Cycling in the Welsh Borders
The Welsh
Borders are sometimes referred to as the Welsh Marches or the
Welsh Borderlands. Technically it is either side of the border,
but for the purposes of this site it is the western portion of
the English counties of Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and
Gloucestershire.
 It
is one of the most unspoilt areas of England, with little traffic
and loads of mediaeval castles. Picturesque black and white villages
abound. The landscape is lush and gently undulating.
The name
Marches (meaning mark or line) came about when William I, having
conquered England in 1066, sent his troublesome blood-thirsty
earls west to take whatever land they could sieze. Of course they
took the best land, built lots of castles, ruled like warlords,
and treated the locals like dirt. It was only with the 1536 Act
of Union that these Marcher Lords lost some of their privileges.
Typical
border country this. Its bloody history has left a wonderful mix
of Celtic, Norman French, and Anglo-Saxon heritage for the curious
cyclist to explore. Winding lanes lead to castle ruins, picturesque
churches (many sporting pagan carvings of The Green Man and Sheila-na-gig),
and apple orchards. This is reasonably easy cycling country with
lots of variety en-route.
> Tourist
Information for the Welsh Borders
> Photos
of the Welsh Borders
> Pubs
& Cafes in the Welsh Borders
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