Welcome to Flintshire
The county of Flintshire is situated in North East Wales. Cheshire lies to the east, Denbighshire to the West and Wrexham to the south. Flint and Mold are the main town areas.

It is an area rich in history and well worth visiting in its own right. However, the numerous attractions of North Wales in general coupled with Roman Chester make this an idea tourist base.

In addition, Flintshire has just become a gateway to Ireland with POSL planning to operate out of Mostyn docks.

Gronant Dunes Wales Coastal Path
© Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales

History and Culture

Flintshire itself has long and distinctive heritage. It boasts numerous historic landmarks including industrial and religious sites. It was established in 1284, some seven years after King Edward 1 ordered work to begin on Flint Castle on a site of fierce battles between the Celts and Romans, British and Saxons, Welsh and Normans, which overlooked the Dee estuary.

Flint
Flint market can be dated back to a 'Charter' granted, on 4th February 1278, one year after King Edward I had defeated Llewelyn in the wars between the English and the Welsh. It narrowly missed having a Norman-French name. The Great County Court was held in Flint four times a year during the reign of King Edward I. In September 1284, Edward I granted the First Charter to Flint and created the town a Free Borough and the Constable of the Castle, Reginald de Grey the first Mayor of the new Borough
At Rhuddlan in 1284, Edward I issued the Statute of Rhuddlan which divided North and West Wales into counties including the County of Flint. On 7 December 1327, Edward III granted a Second Charter to the Burgesses. This was actually ratification and extension of the First Charter granted by his grandfather Edward I.

Mold Town Hall
© Crown copyright (2013) Visit Wales

Edward the Black Prince by virtue of his powers as Earl of Chester granted the Third Charter, on 20 September 1361. The Fourth Charter was bestowed on Richard II on 29 November 1395. Philip and Mary on 5 November 1555 and the Sixth Charter by William granted the Fifth Charter on 19 December 1700.

Edward I built a castle at Flint to pacify his new subjects and the English settlers, who came there to live, brought special rights including the privilege of holding a weekly market. Parliamentarian forces destroyed the castle, in 1646 during the civil war, but the ruins are still worth visiting.

Holywell
The well of St. Winefride’s has been visited by pilgrims since the 7th Century to be cured by the holy water and building its reputation as the ‘Lourdes of Wales’. The town of Holywell (Holy Well) gets its name from this well, and nearby the ruins of Basingwerk Abbey can be found. An important Welsh gateway since Roman times the area has a rich industrial and religious heritage. In the eighteenth century, the abundant water resources in the Greenfield Valley, combined with the exploitation of local mineral resources gave the area an unrivalled status as a milling and mining centre.

Local Iron Age hill forts of Caer Estyn, Moel Arthur, and Penycloddiau are also interesting.

Hawarden
Hawarden is rich in history. It contains two castles; one built again by King Edward 1, the other the home of William Gladstone, four times British Prime Minister. Another town, Caerwys, claims to be one of the smallest towns in Britain with a Royal Charter. Other notable attractions in Flintshire worth visiting are Ewloe Castle, Bailey Hill in Mold, Point of Ayr lighthouse Leeswood Hall’s ‘White Gates’.

Of particular interest is St Deiniol's Library, which is situated in Hawarden and is recognised as being Britain's finest residential library. William Ewart Gladstone founded it and after his death in 1898 it became the nation's tribute to his life and work.

Mold
Mold (‘Yr Wyddgrug’) is a bustling market town and the centre of various activities designed to preserve a lifestyle that goes back centuries. Daniel Owen (1836-1895), a most prominent novelist in the Welsh Language, was native to Mold. The town is an ideal centre for short-stay holidays offering visitors touring, mountain walks in the Clwydian Range and a variety of entertainment. The town boasts open-air street markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mold is famous for its contribution to Welsh culture and this continues today Theatr Clwyd a provincial theatre with a national reputation. The Theatre also hosts the Mold Carnival in June.

Loggerheads, three miles away is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Since its development by Clwyd County Council as a combined Country Park and Visitor Centre it has become a major tourist attraction. Nearby, Moel Fammau, the highest peak in the Clwydian Range (1,820 feet) gives stunning views of six counties from the viewing point on the summit. The wooden paths of the Leete, between Loggerheads and Rhydymwyn, provided inspiration for the composer Mendelssohn.

The Markets of Flintshire
The Romans established most of the markets in Flintshire and many towns grew around such market places. As time passed ‘Market Charters and Rights’ were granted to certain towns helping them grow and become established. Examples are Connah's Quay, Flint, Holywell and Mold.

Markets were originally run by ‘Lords of the Manors’. Private companies took on this role and employed a Market Superintendent - who was affectionately nicknamed the 'Toby'! This tradition remains today.

The market days are as follows:

Connah’s Quay: Thursday.
Flint: Friday.
Holywell: Thursdays and Saturdays.
Mold: Wednesdays and Saturdays. This market is held in high esteem by both traders and shoppers alike and is one of the busiest in the Country.