Flintshire

Flintshire mixes coast, countryside and market towns within easy reach of one another. Talacre and Trelogan sit near the north coast, with dunes and beach walks close by, while Holywell inland offers historic interest and a quieter pace. Mold, the county town, provides shops, markets and a lively centre, and Buckley nearby has its own solid range of everyday amenities.

Smaller villages suit those wanting a slower visit. Northop Hall, Ewloe, Higher Kinnerton and Hawarden are handy bases with good road links, Hawarden also known for its historic estate. Further west, Nannerch, Caerwys and Llanfynydd sit amid rolling farmland, ideal for walking and rural exploring away from busier towns.

Flintshire's places to stay range from town-centre hotels to farmhouse B&Bs, with Mold and Ewloe offering the larger, more corporate options such as Beaufort Park Hotel and Village Hotel Chester St Davids, useful for business trips or as a base near the Chester border. Holywell and Flint have a more traditional mix, including inns like the Ship Inn Greenfield and the Glan Yr Afon Inn, which combine a bed for the night with a proper pub downstairs.

For something quieter, Oakenholt Farm Bed and Breakfast and similar countryside spots near Halkyn suit those wanting easy access to the Clwydian hills without staying in a town. Budget travellers passing through on the A55 are well served by Travelodge Halkyn, while smaller independent options such as The Apartment Ty Canol and Plas Hafod Hotel offer a more personal alternative for longer stays.

Flintshire mixes coast, hills and industrial heritage, which shows in the spread of days out on offer. Talacre Beach and its dunes draw families to the north coast, while inland the Clwydian Hills around Mold give walkers and animal lovers spots like Moel Famau Donkeys and Greenacres Animal Park.

History runs deep here too, with Greenfield Valley Heritage Park near Holywell tracing centuries of industry along the valley trail. For wet days or younger children, Flint has indoor options such as bowling at Jade Jones Pavilion or play at Banana Ben's, and DangerPoint over in Mancot adds an outdoor activity edge. A Conwy Treasure Trail is worth combining with a coastal stop if you're covering ground beyond the county itself.

Flintshire's dining scene runs from town-centre coffee stops to proper country pubs, with Mold acting as the main hub for a night out or a lazy lunch. Edenshine Restaurant and Misty Waters Bar & Grill offer something more sit-down, while Sandwiched, Black Sheep Coffee and Walters Coffee House suit a quick break between errands.

Away from the county's larger settlements, community-run pubs like The Sun Inn hold their own, often becoming the social hub of a village. Elsewhere the Hungry Cow and other independents give plenty of choice for casual meals without straying too far from wherever you're staying.

Flintshire's campsites and glamping spots make the most of the county's mix of quiet farmland and hill country, with the Clwydian Range never far away. Around Nannerch and Rhosesmor you'll find pitches with views towards Moel Famau, while sites near Mold and Llanfynydd suit those wanting easy access to town without giving up rural surroundings.

Working farms feature strongly, with places like Hawarden Farm Shop Campsite and Sandy Lane Farm combining a stay with local produce on the doorstep, and The Little Bitty Farm and Campsite offering a similarly grounded, family-run feel. For something more comfortable, glamping pods at Acorn Holiday Luxury Glamping Pods and Acorns Luxury Glamping Pods, or unusual stays such as Tree Tops and Train Tracks and Wildwood Quarry Retreat, give an alternative to canvas.

Smaller certificated sites, including Chapel House near Holywell, suit those touring by caravan or motorhome who want a simple overnight stop, while Haulfryn Caravan Park offers a more settled base for longer visits. Between Higher Kinnerton and the hills above Nannerch, there's enough variety to choose between a working farm, a woodland retreat or a straightforward touring pitch.

Flintshire's self-catering cottages range from coastal bolt-holes near the Dee Estuary to converted farm buildings tucked into the county's quieter inland pockets. Names like Beach Retreats' Life's a Beach and The Beach Hut point to the pull of the shoreline, while properties such as The Old Dairy Barn and The Piggery show how many cottages here began life as farm outbuildings before being turned over to guests.

Choosing between them often comes down to setting: those wanting sand and sea air will look towards the coast, while cottages like Tir-y-Coed or Ty Clyd suit a more rural, walking-based stay. Smaller places such as Ayr Cottage and Butterfly work well for couples or short breaks, and Flintshire's compact size means wherever you base yourself, the rest of the county stays within easy reach.