Here’s a ride some of us did for the Diamond Jubilee weekend. We planned 5 days but terminated after 3 because of adverse weather conditions
Where to stay:-
Route map for Dinas Cross to Wem:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204112132629730101627.0004b762a9012b15c359b&msa=0
Day 1: Pen-Y-Mynydd, Dinas Cross to Tregaron
OS Landranger 145
Start point: Pen-Y-Mynydd cottage. Contact us for ad hoc bookings for 1 or 2 nights.
The route today takes you through the Gwaun and into the Preseli, before dropping down to the Afon Teifi which we will mostly follow upstream.
From Ped-Y-Mynydd, turn right at the view point and over the mountain to Cwm Gwaun. At Cwm Gwaun turn left. Follow this road to the end, then turn left towards Crosswell. Continue straight towards Blaenffos & the A478 turn left then first right B4332. Boncath. Penhriw. Cenarth.Turn right on A484 to Newcastle Emlyn (coffee stop) Continue on A484 to l. B4335. Pentree-cwrt. (PIck up NCN82) L. A486.R. B4336 cross B4459 then l. (@ Heather Bank) to A485. l. to Llanbydder, continuing to Cwmann (Lampeter junction). r. then left for B4343 Tregaron. You’re done!
End point: Y Talbot
Day 2: Tregaron to Newtown.
OS Landrangers 146 147, 136.
Start point: Y Talbot
Continue on B4343 past Tregaron Bog to Pontrhydfendigaid. (a scenic diversion is to take NCN82 across the Bog. Emerging at Ystradmeurig, turn r. & take B4340 to rejoin at Pontrhydfendigaid) Strata Florida abbey is worth a visit.
R. B4343 to Pont-Rhyd-y-Groes. R. B4574 to Cwmystyth. r. Minor road towards Rhayader. L. @ Blaencwm onto NCN818 (Forestry Rd emerging on A44 close to Llangurig – the first section of this is a rough track and very steep, expect to have to push. Then you drop down into the valley and continue up the other side on a road that is still very steep – the downhill run is a breeze though. You can get tea and food at the pub in Llangurig and you will probably need it. L. NCN81 Minor road to LLanidloes (lunch stop) Continue on NCN to Newtown -take B4568 out of town, fork left towards Oakley Park. Follow NCN81 signs emerging at Caersws. Route 81 continues on the north side of the river to Newtown. You’re done! Take the rest of the morning off.
End point:
Day 3. Newtown to Wem.
OS Landrangers 136, 126.
Start point: Elephant & Castle, Broad Street, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2BQ
Leaving town on the route of the Shropshire Union canal, emerge on B4389 at Aberbechan. L. to Bettws Cedewan. r to Berrie, hence to Powis Castle. Continue on NCN81 towards Leighton, left onto long mountain rd, then Hope, Wollaston (Motte & Bailey). (Border Crossing) Bulthy, Crew Green, Melverley, r. pentre, Wilcott, Wilcott Marsh where we leave NCN81 as it is now heading for Shrewsbury. Great Ness, Little Ness, l. B5067 Baschurch, r, B4397 Burlton, r. A528, l. minor rd to Brandwood, Noneley, Tilley, l. B5476 to Wem. Afternoon pint and a nap before dinner perhaps?
Route map for Wem to Sheffield:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=204112132629730101627.0004bf9e3c469844254c7&msa=0
Day 4. Wem to Ilam
Start point: Aston Lodge, Wem.
OS Landrangers 126, 127, 118, 119
Today we are going to have to head west and a bit south to avoid the Potteries. The navigation gets a bit more difficult because there are more roads in England than Wales, but most of the road choices end up in the same place so don’t worry too much about the odd wrong turn.
From the station take Aston Rd to Aston and continue when it becomes Brockhurst Rd. At the A49 turn left for a mile or so , then r. towards Moston and next 2 lefts. At Hopton turn r, onto Chapel Lane, cross the A53, through High Hatton and Drakeley. Cross the A442, r. The Avenue, past the Chapel of the Epiphany, cross the river and on to Ollerton. l.r.i. to get onto Ollerton Lane.r. Hurst Lane becoming Bog Hall Lane. l. Hatton Rd,crossing A41 to Mill Green, r. onto Mari Pitt Lane, crossing A529 to Lockley Wood giving you a clear run across the canal (Wharf Tavern) r. Haywood Lane, straight through Cheswardine, r. at crossroads outside Cheswardine, l at next junction, after the next crossroads l. towards & past The Oaks. Straight on at Main Rd past the Little Brown Jug & Cop Mere,becoming Shaws Lane and bringing you into Eccleshall. l. A519, fork right for Sturbridge, Drake Hall prison, across the railway. r. at Meece Rd, then left onto Yarnfield Lane, through Yarnfield and cross the M6 & A34 to get into Stone. . At Trent Rd turn right onto Newcastle St, left Radford St, then l. Oulton Rd through Oulton onto Kibblestone Rd, r. Mill Lane crossing the A520. Lees Lane then l. @Moddershall Cricket Club towards Crossgate, Fulford and Saverley Green. l. @ Cresswell Rd, across the A50. r, Uttoxeter Rd, fork left onto Breach Lane, across A522, Tenford Lane, l. to Freehay, r, B5032, l. @ Threapwood on Chapel Lane, Stoney Dale, l. Mill Rd, @ Oakamoor, r. B5417 Star Bank. l. Ellastone Rd, r. Main Rd through Cauldon Low, Stoney Lane, l. Earlsway, r. A523, l. Stony Lane, l. Farwall Lane, Lodge Lane, Ilam Moor Lane. r. to YHA Ilam Hall. Collapse.
Day 4. Ilam to Sheffield
OS Landranger 119. Start point: Ilam Youth Hostel
From Ilam Youth Hostel take the second left towards Fenny Bentley.Follow Winterfroft Lane and Narlow Lane to the Tissington Trail. Turn right and follow the trail to the signalbox above Hartington. Leave the trail and take the B5054 r. to Green Lane. Turn left before it becomes Rake Lane and follow through to Long Rake, Back Lane. Across Lathkilldale and at Lady Manners School r. to Upper Yeld Rd, Butts Rd to Bath St, r. Station Rd. Take the Monsal Trail to Hassop Station (might as well) then B6001 to Calver, A625 to fork right on Stony ridge rd, r. to Hathersage Rd. l. on Sheephill Rd, r. ringinglow rd, l. to Dobbin Hill, l. Greystones Drive. Ride ends at the Greystones where a pint of foaming ale will be waiting. Enjoy!