Offa's Dyke Centre

The Centre, opened in 1999, forms the focus for activities based on the 8th Century earthwork built by Offa, the King of Mercia. The dyke follows the Welsh English border from the hills above Prestatyn to the Severn Estuary near Chepstow.

With its free exhibition and car park, the Centre caters for the needs of a wide range of visitors, from those taking toddlers to play in the surrounding park and play area, to those exploring the border area by car, cycle or on foot, to education groups studying the history of the area, and particularly that of Offa's Dyke. There is something here for everyone.

The attractive interactive exhibition allows visitors to explore the Dyke, its associated long distance footpath, and the border area in general, through interactive displays and graphic display panels. Exhibits cover:

• The construction of Offa's Dyke
• The Welsh Princes of the Anglo-Saxon period
• The flora and fauna of the area
• Environmental considerations
• The history of Knighton
• The activities required to maintain the Dyke and the Long Distance Footpath

The Centre is managed by Offa's Dyke Association, a charity originally set up to provide help for walkers on the Long Distance Path, and this still forms an important part of their activity but now is widened to serve the needs of all visitors. The Centre incorporates the Knighton Tourist Information Centre and a shop. Facilities are available for school visits, small conferences, and exhibitions.

As a centre for walking activities, Offa's Dyke Centre is positioned at about the halfway point of the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail and at the start of the Glyndwr's Way National Trail. The Wye Valley Walk crosses the Offa's Dyke Path at Hay-on-Wye as does the Severn Way at Pool Quay, and a wide range of shorter walks radiate from Knighton.