The Top 6 Things to Do in Flintshire
Taking in the landscapes of the River Dee, the Clwydian Range and the north Wales coast, the Welsh county of Flintshire is an attractive place indeed – and yet it’s often overlooked by visitors in favour of its more famous neighbour, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
Savvy travellers, however, may well tip Flintshire as one of north Wales’ best-kept secrets – with the crowds heading further afield, you should find plenty of peaceful places to visit, whether you’re in the mood for walks, beach trips or heritage-based outings. To help you find the top spots, we’ve created this list of six of the best things to do in Flintshire.
Whether you stop over for a single night on your north Wales journey or stay for a longer break, Flintshire makes a fantastic place for a camping or glamping break. As it’s less well known than some of its neighbours, Flintshire can have some great bargains on offer – and still with the splendid scenery you’d expect from a north Wales break. Take a look at Pitchup’s full range below to see what’s on offer.
Explore all Flintshire campsites
Moel Famau
Scale Flintshire’s tallest hill for panoramas over two countries
Moel Famau is the highest peak in Flintshire, located roughly halfway between Mold (in Flintshire) and Ruthin (in Denbighshire). On clear days, you'll get great views of both counties – as well as far-reaching vistas that extend all the way over to Liverpool – from the summit of this 554-metre vantage point in the Clwydian Range.
Although technically not high enough to be called a mountain, Moel Famau is an adventurous day out by anyone's standards – the path is generally accessible and well marked, but it can be rocky and boggy in places. It’s a wildlife haven, too, so there's often birdlife to spot in the skies above.
There are several ways to tackle Moel Famau, from an accessible walk in its country park to a more challenging all-day hike – find out more about the different options in our guide to the best Flintshire walks.
Talacre beach
Explore Flintshire’s quiet coastline
Just down the coast from Denbighshire’s bustling resorts of Prestatyn and Rhyl, Talacre beach sits in an altogether quieter location just across the river Dee from the Wirral and close to the border between England and Wales. This sizable stretch of sand extends for several miles down the coast and is generally very peaceful, with plenty of room for dogs to run off the lead and for sun-seekers to find privacy and seclusion.
Talacre is also home to the pretty Point of Ayr lighthouse, a historic structure that dates back to the 18th century. You can walk right out to it along a stone causeway, but if you’re planning to check out this lightshire, keep an eye on the tide times to make sure you don't get cut off from the mainland. It’s worth bringing binoculars and a camera to take full advantage of this very special seascape.
Wepre Park
Green space galore at this Flintshire hidden gem
Set in ancient woodland just to the south of Connah's Quay, Wepre Park has plenty to keep kids and adults entertained. With one of the largest free playgrounds in the area, two sports pitches, a small waterfall, a fishing lake and several well-managed forest walks, this country park has 160 acres of pretty countryside to explore.
All of these sights are just a short walk or bike ride away from Wepre's waterfront and amenities, which include good public transport links to the national rail and road networks.
Flint and Ewloe castles
North Wales castles off the beaten track
Flint Castle stands in the centre of Flintshire's county town. Originally built as part of Edward I's campaign against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, this medieval castle has exceptionally thick walls, and is dominated by a tall and imposing tower. The castle was used as a location in Shakespeare’s Richard II, and although it’s technically a ruin these days, there’s still plenty to explore.
Just a few miles away, Ewloe Castle is a Welsh-built fortification dating from the 1200s. Rather unusually, it’s surrounded by thick woodland rather than being on a hill or waterfront location. This castle was at the forefront of the clashes in these borderlands for hundreds of years, so there are plenty of historic relics to discover.
Both Flint and Ewloe castles are managed by Cadw, the Welsh heritage service, and are free to enter throughout the year.
Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
Outdoor activities and an open-air museum
Set in 70 acres of woodland and with 2,000 years of history on show, Greenfield Valley Heritage Park has a mix of outdoor space and fascinating relics from the past. The centrepiece is an open-air museum that includes a Victorian schoolhouse and some old farm buildings recreating life from around 1850 to 1950. Elsewhere around the valley you can visit tranquil Basingwerk Abbey and some cute traditional Welsh cottages, and look out for wildlife including badgers and kingfishers. Meanwhile, the kids should find that an adventure tree house, a tunnel maze and water games keep them busy.
St. Winefride’s Shrine and the Holy Well
Dive into Wales’ medieval past
If you liked the ecclesiastical history on display at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, head next to nearby St. Winefride's Shrine and the Holy Well to experience a major medieval pilgrimage site. Faithful Catholics have flocked here for over 1,300 years, making it quite possibly the oldest pilgrimage site still in use in Britain.
The crypt, outer pool (said to be filled with healing waters) and chapel that make up this Grade I-listed complex are full of sacred relics and fascinating stories, creating a sense of peace that continues to draw visitors today.
Planning your Flintshire break
If you’d like to tick off all the things on the list, you’ll need to stay for a couple of nights at least – and with all this lovely countryside around it’s no surprise to find that Flintshire has a good number of great campsites and glampsites to its name. Whether you’d like to keep things simple with a wild camping spot or splash out on a cosy glamping break, Pitchup’s range of Flintshire campsites has you covered.