Offa's Dyke Path emergency & health guide: hospitals, mountain rescue, 999 and 111

Emergency numbers

If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired, register for emergencySMS before you go: text "register" to 999 and follow the replies. Mobile signal is patchy in the deep valleys and on parts of the ridges, so carry a map and tell someone your plan.

Rules to know

• Offa's Dyke is a scheduled ancient monument. Do not climb on, dig into or walk along the top of the earthwork; follow the signed National Trail (acorn waymarks), which in many places now runs beside the Dyke to protect it.
• There is no general right to wild camp in England or Wales. Camp only on campsites or with the landowner's permission.
• Black Mountains: the Hatterrall Ridge is in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Stay on the improved ridge path, and in mist use a map and compass: the ridge is broad and featureless.
• Dogs: keep them on a lead near sheep and cattle; much of the path crosses farmland and many fields have livestock. If cattle threaten you, let your dog go.
• Chirk Castle: the route through the castle estate is a permissive path open in summer only; at other times follow the signed route. The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is crossed on an alternative route: the towpath is narrow with a long drop on one side.
• Floods and diversions: parts of the Buttington – Llanymynech section by the Severn flood in very wet weather (check flood warnings), and there have been closures for new bridge works on the Montgomery Canal near Llanymynech and on the Old Wye Bridge in Chepstow. Check the National Trail map before you set off.
• Drones: follow the UK Drone and Model Aircraft Code, do not fly over people, livestock or castles, and respect landowners such as the National Trust and Cadw, who restrict drones on their sites.
• Countryside Code: leave gates as you find them, use gates and stiles, take your litter home, and do not light fires.

Before you go, check diversions on the National Trail map and the Met Office forecast for the Black Mountains and the Clwydian Range. Buses in the border country are infrequent and thin on Sundays: check Traveline Cymru. Book rooms early, and ask hosts near Pandy, Brompton Crossroads, Buttington Bridge, Chirk Mill, Llandegla and Bodfari about pick-ups from the path.

Nearest hospital for each stage

Hospitals

Minor injury units

Minor injury units treat sprains, simple fractures, cuts and burns. Opening hours differ: Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny is open 7am to 1am, and the Powys units in Welshpool and Llandrindod Wells 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. They are not emergency departments. Call 111 first: it can tell you where to go.

Pharmacies, cash and supplies

• Pharmacies: Sedbury Cliffs, Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, Prestatyn
• ATMs: Sedbury Cliffs, Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Kington
• Shops: Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Buttington Bridge, Llanymynech, Llandegla, Prestatyn
• Bus stops: Sedbury Cliffs, Monmouth, Pandy, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, Llanymynech, Bodfari, Prestatyn

Wales and England have no duty-pharmacy rota. Pharmacies keep shop hours; call 111 if you need medicines urgently at night. There are pharmacies in Chepstow, Monmouth, Hay-on-Wye, Kington, Knighton, Welshpool, Chirk, Llangollen, Ruthin and Prestatyn; there are none at Pandy, Montgomery, Brompton Crossroads, Llanymynech, Llandegla or Bodfari, so carry a first-aid and blister kit.

Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.