Walking trail will link Shropshire border to Cotswolds

The 80-mile Wyche Way will connect the Offa's Dyke Path, which runs the length of the Shropshire border with Wales, with the Cotswolds Way, which starts south east of Worcester.

Preparations are now being made for the new walking route's grand opening which is to take place in Kington, near Leominster on the south Shropshire border, on September 18.

A guidebook to the route, which will run below Shropshire, across the Malvern hills, to Broadway Tower in Worcestershire, is in the pipeline.Walkers from the Shropshire and Mid Wales region will be able to follow unbroken routes all the way to London, Stratford upon Avon or Bath.

The opening will tie in with Kington Walking Festival with its 38 guided walks in the area from September 17 to 20. Kate Ashbrook will be coming to Kington to officially open the new route. Kate is the general secretary of the Open Spaces Society, president of The Ramblers and a patron of the Walkers are Welcome Towns Network.

She said: "I feel honoured to be launching this inspirational new trail. It passes through the most splendid countryside and will bring pleasure to thousands of walkers as well as benefiting the economy of the towns and villages through which it passes."

Immediately after the opening, route designer and Cheltenham Rambling Club member Guy Vowles will lead the first leg of The Wyche Way from Kington to Weobley.

Details for each stage of the trail can be seen at www.guysrambles.co.uk

The guide book will be on sale on the site from September.

Walking festival details at www.kingtonwalks.org