By Will Merison

When people ask me where I’m from, I tell them I’m from Flintshire. And yet, to my dismay, the response that I’m most often met with is, “where on earth is that?!”.

And so I would like to take this opportunity to finally put the small but mighty county of Flintshire on the map. If you’re visiting this incredible corner of Wales, here are six amazing things to do. 

#1. Moel Famau

The tallest peak in Flintshire at 555m, this should be your first port of call if looking for a brisk walk with excellent views across the county to Liverpool and Chester in the east, and Snowdonia in the west. Don’t be put off by a one star review on Tripadvisor calling it ‘very steep for no reason’... 

I’ve lived here for 25 years and still don’t know how to pronounce it. So please don’t ask.

#2. St Winefride’s Well, Holywell

Also known as the ‘Lourdes of Wales’, this is the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain. It’s where St. Winifrede was beheaded by a chieftain named Caradoc (who was, as it so happens, from Hawarden... but more of which in a bit). 

Miraculously, after a prayer or two, her head was put back on and Winefride survived. 

I know that you’re thinking “yeah, right!”. But hey, let’s not let the truth get in the way of a good story. 

You can visit the spring, which appeared on the spot of Winefride’s beheading, and feel the healing powers that many have experienced for the last 1300 years. 

#3. Talacre beach

This is North Wales’ answer to Bondi beach, just with slightly more rain, a little bit more wind, and a lot less surfers.

The beach is often practically deserted so you will most likely have the vast expanse of sand to yourself. It’s the perfect place to let your dogs run free, and it provides dramatic views across the Irish Sea.

#4. Theatr Clwyd

A hillside on the outskirts of Mold might seem like an unlikely place for a theatre, but that’s the beauty of it. This is a genuinely world-class institution which always seems to have a programme packed with brilliant productions.

#5. Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden

It’s what all bibliophiles dream of - a library that you can stay at. Well, dream no more and book a room at Gladstone’s Library. 

This is Britain’s only prime ministerial library and the perfect place to go if you need somewhere quiet to work or study.

They also run daily tours if you just want to look around.

I crammed for my GCSEs here, so I owe them a lot...

Hawarden Estate Experience

No list of things to do in Flintshire is complete without a mention of Hawarden Estate Experience.

I am slightly biased - I do work here after all. But I do mean it. It’s phenomenal. 

It consists of Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, The Glynne Arms pub and a wedding venue called Hawarden Castle Pavilion. I could bore you for hours telling you how brilliant it is. But I won’t. Don’t worry. Just come and see it for yourself. You won’t regret it.

So there you have it. Six amazing things to do in Flintshire. 

Oh, and if you want to visit I know just the campsite for you...

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