We are an independent membership-based volunteer-led organisation that provides information and other services to both day visitors and walkers using Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. We actively promote the conservation and general well being of Offa’s Dyke and Offa’s Dyke Path, also other associated archaeology including Wat’s Dyke and the other short dykes of the Welsh Marches. We manage the Offa’s Dyke Centre in Knighton and encourage archaeological and historical research relating to Offa’s Dyke and its hinterland corridor.
We maintain a comprehensive accommodation listing for the National Trail on our website. A pdf version of the listing can be purchased from our on-line shop.
The Offa’s Dyke Centre has interpretive displays on King Offa and Offa’s Dyke, also Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail. The Centre’s ‘Frank Noble’ reference library, named after our founder, has an unrivalled collection of books and journals on the Dyke and the Welsh Marches.
The ODA was founded in 1969 by the late Frank Noble, a Knighton school teacher and archaeologist. Initially it lobbied for the opening of the Offa’s Dyke Path which had been designated in 1949. When the Path was officially opened in 1971, it went on to provide strip maps of the route, accommodation information, and supported those responsible for maintaining the Path.
We operate our own Conservation Fund. We which makes financial contributions towards the cost of proactive conservation works to Offa’s Dyke and other associated archaeology, also areas of nature conservation interest. Anyone with a direct interest in managing Offa’s Dyke, including farmers, landowners or local authorities, can apply to the fund for help. To date we have made four grants to local authorities for conservation-base works in the Wye Valley, Shropshire and on Hatterrall ridge in Herefordshire. Another Wye valley project is in the pipeline for later in 2019. The Conservation Fund is itself supported from the proceeds of our our seasonal walkers’ Passport scheme, launched in spring 2019. The Passport is identical to the successful Passport on Hadrian’s Wall Path whereby, between May and October each year, walkers collect 12 stamps in their Passport. It is intended to be a lot of fun but of course the income from the Passports, which cost £5, supports the Conservation Fund which in turn helps to pay for essential conservation projects along the Dyke and National Trail. Joining the Association is another way of helping us to ensure that we are always ready to support applications to the Conservation Fund.
The ODA has also partnered with government agencies Cadw and Historic England towards the research and publication in 2019 of a Conservation Management Plan for Offa’s Dyke in both Wales and England.
We are also active members of the Offa’s Dyke Collaboratory and in March 2018 we co-hosted with the Collaboratory a conference ‘Offa’s Dyke Heritage‘ at the Centre.
