Often called the Lourdes of Wales, the market town of Holywell has a tradition of pilgrimage going back centuries. St Winifreds Well (which gives the town its name) was founded, according to gory legend, when a local chieftain cut off the head of the lovely Winefride when she spurned his advances. A spring rose from the ground where her head fell, which subsequently became renowned for its healing properties. You are very unlikely to see any beheadings in modern Holywell. It is a much more peaceful place these days, and also boasts the Greenfield Valley Heritage Park, an award winning open-air industrial history museum. Towards the coast, Flint Castle is a fine example of Edward I's colonial building scheme. Although not as famous as the better preserved castles of Rhuddlan, Conwy and Caernarfon, Flint is much quieter and - in its way - just as impressive. Which brings us to another big attraction of the area - its dramatic history. So peaceful nowadays, it's hard to imagine the area as an ancient turbulent battleground between the Welsh and the English. The great earthwork boundaries of Offa's Dyke and Wat's Dyke are testament to the old battles that occurred here. But, all such memories are buried deep in the past. Modern pursuits in the Borderlands are more peaceful - take birdwatching, for example. The coast around here, although not classically beautiful, is of international importance for wading birds. The mudflats act as a kind of giant takeaway for all manner of species. Thousands of birds stop to refuel on their migrations each spring and autumn, and many stay for the winter. The sight of thousands of knot spinning through the air in the half light of a winter dusk, or flocks of oystercatcher exploding in panic as a hunting peregrine falcon plunges into them, will live long in the memory. Finally, it would be churlish of us to mention the borderlands without giving a few words to Chester. This beautiful Roman city is just over the border - in fact some of its western suburbs are in Wales. Whether you choose to wander round the unique medieval rows, visit the zoo, the cathedral or the Roman walls, an enjoyable day will be had.
Borderlands tourism website
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