Flintshire sits in north east Wales and forms part of the Welsh Marches, a border area between Wales and England. It was historically an area of conflict - and reminders can still be seen in its crumbling castles.
The area is characterised by its villages, busy market towns, castles and golden beaches. Much of the west of the county is made up of the Clwydian Range, which gives the area its distinctive rolling countryside.
House prices add to the area’s appeal. Buyers can expect to pay an average of £178,000, which is a little below the average for Wales overall. You can take a look at the latest figures here.
Learn more about North Wales by checking out our informative guide.
Living in Flintshire: what to expect
If you love the outdoors, Flintshire could be right up your street. It’s home to the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that lends itself to exploration on foot, by bicycle and on horseback. You can also take advantage of the county’s stunning sandy beaches.
Central towns such as Connah’s Quay, Flint, Mold and Buckley have historical markets as well as modern shopping centres. Mold is particularly renowned for its market, restaurants and eateries.
A strong Welsh culture prevails throughout the county. Choirs, galleries, museums and even Welsh singing in the local pubs help to keep the heritage alive.
The hills, mountains and ancient woodland offer a sense of seclusion, but the area is well connected by road and rail. The international airports of Liverpool and Manchester are also only a short drive away.
Where to start your property search
Urban living: Much of Flintshire’s housing stems from the interwar and post-war periods. But a few new modern developments, such as St Davids development in Ewloe, are also springing up.
Connah’s Quay is the largest town in Flintshire and boasts easy access to Wepre Woods. There’s a range of 20th century housing, with rendered 1920s semis on streets such as Richmond Road and short rows of smart terraces on Dee Road. Particularly desirable areas are found around Central Park – look at the family homes on Nant Road and St David’s Drive.
Flint, which used to be the county town, is on the Dee Estuary. Look out for detached properties set back on tree-lined Chester Road, and spacious 1930s detached homes with original fireplaces on the outskirts. For a contemporary home, check out Ffordd Y Fran.
Mold occupies an attractive position between the Clwydian Range and Cheshire. It has occasional Victorian properties as well as inter-war bungalows on Bryn Coch Lane and 20th century terraced homes on Cuncliffe Street and Conway Street.
Buckley sits close to the A55, making it a convenient location for travelling to Holyhead and Chester. Modest terraces line roads such as Forest Walk and Marbury Avenue but there are also modern homes. Take a look at the contemporary townhouses on Bentley Avenue and Nant Mawr Road.
If you want a period property, Holywell is more likely to meet your criteria. Its centre has changed little over the last few hundred years and still has a selection of late Georgian and Victorian buildings. The town of Ewloe also has a selection of Victorian terraces in areas such as Old Aston Hill.
Rural living: Hawarden is one of the most desirable villages thanks to its leafy streets and proximity to Chester. Choose an imposing family home with five or six bedrooms on Bishop’s Court or Castle Rise, or pick up a grand period property with a landscaped garden on The Highway.
Greenfield sits on the river estuary and has a few period cottages scattered on streets such as Greenfield Road. Pick from barn conversions with exposed beams on the outskirts or a cosy semi on Crosfield Road or Glan-Y-Don.
For views over the countryside, consider Penyffordd. Snap up a stately detached home with an extensive garden backing onto open countryside on Bryn Awel, or opt for a bungalow or terrace with river views on Picton Road.
Getting around Flintshire
By rail: Flintshire has good rail links, with services provided by Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales and the North Wales Coast Line. Train stations are located at Flint, Buckley, Hawarden and Shotton.
From Flint, you can travel to Holyhead, Manchester Airport, Llandudno, Cardiff Central, Birmingham International, Maesteg (via Shrewsbury), Llanelli and Chester. Chester can be reached in just 15 minutes.
By car: The A55 is the main artery of the area. It trails from Chester towards the coast, ending near Colwyn Bay.
To reach a motorway, you can drive up the A494, which links onto the M56 and heads north east towards Manchester. You can also use this road to connect to the M53.
By air: Both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester International Airport are under an hour’s drive away. There is a good choice of both domestic and international flights – Manchester alone offers 200 direct flights to locations such as Las Vegas and Dubai.
Things to do in Flintshire
History: Take your pick of historical sites in Flintshire, such as Crucis Abbey, Chirk Castle and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. St Winefride’s Well is particularly notable as it is the oldest continually visited pilgrimage site in Great Britain. The well has been visited for 13 centuries by those hoping to find a cure by bathing in its waters.
Visit Flint Castle, just one of several medieval stone fortresses in Flintshire It was one of Edward I’s strongholds and besieged several times, including during the English Civil War. Wander the ruins and climb the formidable keep to learn more about its role as an instrument of control.
Learn about working life in the Industrial Revolution at Greenfield Valley Heritage Park. You can also explore the surrounding countryside by following the park’s nature walk.
Cultural: The Theatr Clwyd in Mold is the primary arts centre of Flintshire. It includes the Anthony Hopkins Theatre and Emlyn Williams Theatre and has a lively programme of films, concerts and pantomimes.
Join the 13,000-odd people who head to Mold for its annual Food & Drink Festival. It showcases local Welsh produce and has 120 food and drink producers on site. You can also hone your skills by attending a masterclass.
Outdoors: The Clwydian Range, which now incorporates a large amount of the Dee Valley, acts as the gateway to North Wales. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is characterised by its purple heather, imposing limestone cliffs and ancient valleys and woodland. Fell running, as well as walking and cycling, is a popular activity here.
You can hunt for wildlife in one of the area’s nature reserves. The Pwll y Wrach Nature Reserve includes 17.5 hectares of woodland. Visit in early spring to catch sight of the bluebells and make sure you find the River Ennig’s waterfall – it falls into a dark dip known as the ‘witches pool’.
Head to the coastal village of Talacre. It is home to miles of golden sand dunes and the Point of Ayr lighthouse, which was raised in 1776.
Shopping: Markets are held in Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell and Mold. The street market in Mold, held every Wednesday and Saturday, has been in operation since the medieval ages and is still one of the biggest in North Wales.
For high street shops, head to Broughton Shopping. The centre has more than 30 retailers including Boots, New Look and Next as well as a cinema and a host of chain restaurants. And in Flint, there is a retail park with Sainsbury’s and large stores such as Argos.
Food and drink: Flintshire has a broad choice of traditional inns and pubs. The Fat Boar in Mold serves locally-sourced seasonal dishes, such as Welsh fillet steak. It also has gluten-free options and an attractive cocktail menu.
For tea and cake, try Truly Scrumptious café, also in Mold. The vintage-style tea room serves Welsh rarebit and homemade treats.
You can also venture away from traditional cuisine. Quay Fine Dining in Connah’s Quay, for example, serves an eclectic mix of Indian, Thai and Greek food. Signature dishes include barbecued quail with lentils.
Hidden Flintshire
Uncover one of North Wales’ most spectacular natural landmarks near Dyserth village. The Dyserth Falls is a waterfall that sends water plunging down 60 feet – follow the path for the best views.
5 reasons to live in Flintshire
Rolling countryside, ancient woodland and sandy beaches
Historical sites
Affordable homes
Good road and rail links to nearby cities
Quiet villages and bustling market towns
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