Flintshire Circular Walks on the Wales Coast Path

Flintshire Circular Walks on the Wales Coast Path

Published on October 2, 2025

8 min read

Circular Walks on the Flintshire Coast

Flintshire is bounded in the north by the Dee Estuary, one of the largest estuaries in the UK and a Special Area of Conservation, separates England and Wales. To the east lies Cheshire, to the west lies Denbighshire and to the south by Wrexham.

The Flintshire section of the Wales Coast Path is 28 miles / 46 km long. It starts where the border with England meets the River Dee, with a link branching to meet the King Charles III England Coast Path from Hawarden Bridge.

The path passes through Queensferry and Connah’s Quay before joining the coast at Flint on the Dee Estuary. From there it continues through Bagillt, Greenfield and Mostyn and rounds Point of Ayr before meeting its Western edge at the Gronant Dunes.

This is a highly accessible section of the Wales Coast Path which primarily follows well surfaced tracks along the fringes of urban and industrial areas. The Dee Estuary, will be your backdrop to this flat section of the path. There are plenty of remnants of the area’s rich industrial past, from a thriving steel and coal industry, to its present day more advanced forms of manufacturing like aerospace and automotive industries. In many places the path also traverses areas of rich coastal habitat and provides important opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy Flintshire’s coastal environment.

Don’t let the lack of typical coastal vistas put you off from visiting here – the rich industrial past is celebrated and plays a key role in the area’s maritime history–take your time to stop by the information boards, statues and remnants of the past. Key landmarks are Flint Castle, Point of Ayr lighthouse (famous for an advert for Dulux paint) and the Dragon fire beacon and Talacre Warren.

Bagillt and Bettisfield

Embark on a delightful 1.9-mile circular stroll around Bagillt, where the echoes of its industrial past mingle with stunning views of the Dee Estuary. Starting at the charming Stag Inn in Bagillt, you’ll be greeted by local history at a nearby noticeboard.

As you traverse the village, cross the A548 with care and meander down Station Road, where the remnants of the Cambrian Brewery whisper tales of old. A footbridge leads you over the railway, offering a chance to admire the saltmarsh below—a perfect spot for a moment of reflection.

Following the Wales Coast Path, you’ll find yourself amidst nature, with intriguing insights about the Natterjack Toad Reserve. Continue to the impressive Bagillt Beacon, shaped like a dragon, where panoramic views invite you to soak in the beauty of the landscape. You’ll be greeted with the Dee Estuary and over to the Wirral.

The Pick Axe Sundial

Don’t miss the quirky pickaxe sundial, a nod to the area’s mining history and the red brick building, which are the remains of the Bettisfield colliery operated from 1872 to 1933. As you stroll back towards Bagillt, you’ll pass homes, a historic church, and Forresters Hall, the first ‘Chocolate House’ in Wales, dating back to 1879.

The first ‘Chocolate House’ in Wales

Concluding your adventure at the Stag Inn, you’ll leave with a sense of connection to this village and its storied heritage. Read detailed route description for Bagillt and Bettisfield

See the Bagillt and Bettisfield Circular Walk on OS MAPS

Top Tip

Options: If you have a few spare minutes, make a quick detour to Milwr Tunnel, where water gushes towards the estuary. It was originally built to drain the lead mines in the local area.

Flint Marsh

Enjoy a delightful 2.8-mile jaunt around Flint, where history and nature come together beautifully. Starting at Flint Railway Station, you’re just steps away from the town centre.

Begin your walk by crossing the footbridge to Castle Street, where you can wander towards Flint Castle. Feel free to explore this historic gem—founded in 1277 by Edward I—before continuing your walk.

The path leads you into a tranquil woodland along the Wales Coast Path, offering lovely views back at the castle and across the saltmarsh. Don’t miss the touching sculpture of a WWI soldier as you stroll through the greenery.

You’ll soon arrive at Flint Dock, a significant spot from the 1800s that once facilitated lead and coal exports. After taking in the area’s history, follow the path as it curves around to Flint Point, where the birch trees and fire beacon provide stunning vistas of the Dee Estuary.

As you continue through the woods, look out for signs guiding you back to Flint. A choice of routes awaits: retrace your steps or follow a cycleway that leads to the bustling A548.

Conclude your walk at the impressive Town Hall, where you can admire the magnificent Council Chamber. After a quick look at the noticeboard for local insights, you’ll be just a short stroll back to the railway station. This leisurely walk is a perfect blend of history and nature. Read detailed route description for Flint Marsh

Explore this Circular Walk on OS MAPS

Top Tip

Parking is at Flint Railway station, Flint Castle and other locations around the town. There are daily bus services linking Flint with Chester, Holywell, Prestatyn and Rhyl.

Point of Ayr

Point of Ayr Lighthouse – a short walk from the car park for this route

This level and easy 2.6 miles / 4.2km walk is all about change. Explore a former colliery at Point of Ayr where coal was once mined deep beneath the sea, drawn to the surface by hardy pit ponies and loaded onto ships for export. The site has been completely cleared and is now equipped with a lovely coastal path overlooking an important nature reserve.

Breathe the sea air while striding along a grassy embankment from Talacre, where marshlands extend to the RSPB Point of Ayr nature reserve. Interesting noticeboards explain about the history and heritage, and a bird hide can be visited that contains information about the range of species that might be spotted. This is one of only two sites on the coast of Wales where little terns breed.

Enjoy the artwork that has been fixed to railings alongside the coastal path, passing a former marker buoy now marooned onshore. Heritage information boards and a pit wheel sculpture remind visitors that this was once a thriving colliery and busy quayside. Expanses of concrete are being reclaimed by nature, though part of the site has been developed as a gas terminal.

A path follows a railway line inland, crossing what was once a branch line to the former colliery. A sturdy footbridge over the line is worth climbing simply to enjoy a wider view of the surroundings. Business units are reached at Granary Court, developed from grain storage buildings on a large farm dating from the early 18th century. The final road-walk leads through the resort village of Talacre. Read the detailed route description for Point of Ayr.

Top Tip / Options Take binoculars for birdwatching on the RSPB Point of Ayr nature reserve. Car parking, bus services, food and drink are available at Talacre.

Explore this Circular Walk on OS MAPS

Top Tip

Options: If you have a few spare minutes, make a quick detour to Milwr Tunnel, where water gushes towards the estuary. It was originally built to drain the lead mines in the local area.

Talacre Warren

The sandy beach and dunes of Talacre Warren can be explored on an easy 3 mile / 5km walk, passing an iconic leaning lighthouse doing its best to survive storms in an exposed location. If the tide is out, the full walk can be enjoyed, but if the tide is in, or if you find yourself being sand-blasted by strong winds, a sheltered 1.5 mile / 2.5km walk behind the dunes is available instead.

Leave Talacre by following the Wales Coast Path along a raised embankment and a wooden walkway. Noticeboards explain about wildlife and heritage features. Aim for a low-lying gap in the dunes to reach the beach, where a left turn leads past the Point of Ayr lighthouse. While there are footpath signposts along the beach, the tide often washes past them, pushing walkers close to the dunes.

Another wooden walkway leads inland through the dunes to the Presthaven Beach Resort. Keep left along a road to pass through the resort, continuing along a signposted cycle path that lies well behind the dunes of Talacre Warren. Watch for Carneddau ponies grazing the poor grasslands, controlling scrub bush growth, leading to an increase in wildflower diversity.

The cycle path leads back to Talacre, but if you are intrigued by the dunes and wish to explore further, then start the walk again. Instead of heading for the gap in the dunes to reach the beach, turn left and follow a path behind the dunes, leading to a small pool where a colony of natterjack toads thrive. Continue straight ahead along the path, turning left and left again. This links with the cycle path that returns to Talacre. Read the detailed route description for Talacre Warren

Explore this Circular Walk on OS MAPS

Top Tip

Check the tide times, and on the rare occasions that a very high tide prevents walking along the beach, enjoy the shorter walk tucked safely behind the dunes.

We hope you have enjoyed these Circular Walking Routes in Flintshire. There are many more exciting walking routes available to visit across Wales including all of the fabulous Welsh Coast Path Circular Routes.