Offa's Dyke

Built in the 8th century by King Offa of England to draw a clear line between England and Wales, Offa's Dyke has been a bone of contention whichever way you look at it and can stir feelings on both sides of the border, though perhaps more so for the Welsh.

Nowadays it is best known for being one of Britain's best walks with a wonderful footpath that runs its course for 177 miles from the Severn Estuary at Chepstow to the resort of Prestatyn on Wales' north coast. It traverses some of the country's lovliest countryside, from gentle fields and paths to hills and moorland.

The Dyke no longer exists in its entirety of course but there are decent stretches of it still left and some banks up to 25ft high. As it follows the natural contours and features of the landscape it is not hard to imagine how it might once have been.