The Welshpool area will feature heavily in a new six-part ITV series to be broadcast at prime time across the UK in January and February 2022.
Starting tomorrow night (Tuesday) from 7.30pm, Wonders of the Border will see Good Morning Britain and Countryfile presenter Sean Fletcher visit more than 50 locations along the 177-mile Offa’s Dyke National Trail — meeting an amazing variety of people who have made the borderlands between Wales and England their home.
The remaining five episodes will feature on Tuesdays over the next six weeks, accounting for a week’s break between episode three and four.
The Offa’s Dyke Path runs from Sedbury Cliffs near Chepstow in the south to Prestatyn on the shores of the Irish Sea in the north — taking in eight different counties and crossing the England-Wales border more than 20 times and slicing through the Welshpool area.
Powis Castle, Llanymynech Rocks, Welshpool Airport and the Montgomery Canal will feature in the programme.
Sean said: “I was privileged to have the chance to travel along the magnificent Wales Coast Path for some incredibly popular programmes which aired on ITV in 2020. And now, I am able to complete the journey around the nation that I am proud to call my second home.
“I am hoping that the programme will give some inspiration for places to visit and to enjoy some fantastic countryside along the way.”
At the heart of the National Trail is Offa’s Dyke itself. Built 1,200 years ago — and covering a distance of more than 80 miles — Offa’s Dyke is Britain’s longest ancient monument. It’s even longer than Hadrian’s Wall.
The large, linear earthwork roughly follows part of the current border between England and Wales. It is named after Offa, the Anglo Saxon King — who seized power during a time of great unrest caused by friction between Wales and England in the border regions.
Offa was determined to quell the unruly Welsh and impose his authority, and he did this by building one of the most remarkable structures in Britain.
During the series, Sean learns more about the history of the ancient monument and tries out more modern activities, from kayaking and wild swimming in the River Wye to mountain biking in Llandegla Forest.
PICTURE ONE: Sean (right) with local artist, Andrew Logan.
PICTURE TWO: Sean straddles the border at Llanymynech
PICTURE THREE: Programme presenter Sean Fletcher