KEEN walkers should head to a Radnorshire town if they want a stunning rambling experience as it has been selected as one of the six best in Britain to explore for a walking holiday.

Knighton was picked as one of The Guardian’s top walking holiday experiences, along with four spots in England and one in Scotland. Penned by journalist Sarah Baxter, Knighton was selected along with nearby Kington, just over the Herefordshire border, as both are situated along the Offa’s Dyke national trail and both are deemed excellent for exploring the Welsh Marches.

Knighton’s perks include meandering your way along old drovers’ roads and parts of Glyndwr’s Way, which passes through much of Powys, as well as taking a trip on the scenic Heart of Wales railway.

“It’s tough to pick between this pair of England/Wales border towns,” said Sarah.

“Both are ‘Walkers Are Welcome’ certified, both are on the Offa’s Dyke national trail, both feature on other long-distance routes, both are good for exploring the Welsh Marches.

“Knighton, a 13-mile walk north of Kington along Offa’s Dyke, is surrounded by options, including old drovers’ roads and parts of Glyndwr’s Way. It’s also on the Heart of Wales railway – hop on and off the train to access sections of the Heart of Wales Line Trail.

“The medieval market town of Kington is below Hergest Ridge, from where there are views to the Black Mountains and Cotswold Hills; spend days hiking up here, along the Arrow Valley and along bits of the Mortimer Trail, or attempt Kington’s 26-mile ‘Eight Pubs Challenge’.”

The other walking towns in the top six are Cromer, in Norfolk, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, Bradford on Avon, in Wiltshire, Kinlochleven, in the Scottish Highlands, and Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria.

The article was picked up by the Heart of Wales Line’s Twitter account, which said: “Great to see #Knighton, #Powys and the Heart of Wales Line featured in this article from @guardian, ‘Six of the best British towns for walking holidays.”

The Heart of Wales Line is a spectacular rural railway that runs through beautiful Mid Wales, from Swansea and Shrewsbury. Much loved by day trippers and walkers alike, the line also provides a vital transport link for lively rural communities and towns across Mid Wales and the Borders.

The railway crosses two impressive viaducts at Knucklas and at Cynghordy and goes through six tunnels, including one on the magnificent run up to Sugar Loaf. Over 30 stations are served by the line, some of which are idyllic and scenic request stops.

Trains along the Heart of Wales Line call at all stations linked to the fantastic new long distance walking trail. If you love walking, why not hop on a train and walk from one station to the next along the Heart of Wales Line Trail.

The Heart of Wales Line runs through dramatic scenery including mountains, forests, wild rivers, green meadows and pretty towns and villages across Powys, Shropshire, Carmarthenshire and Swansea.

County Times: Hergest Ridge covering Powys and Herefordshire. Picture by Sophie Osborne.

Hergest Ridge covering Powys and Herefordshire. Picture by Sophie Osborne.

Glyndwr’s Way, in June, featured in a another article by the same author championing 10 of the best kept secret walking trails in the UK.

Glyndwr’s Way is a 135-mile route, which is suggested as perfect for a 9-10 day holiday, starting in Knighton and ending in Welshpool at the north end of Powys.

“Though one of the UK’s 16 official National Trails, Glyndwr’s Way manages to fly beneath the radar – perhaps because, unlike the others, it follows no particular ridge or coast,” said Sarah.

“Instead, it performs a sideways V, designed to link places with connections to Owain Glyndwr (the last Welsh Prince of Wales), and showcase the best of this quiet patch of Powys, taking in forests, views north to Snowdonia and the shores of Lake Vyrnwy.

“Those with only a weekend free could try the 27-mile section between Llanidloes and Machynlleth (where Glyndwr set up his parliament in 1404). Those with unlimited time could walk Glyndwr’s Way to Welshpool then follow Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail south back to Knighton, completing a 165-mile loop.”

For more information on Glyndwr’s Way and walks in Knighton and Kington, visit kingtonwalks.org, kingtontourist.info and visitknighton.co.uk.