The SHOT summer solstice trip once again goes to this National Park, but this time to the Black Mountain at the western end.(NB Not to be confused with the Black Mountains at the eastern end where we were last year). To make things slightly more difficult the hamlet of Heal Callwen is surprisingly not always named on Ordnance Survey maps! However several important local landmarks help pinpoint this place. The old primary school in the hamlet has been converted into the Dulwich College Field Centre complete with its own resident manager.
We have sole use of the building and apart from some introductory meetings with Gary Mitchell (Head of the Centre), we will have the place to ourselves. The accommodation totals 36 beds but we only pay for what we use. The ground floor contains five bunkrooms (4*6 and 1*4) with two en-suite rooms on the first floor consisting of one double bed and one bunk bed in one room and one double bed in the other room. Both of these rooms cost £2.50 each more than the tenner paid for the lower altitude ones. The remaining facilities are comprehensive as befits a private school in Dame Thatcher’s domicile. There is a large kitchen and dining room, a lecture/common room with TV, DVD, video, games cupboard and reference library, and a drying room as well as a laundry room.
The Glyntawe Valley helps separate the Black Mountain and the unfrequented western chunk of the National Park from Forest Fawr and the more popular central section to the east at Pen-y-Fan. The obvious walking target is to follow the escarpment northwards to the twin peaks of Fan Brycheiniog and Banna Sir Gaer returning across the extensive limestone country on the southern dip slope. Indeed, this limestone is home to one of Britain’s finest show caves at Dan-y-Ogof, a good place to be if it is pouring down with rain. For keen hill baggers, Fforest Fawr contains a neat collection of 2000 feet summits minus the crowds elsewhere. Craig-y-Nos County Park, shire horse/pony trekking and a moribund dry ski slope are also in the show cave environs. Despite its non-existence on maps Heol Callwen can be easily found because of its close proximity to Dan-y-Ogof. Most people will approach the area from Sennybridge in the north on the A4067. After about 7 miles of gradual climbing through the Breacons the road begins to descend. Less than 2 miles later pass the TAfarn-y-Garreg PH on the left. Very soon afterwards turn first left on a minor road lit with street lights opposite a bus shelter and phone box. The Centre is the first building on the right through the big black gates. If for some reason this junction is overshot then a river bridge is quickly crossed The Gwyn Arms PH on the old road down to the left should be visible followed shortly by the entrance to the Dan-yr-Ogof show caves on the right. The trick to navigating here is to locate the minor road between the two pubs with the Dan-yr-Ogof ringing any alarm bells.
This is SHOT’s first visit to the Lincolnshire Wolds, a welcome destination to members living on the wrong side of the country! Here is the chance to enjoy some early Spring sunshine without those awkward hilly bits that seem to aggravate dormant muscles used to lying idle over the Winter period. Such is the nature of the area that inclined planes and stone circles are short in supply allowing people with more than a passing interest in “lost” villages an opportunity to add several to their collection
Brook House Farm in the village of Scamblesby has decided to diversify completely away from one in agriculture to pursue a future as a horse riding school and breeding centre. The old threshing barn has been converted into a luxury bunkbarn, (despite numerous obstacles placed in the path by the local council), which received its first group booking over the Christmas period. There are the usual facilities with a large kitchen/diner. A fully equipped 4 bedded self-catering cottage is also available at £140 for the weekend. This has NOT been booked and as of December was still available for any interested family.
Helga, Casanova, Tetley, Sherry and friends are more than happy to show off their equestrian talents to any visitors. Contact Brook House Farm(01507 343244) for details/arrangements or view their website www.brookhousefarm.com
For those of us keen to keep our own feet nearer the ground the Lincolnshire Wolds is an undulating agriculture landscape criss-crossed by empty minor roads ideal for cycling. The Viking Way Long Distance Footpath goes through the village and provides the main artery for exploring the county, which has a reputation for unfriendly farmers amongst the walking fraternity. At this time of year footpaths shouldn’t be obstructed by too much oil see rape. Come back in the summer to experience the yellow peril at first hand. The dubious delights of Mablethorpe on the Costa del Skeggy are a mere 20 miles to the east; the Battle of Britain Memorial Flights is 15 miles south at RAF Coningsby; and the historic attractions of Lincoln are located 20 miles to the west.
Scamblesby is almost equidistant between Horncastle and Louth, lying just off the A153. Brook House Farm is on Watery Lane at the south-west corner of the village. The Green Man in the village and the nearby Coach and Horses will satisfy all our dietary and drinking requirements.
Heol Callwen, Glyntawe, on the southern edge of the Black Mountains, staying at the Dulwich College Field Study Centre
The mystery trip to “The Secret Valley” …all that can be said is that we are near to Oswestry!
Please send the usual £5 deposit to Gustav to book a place.