The fifth largest town in Flintshire, Holywell sits within the heart of North Wales, next to the River Dee and only a short drive from Chester.
From the beautiful coastline to the busy town centre, Holywell is a quaint town with a strong community and an abundance of things to do.
We’ve travelled around the major landmarks along with the surrounding areas to find out what Holywell has to offer.
For a more visual idea, watch our YouTube video here or read on:
THE TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN HOLYWELL, FLINTSHIRE.
- St Winefride’s Well
If history is what you’re looking for, then look no further than Holywell. St Winefride’s Well is one of the 7 wonders of Wales and where the town of Holywell get its name from (it’s a holy well).
The well is within a Grade 1 listed building and is one of the oldest pilgrimage sites within Great Britain. The well’s water is said to be holy and holds healing powers that can miraculously cure illnesses with reports dating back from as early as the medieval period.
When COVID restrictions ease, St Winefride’s Well accept arrangements for a pilgrimage or group bookings and visitors can bathe within the pool that connects to the holy well.
2. Tea Rooms at Holywell Pet Cemetery
Originally opening as a pet funeral service, the Pet Cemetery now also offers award winning ornamental gardens and tea rooms that boast homemade meals, pastries and cakes.
Their website states “the badly kept secret of our delicious home baked scones, cakes and a variety of homemade meals was soon leaked by ladies who lunch, tourists, ramblers and cycling clubs. After all, this is the only place in North Wales you can take your dog for lunch.”
The Pet Cemetery are doing takeaway food during COVID. Read about their unique cremation requests here!
3. Holywell Golf Club
Situated on Brynford common, about a 5 minute drive from the town centre, the Holywell golf clubs offer an 18 hole golf course challenge. It is one of the highest golf courses in Wales at 800 feet above sea level!
They offer ‘competitive fees, the first class professional service, the excellent catering’. With smiling faces greeting you as soon as you park up, the club is a warm welcome and surrounded by acres of green (and sheep)!
Read about membership prices here.
4. Greenfield Valley Heritage Park
The Greenfield Valley Heritage Park boasts an impressive 70 acres of woodland that involved 2000 years of history. Not like any other ordinary park, the area has lakes, streams, adventure playgrounds, educational actives, spaces to hire, seasonal events and ancient monuments to explore.
There is a heritage museum you can also buy tickets to visit on their website which is right opposite the Basingwerk Abbey – another Grade 1 listed monument. The Basingwerk Abbey are ruined abbeys founded in 1131 and remodelled in the 13th century.
Green Pea Cafe and The Bake House are two cafes within the park that offer beverages, food and cakes.
5. Greenfield Docks (River Dee)
On the coastline of Holywell is the beautiful port of Greenfield Docks that looks out onto the River Dee.
More than 40 local commercial fishermen still work on the estuary to this day! There is a walking path from the docks that follow along the river with amazing coastal views.
6. Talacre Beach
If you follow down the coastline of the River Dee, you will find Talacre Beach – which even has a resort to book into if you want a weekend away.
There is a car park and town with cafes, chippies and Talacre Beach Club before you reach Talacre Beach itself. The sandy beach has views of Point of Ayr lighthouse (also known as Talacre Lighthouse) which is another Grade ll listed building!
The lighthouse may seem familiar as it also featured in the Deluxe dog advert.
Talacre beach is perfect for a day out with the family, a relaxing dog walk or even a beach run – and it’s less than a 20 minute drive from the centre of Holywell.
7. Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy
Ever wanted to drink fresh cows milk from a vending machine? Well, here’s your chance!
During lockdown, on New Years Day, the owners of a dairy farm Einoion Jones and wife Elliw Jones opened Llaethdy Mynydd Mostyn Dairy – 4 self serve milk vending machines.
You can purchase fresh milk or flavoured milkshakes (they have specials released on their Facebook every week) from the machines, all via contactless card payments.
8. Holywell High Street
Right next to the big Tesco Superstore and St Winefride’s Catholic Primary School is Holywell’s town centre high street. Holywell High Street received second in the whole of Wales in the Great British High Awards 2018!
The quaint streets are home to a variety of local and independent shops ranging from cafes to crystal shops to tattoo parlours! Along with your usual big name stores, banks and pharmacies, there is an abundance of services and shops right at your doorstep in Holywell.
A few of our favourite local shops include:
A traditional Turkish barbers! Maz is welcoming to all of his customers and even offers walk ins when he’s not busy. The external decor of his shop adds a touch of colour to the street, attracting attention off anyone who walks by.
Both The Flower Bowl and Waterhouse Flowers are beautiful independent florists within Holywell that offer delivery options for their plants and flowers.
Marmalade Coffee Bar is a striking modern coffee house within Holywell town centre. The botanical decorations and minimalistic design invites many customers, along with their delicious coffee!
A family run butchers with high quality meat, what more could you ask for?
9. Holywell Leisure Centre
The Holywell Leisure Centre is one of the best leisure centres in the whole of North Wales! The facilities offered include a pool, gym, courts, 4G pitch, classes, soft play, a library and a cafe. They also have a variety of spaces that are available to hire including hiring out the pool for pool parties – they have a 45ft inflatable!
The Stamford Gate Hotel is opposite the beautiful The Copper Beeches, a luxury property development by McCrory Holdings on the site of the old Lluesty Hospital. The development has over 70 unique apartments mixing modern design with antique staples from the Grade II listed building.
The Stamford Gate is a family run hotel that offers a beautiful bar and restaurant with indoor or outdoor dining. They have an abundance of food options including traditional pub grub or gluten free/vegan/vegetarian options. Perfectly stated on their website: ‘the hotel is perfect for everyone who would like to start their adventure in beautiful North Wales, Chester or beyond, as well as those looking for a warm and friendly family run hotel that takes care to offer the personal touch’.
Learn even more about the unique town of Holywell on their website.
