Flint can trace its history back to a charter granted in 1278 by Edward I, shortly after the English king began a campaign to crush Prince Llewellyn and medieval Welsh independence. He built a great
castle at Flint, positioned like all his strongholds to be supplied by sea, and even today Flint’s streets still follow the grid pattern of Edward’s fortified town.

In 1399 the castle witnessed the surrender of King Richard to Henry Bolingbroke, later Henry IV - a scene dramatically described by Shakespeare. It remains one of the most complete and atmospheric castles in the North Wales Borderlands. Entrance to the castle, in the care of CADW, is free and there are walks along the shoreline with excellent views over the Dee Estuary.

In winter look out for the huge flocks of wading birds that migrate to the Dee mud flats from colder climates. In the 19th century Flint was a busy port, trading chiefly in lead ore and coal. Once the Chester to Holyhead rail line was opened, manufacturers came from all over to start factories along the Dee. Today Flint is a thriving shopping centre with an open-air market every Friday.

Two miles south of Flint is the village of Northop, once a welcome haven on one of the great historic roads of Britain - the London to Holyhead Post Road. In its heyday it contained at least six inns, of which just two remain. Northop has a fine old church originally built by Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. Its magnificent battlemented tower is 98 feet tall.

On top of a hill beyond Sychdyn on the outskirts of Mold is Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Wales’ leading producing theatre with its bar, gallery, bookshop, recital room and restaurant. Many of Britain’s finest actors, including Sir Anthony Hopkins, have trod the boards here in recent years. It is part of the County Hall complex which is built on the same architectural lines as the American Embassy in London (as at 2008 - There's a new embassy planned) and containing a county hall, reference library and law courts.

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