The borderland between England and Wales offers remarkable walking and for the most part does not suffer from the pressures of demand experienced in Snowdonia or the Lake District. This is the first of two walking books covering the Welsh borderlands, an intriguing part of Britain that is also known as Y Mers or the Welsh Marches. It is a land that has witnessed border struggles and repression throughout the centuries, and the number of prehistoric fortresses and medieval mounds here lend support to this. But in times of peace, borderland craft and culture thrived and to this day these quieter places attract many artisans seeking to make a living from their countryside enclaves. Some parts have been exploited for mineral wealth and more for coal. This was followed by factory production and in places, such as the Dee Estuary and Wrexham, industry still holds fast. In many places, manufacturing was introduced on a more modest scale and thus blended more with agricultural ways. Needless to say, the industrial heritage of the borderlands makes for interesting walks, such as at Loggerheads Country Park, Glyn Ceiriog and Pontcysyllte. This book covers the northern borderlands from Church Stretton in the south to Prestatyn in the north. There are 20 walks offering different local landscapes and cultures. After all it is diversity that makes this part of the world so engaging. It is only by walking through this area that you can begin to feel its culture; the thread of ridges and river valleys, and the wildlife that surrounds it. The walks are all linear; you can therefore walk further from the start than with a circular walk and this can add interest and variety. It's also easier with a linear walk to include good samples of some of our great local trails such as the Maelor Way, Clwydian Way or Shropshire Way that you may otherwise never try you'll find several of these in the walks. Most people love the experience of a train ride and we have included a couple of superb steam heritage railways too. However, there may be a reluctance to try a bus walk because of a concern about the uncertainty of the return bus. We have designed the walks so that you catch the train or bus out and walk back to a town where there are facilities as well as bus stops and/or train stations. It is very easy to get instant information about public transport now using mobile phones or the internet, removing many of the barriers of old. You will also find a list of websites where you can download or print off the bus timetables.