Pen y Ball is a small hilltop hamlet in Flintshire, North Wales. Although it is only around a couple of miles distant from the sea level Dee estuary, it is surprisingly high. Especially in winter. Sitting on the edge of Halkyn Mountain, there is a surprising amount of industrial […]
Flintshire
13 posts
Fancy a steady day trip in Flintshire, North Wales? Without spending a lot of money? Join me as we discover 3 historically very important abandoned castles in Wales. 1 was built by the English Another was built by the Welsh Another was built by the Welsh with financial support from […]
This structure in the Flintshire, North Wales town of Caergwrle is a superb example of a pack horse bridge. Packhorse bridges are a common feature in the British Isles. Before the days of railways and roads, goods were often transported by pack horses which travelled in convoy. There could be […]
Flint Dock is now abandoned, but was once a bustling place of shipping, surrounded by industry. Join me as we explore what remains today, discover the long gone industries and learn why the dock fell into decline. Useful Information Location CH6 5XA Nearest Bus Stop The Ship Hotel McDonalds Nearest […]
Halkyn Mountain in Flintshire, North Wales has been a place of human settlement for thousands of years. Join me as we explore abandoned quarry and mine workings. Discover the secrets of this sometimes wild and inhospitable moorland. Useful Information Location Halkyn Mountain Nearest Bus Stop Nearest Railway Station Nearest Car […]
The Old Halkyn Church yard is reputedly the most haunted graveyard in North Wales. Join me as we discover what happened to the old church, a brief history of the new church and take a look around the old grave yard. Useful Information Location Halkyn CH8 8BY Nearest Bus Stop […]
Why was Ewloe Castle built in dense woodland with higher ground above? A terrible place to build a castle, from a defensive point of view. But that is exactly where Ewloe Castle was built by Llewellyn ap Gruffydd. It would be easy for an attacking army to take the castle […]
The Flintshire coalfield in North Wales was a source of steam coal and house coal for hundreds of years. The village of Bagillt has been the location of at least 11 pits at various times. The largest was Bettisfield Colliery. Bettisfield Colliery opened in the 1870s and closed in […]
King Edward the 1st of England famously built a chain of castles through Wales. Known as the ring of iron, the castles were intended to subdue the Welsh as Edward strived to conquer the country of Wales and its Princes. However, relations between the Welsh Princes and English royalty had […]
Bagillt is a village on the A548 coast road, in Flintshire, North Wales. It has a surprising wealth of history. Dafydd ap Llewellyn was born at Hen Blas Castle. He reigned as Prince of Wales from 1240. Like much of the River Dee estuary, Bagillt has a lot of industrial […]
The Duke of Lancaster is a Turbine Steam Ship which was built by Harland and Wolf of Belfast. It was powered by 2 steam engines, manufactured by Pametrada who also made steam engines for ship such as Aquitania, Queen Mary, Titanic and QE2. First owned by British Railways, she operated […]
Flint is a small, functional town in North East Wales. Thousands of tourists pass through every year on their way to places such as Prestatyn and Rhyl. Few will be aware of the stunning Flint Castle, hidden from view as they pass through Flint. Join me for a tour along […]