Six local walks start at QEII Jubilee Field; four memorial routes were established in 2018 to mark the centenary of the First World War. Trefonen therefore brings together different types of routes and a local history in which mining and remembrance play a part. When planning, you can choose between the collection of local walks, a themed memorial route and the longer Offa’s Dyke National Trail.

Local walks and memorial routes

The “Trefonen Walks” collection includes six local walks that start at QEII Jubilee Field. The booklet of the same name is available free of charge from the Village Shop and can also be downloaded. If you plan to use a printed copy, check its local availability. Conditions on individual routes can change; take this into account when making your specific plans.

The four memorial routes established in 2018 follow local footpaths and roads through Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr. They pass houses where the 31 people from the villages who were killed in the First World War had lived. The historical context therefore informs the choice of route: the walks connect exploring the surrounding area with remembering its former residents.

“WW1 Centenary Walks – Walk 2 – North & East of Trefonen” is a four-mile circular route along lanes, paths and field tracks. Part of it follows the Offa’s Dyke National Trail. The trail passes through Trefonen; the Offa’s Dyke Path is a 177-mile (285 km) National Trail along the border between England and Wales. The 177-mile distance refers to the trail, not the four-mile circular walk. Check route and access conditions before setting out.

Local history, from the war memorial to mining

Trefonen’s war memorial was unveiled and dedicated on 1 January 1920. The memorial routes approach the same historical subject from a different perspective: rather than stopping at a single monument, they pass houses connected with people from the villages who were killed in the war.

The area’s working history is also part of Trefonen’s past. In the 18th and 19th centuries, traditional farming was supplemented by coal mining and brickmaking. Visitors can see two sculptures depicting working miners on a former spoil heap. Together with the historic routes, these features paint a picture of local history in which both remembrance and past working life have a place.

Landscape and the annual Hill Walk

Trefonen Brook forms a significant valley that is important for wildlife. Bwyltai Wood, a mixed woodland of additional importance for nature and wildlife, is located near Trefonen. The landscape immediately around Trefonen, Treflach and Nantmawr is designated as an area of special landscape character. These landscape features add a natural setting to the area’s local and industrial history.

The Trefonen Hill Walk has taken place every year since it began in 1988. It offers walks of different lengths as well as a changing programme of events. If you want to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates and programme in advance.

Plan your journey

Public transport in the area around Trefonen is limited. Occasional buses run from Oswestry to this area and beyond. Check the timetable for your travel dates before arranging your outward and return journeys.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Worfield, Criggion, Hinton, Craven Arms, Cardeston, Bishops Castle, Harley, Hope Bowdler.

Back to the main travel overview: Shropshire.