Halkyn Mountain is a Site of Special Scientific Interest with panoramic views over the Dee estuary to the Wirral, Liverpool and beyond. This is a fascinating place with evidence of people having lived here for 5000 years. Today, the mountain is crossed by footpaths, bridle ways and quiet roads, ideal for walking, horse riding and cycling. There’s hardly need to leave the local area!
Greenfield Valley, Holywell – the Heritage Centre is in a 70 acre historical industrial site with a museum and a farm. It’s also home to the remains of Basingwerk Abbey one of many abbeys destroyed by Henry VIII. They have lots of events on for families and the popular Green Pea cafe, so something for everyone.
Loggerheads and Moel Famau
Country Parks form the heart of the AONB. The riverside and woodland walks and the splendid
Caffi Florence mean something for all the family.
Halkyn Church
Basingwerk Abbey
Loggerheads Country Park
Mold – A charming market town with the world famous
Theatr Clwyd nearby. Markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Holywell Town – The Lourdes of North Wales, home to
St Winifred’s Well.
Legend has it that a spring erupted on the spot where an unwanted suitor, Caradog, cut off Winefride’s head when she spurned his advances.
Flint Castle was built in 1277 by Edward I and cost £6068.7s.5d at the time. These days, entry is free.
Holywell High Street
St Winifred’s Well
Flint Castle
Clwydian Range – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A contrasting mix of heather moorland, limestone crags, woodland and rolling farmland, it covers an area of 62 sq miles following the ridge of the hills. Many of the peaks are topped with Iron Age hill forts.
Ruthin is one of the loveliest towns in North Wales with its centre of narrow streets and small independent shops. Combine a day’s shopping with a visit to
Ruthin Craft Centre. Moel Famau, the highest peak in the Range, is easily identified from miles around by it’s JubileeTower, built to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III. Unfortunately, it blew down during a storm in 1862 leaving the remains you can see today.
Offa’s Dyke Path
St Peters Square, Ruthin
Moel Famau
Other attractions nearby:
Chester: just over the border, Chester is a great Roman and Medieval walled city. You can walk the walls, stroll down by the river or shop in the famous Rows, a unique blend of medieval and modern.
Beautiful Llangollen in the Dee Valley is a popular destination with the river and horse drawn canal boats.
The medieval rows of Chester
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Llangollen
A little further away:
A visit to North Wales is not complete without a visit to one of its stunning castles
Conwy and Caernarfon are the most dramatic.
Snowdonia National Park is about an hour’s drive away
Just up the road, about 40 minutes away, is the wonderful Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno.
Conwy Castle
Snowdonia National Park
The beach at Llandudno
And last but not least: Liverpool – a fabulous Shopping Centre at Liverpool One, museums and refurbished docks. Or see the Fab Four at the Cavern. And you can still get a ferry across the Mersey.