Tuesday 29th May – Pandy

We were impressed to find that the site had two documented walks direct from the campsite. These were available on A4 sheet with a map on one side and the route description on the other side. Both were on sale for 50p each with the proceeds going to charity. We chose the shorter 4.5 mile walk because it looked more interesting and could easily be extended if we wanted.

We walked passed the imposing Tre-wyn house with its large dovecote and following the quiet road to the base of Hatterall Hill, climbing steadily until we left the road to a path through woodland. The path became steeper especially when we emerged into open fields and saw the first defences of the Hatterhall Iron Age Hill Fort. Reaching the top we were rewarded with lovely views over the surrounding hills of Skirrid, Bryn Awr, Crug Mawr, Sugar Loaf and Blorenge, the latter of which seemed to have another Iron Age hill fort on its summit. We spent some time wandering around admiring the banks and ditches of the hill fort and the views from it.

Taking another path off the hill we made our way along more quiet roads and fields towards the southern end of Pandy village. Before the railway line we came to Treveddw farm with its lovely traditional Welsh Long House and outbuildings. Here I bought a dozen eggs and chatted with the farmer. The map showed that there was a Norman Motte close to the farmhouse and I asked him if he knew anything about it. Apparently it was an early Norman motte dating to 1068 and was very small, the wooden palisade enclosing an area only about 21 feet in diameter. Despite this, the high mound must have required a huge amount of manpower to construct. It can't really be described as defensive, it was just a statement by the Normans – we are here and we are in charge! Apparently the early mottes were often small, replaced later by larger construction. When I looked at an OS map a little later, I found many motte and bailey castles within a short distance of Pandy. This was the border land between England and Wales and the Normans would have been very keen to establish their authority in the area.

After crossing the railway line we joined the old road that used to be the A465 before a new and wider road was built a few metres away. We passed a small chapel soon to be converted to holiday accommodation and the Zoar Baptist Chapel where at one time they carried out baptisms in the River Honddu that runs by it.

We soon arrived at the turning for the campsite where we popped in to check out The Old Pandy Inn. The name Pandy is an old Welsh name for a fulling mill that was used to clean and thicken cloth, especially woollen cloth. The Old Pandy Inn has an old fulling mill attached to it but this has now been converted to a 'bunkhouse' used by many walkers who are walking the Offa's Dyke Path, part of which we had walked today. The pub was pleasant and we decided to slake our thirst after the walk and book a table for the evening.

The afternoon was spent relaxing and watching the many trains, both passenger and freight, pass on the elevated railway in front of the campsite.

The evening meal was good although I had to choose three times before I found a dish that was available. There is a large choice of pubs in the area and we were impressed by the menu of the hotel close to the chapels that we passed, also within easy walking distance of the campsite.

Photos: Typical British fields viewed from Hatterall Hill; View along the Hatterall Hill hill fort towards another hill fort on Blorenge; The Norman motte.