.uk. Dingestow village one mile south and twice as far by road has the Somerset Arms Pub which does good food and serves real ale. An obvious pedestrian route along bridleways betwixt the two could take about 30mins for the energetic.

Nearby Monmouth is centrally located in the Wye Valley, so a short drive north or south of here will enable folk to explore this deeply incised valley with its numerous bends. Symonds Yat, Tintern Abbey, Chepstow, Ross-on-Wye, Trellech, Lower Redbrook and the Forest of Dean are just some of the places from which walks could be devised to enjoy the autumnal colours of this famously wooded area.

Getting to Rickyard Bunkhouse isn't quite as simple though. Hendre Farm (Grid Ref SO458 125) is equidistant from Wonastow (which isn't really a village), Dingestow, Llangattock-vibon-Avel (which isn't really a village either) and Llanfihangel-Ystern-Llewern (which completes this hatrick) - try stopping a passer by for directions to one of those last two villages! All of these are located on minor country roads in an area north of the main A40 (T) and west of Monmouth. Because of the lack of junctions the approach has to be made via the roundabout on the A40 (T) just south of Monmouth before it goes through the tunnel. Double back through Over Monnow (DO NOT go back into Monmouth) and hopefully find a minor road signposted for Wonastow (on the left) beyond which bears right for two miles signposted for Hendre (which you can guess isn't a village) and Llangattock or Llanfihangel perhaps. lf you spot Jingle Street (not a village) just past Wonastow on your travels then you have missed the turn. Alternatively you could all locate the Somerset Arms in Dingestow and then wait for someone to arrive from Rochdale with his sat nav who may provide a free taxi service to the bunkhouse for the inebriated. Happy Hunting.

Please send the usual £5 deposit to Gustav to secure a bed or two.

Donna for more details.

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