The historic village of Llanasa lies cradled in a fold of hills 450 feet above sea level, a perfect example of a small Welsh community virtually untouched by the passage of time.

Llanasa means “church of Asa” and is believed to have been founded in the sixth century when Asaph, the second bishop of what is now St Asaph, built a church there. The present church, which has an unusual old bell cote with a single bell, dates to the late 15th and early 16th century. Its most remarkable feature is the magnificent stained glass contained in the two large east windows, originally from Basingwerk Abbey.

The village is full of other historical buildings including a fine 17th century hall, tithe barn cottages and former Victorian school. Llanasa is renowned for the quality of its gardens, many of which open under the National Gardens Scheme (pick up a 'Yellow Book' in a Tourist Information Centre for more details).

Detouring right at Leisure Tour Sign 32 brings you into the village of Gwaenysgor. The village is mentioned in the Domesday book and has a 14th century church with a tiny lepers’ window. The church has the only unbroken parish records in Wales, dating from 1538. After exploring, continue a few hundred yards beyond the village and prepare to be stunned by the panorama overlooking the holiday resort of Prestatyn, across to the distant mountains of Snowdonia and across the sea to the impressive North Hoyle offshore wind farm. Return to leisure drive sign number 32

The area around Trelawnyd is dominated by Gop Hill, on top of which is a cairn mound - by far the biggest prehistoric monument in Wales and the second largest artificial mound in all Britain. It stands 14 metres (46 feet) tall and some 250 metres (820 feet) above sea level, commanding tremendous views in nearly every direction. It may have been an astronomical viewing platform, a focus for rituals connected with sun-worship, a monument to the dead or a massive burial mound.

More romantically, local legend says it was the burial site of Queen Boadicea. It can be reached by a footpath from the centre of Trelawnyd.

The route then runs east along the A5151 before crossing the A55 and heading south to Caerwys.

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