Castles, beaches, walks, family days and adventure across Flintshire, Cheshire, Denbighshire and Snowdonia. Choose your home to see how far each place is.
Distances are approximate, measured in a straight line from the home, and are not driving times. From Dee View we also show typical drive times. Always check opening times and travel conditions before you go.
Known as the Queen of Welsh Resorts, with a Victorian pier, a long promenade and the Great Orme, which you can reach by cable car or tramway for panoramic views.
Open access all year. Llandudno LL30 2LP. Check opening times before you travel.
A coastal town with Conwy Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, medieval town walls and the smallest house in Britain.
Open access, castle hours vary. Conwy LL32 8AY. Check opening times before you travel.
An 80 acre National Trust garden known for its terraces, flower displays and colour through the seasons.
10am to 5pm, varies by season. Tal-y-Cafn, Colwyn Bay LL28 5RE. Check opening times before you travel.
A romantic ruined castle with scenic grounds.
Check before visiting. Tan-Y-Gopa Rd, Abergele LL22 8ET. Check opening times before you travel.
A peaceful shingle beach with sea views, good for walking and relaxing, with a cycle path along the coast.
Open access. Sea Rd, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7BU. Check opening times before you travel.
A quieter seaside option with access to Pensarn Beach and the surrounding countryside.
Open access all year. Abergele LL22 7AA. Check opening times before you travel.
An inland surf lagoon with zip lines, climbing walls and soft play for younger visitors. Pre-booking is recommended.
Varies by activity and season. Conwy Rd, Dolgarrog, Conwy LL32 8QE. Check opening times before you travel.
A peaceful spot for walking, cycling and spotting wildlife, with paddleboarding and sailing on the water.
Open access all year. Rhyl LL18 2NS. Check opening times before you travel.
Woodland, lakes and walking trails in Snowdonia, popular with hikers and photographers.
Open access. Near Betws-y-Coed, Trefriw LL26 0PN (Plus code 45JR+Q8). Check opening times before you travel.
A 70ft waterfall reached by a short walk, with cafes and pubs nearby for a relaxed visit.
Open access all year. Waterfall Rd, Dyserth, Rhyl LL18 6ET. Check opening times before you travel.
A seaside town with sandy beaches and the start of Offa's Dyke Path, good for beach walks, cycling and long distance routes.
Open access all year. Prestatyn LL19 7LG. Check opening times before you travel.
Guided canyoning through waterfalls, natural slides and plunge pools, mixing scenery and adrenaline.
Seasonal, booking required. Near Betws-y-Coed LL24 0HD (meeting point varies by provider). Check opening times before you travel.
A gateway to Eryri (Snowdonia), surrounded by forest and rivers and popular with hikers, with Fairy Glen and Swallow Falls close by.
Open access all year. Betws-y-Coed LL24 0AE. Check opening times before you travel.
A fortress with commanding views and an intact town wall.
April to October: Thursday to Monday, 10am to 5pm. November to March: Friday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Castle Hill, Denbigh LL16 3NB. Check opening times before you travel.
Guided paddles on the Menai Strait with coastal views and wildlife, a calmer option for beginners and families.
Seasonal, booking required. Menai Bridge LL59 5DE. Check opening times before you travel.
A wide beach with an iconic lighthouse and a scenic coastline.
Open access. Talacre, Holywell CH8 9RP. Check opening times before you travel.
A historic mountain inn linked to the first Everest expeditions, set among dramatic landscapes and a good base for walking and mountaineering history.
Daily, hours vary. Pen-y-Gwryd Hotel, Caernarfon LL55 4NT. Check opening times before you travel.
Independent shops in converted barns with antiques, handmade gifts and a cafe.
10am to 5pm. Afonwen, Mold CH7 5UF. Check opening times before you travel.
Guided sessions on craggy cliffs for beginners and experienced climbers alike.
Seasonal, booking required. Various locations, for example Llanberis LL55 4TY. Check opening times before you travel.
An award winning eco park with outdoor rides and activities powered by renewable energy, including a giant bouncy pillow. Best suited to younger children.
10am to 5pm, seasonal, check before visiting. Bush Rd, Y Felinheli, Bangor LL56 4QN. Check opening times before you travel.
A pilgrimage site that has drawn visitors for more than 1,300 years, counted among the Seven Wonders of Wales and often called the Lourdes of Wales.
Varies, check what is on. Greenfield St, Holywell CH8 7PN. Check opening times before you travel.
The remains of a Cistercian monastery founded in 1131 and later remodelled, giving a glimpse of medieval monastic life.
Open year round. Greenfield, Holywell CH8 7GH. Check opening times before you travel.
Climbing, zip lining and traversing through old slate caverns, a distinctive way to experience the natural history of North Wales.
Varies by provider, pre-booking required. Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3NB. Check opening times before you travel.
A short, rewarding hike to a hill fort tied to the legend of the red dragon of Wales and to Merlin, with views towards Snowdonia.
Open access all year. Nantmor, Beddgelert LL55 4NH. Check opening times before you travel.
A Victorian prison with interactive exhibits about life inside. It is the only purpose built Pentonville style prison open to the public as a heritage attraction.
Closed during autumn and winter. Clwyd St, Ruthin LL15 1HP. Check opening times before you travel.
Believed to be the oldest timbered town house in Wales. The story starts in 1435 and follows the building from a weaver's hall house to a 17th century lawyer's townhouse and a Victorian school for young girls.
Closed during autumn and winter. Castle St, Ruthin LL15 1DP. Check opening times before you travel.
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with rolling hills and wide views. Cilcain is a popular place to start a walk along Offa's Dyke Path, and the heather is in flower in late summer. Denbighshire Countryside Service publishes walks you can download.
Open access. Cilcain, near Mold (Plus code 5QG3+XW). Check opening times before you travel.
A former copper mine with striking red and orange landscapes, short walking routes and viewpoints.
Open access all year. Amlwch LL68 9RE. Check opening times before you travel.
The highest peak in the Clwydian Range, a favourite with hikers and nature lovers. Especially peaceful on crisp winter days.
Open access. Bwlch Pen Barras Car Park, Mold CH7 5SH. Check opening times before you travel.
Limestone cliffs, riverside paths and picnic spots, with walks for every ability. Stay low and follow the river to Devil's Gorge, or take the steps up to the top. There is a pub across the road and a cafe serving coffee and light lunches.
Open access. Ruthin Rd, Mold CH7 5LH. Check opening times before you travel.
The first of Edward I's Iron Ring of fortresses in North Wales, begun in 1277 and known for its round donjon tower. Richard II was captured here by Henry Bolingbroke in 1399, a scene Shakespeare used in Richard II. There are views over the River Dee.
Open daily, 10am to 4pm. Castle Rd, Flint CH6 5PE. Check opening times before you travel.
A leading venue for drama and the performing arts in Wales.
Varies, check what is on. Raikes Lane, Mold CH7 1YA. Check opening times before you travel.
A well kept 18 hole course with scenic views, open to visitors and members. Booking a tee time is recommended.
Daily. Station Ln, Buckley CH7 2NH. Check opening times before you travel.
A quiet woodland walk to a castle thought to have been built by Llywelyn the Great around 1210. If you follow the boardwalk beside the brook to the car park at the far end, there is a children's play area and a cafe.
Open 24 hours. Stamford Way, Deeside CH5 3BZ. Check opening times before you travel.
Walking trails and mountain bike routes for all abilities, with bike hire and a cafe on site.
Open all year, car park charges apply. Llandegla Forest, Wrexham LL11 3AA. Check opening times before you travel.
A scenic drive and popular cycling route with pull-offs, picnic spots and access to walking paths.
Open access all year. Horseshoe Pass, Llangollen LL20 8DR. Check opening times before you travel.
A colourful Italianate style village with coastal views, woodland walks and gardens.
9:30am to 5:30pm. Penrhyndeudraeth LL48 6ER. Check opening times before you travel.
A historic residential library with guided tours and more than 250,000 books, journals and pamphlets. Bring two forms of ID if you want to use the library.
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm. Church Lane, Hawarden CH5 3DF. Check opening times before you travel.
Trails, a farm shop and events, with meals served at the farm shop. An Explorer trail for families is sold at the shop.
Farm shop around 9am to 5pm, depending on the day. Chester Rd, Hawarden, Deeside CH5 3FB. Check opening times before you travel.
An indoor inflatable park with slides, obstacle courses and bouncing zones for a wide range of ages, handy for rainy days.
By session, booking required. Prince William Ave, Sandycroft, Deeside CH5 2QZ. Check opening times before you travel.
A calm weir on the River Dee within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Llangollen is close by for independent shops, cafes and pubs.
Open access. Horseshoe Falls car park, Llangollen LL20 8BN. Check opening times before you travel.
Industrial heritage and countryside together, with walking paths past the remains of historic lead mining buildings.
Check before visiting. Minera, Wrexham LL11 3DU. Check opening times before you travel.
Traditional steam train journeys along the River Dee with countryside views.
Seasonal timetable, check before visiting. Abbey Rd, Llangollen LL20 8SN. Check opening times before you travel.
A popular Dee Valley town close to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, with canal walks, independent shops and cafes.
Open access, attractions vary. Llangollen LL20 8HY. Check opening times before you travel.
Woodland walks, waterfalls and displays about the area's natural history.
Open access. Rhos Berse Rd, Coedpoeth, Wrexham LL11 3BT. Check opening times before you travel.
Huge tanks of sharks, rays and marine life, one of the longest underwater tunnels in Europe and regular feeding shows.
10am to 5pm. Longlooms Rd E, Ellesmere Port CH65 9LF. Check opening times before you travel.
One of the UK's largest and most popular zoos, with more than 30,000 animals. Pre-booking is recommended, especially at busy times.
10am to 5pm, with seasonal variations. Upton-by-Chester, Chester CH2 1EU. Check opening times before you travel.
A lively town with culture, history and a famous football club. Tŷ Pawb, Xplore! Science Centre and Erddig Hall are all nearby.
Open access, attractions vary. Wrexham LL11 1AY. Check opening times before you travel.
A historic city just over the border in England, known for its Roman walls, Chester Cathedral and the Rows, two tiered medieval shopping galleries. You can walk the full length of the Roman walls, which makes for a full day out.
Open access, shops typically 9am to 5pm. Chester City Centre CH1 2HJ. Check opening times before you travel.
Cliff jumping, swimming and rock scrambling along Anglesey's coast, with guided sessions for beginners and experienced adventurers.
Seasonal, booking required. Various providers, for example Anglesey Outdoors, Holyhead LL65 2LS. Check opening times before you travel.
Hands-on science exhibits that suit younger children and families.
9:30am to 4:30pm. Chester St, Wrexham LL13 8AE. Check opening times before you travel.
A tidal island with big beaches, beachcombing and wide views. It can only be reached at low tide, so check tide times before you go.
Seasonal access, check tide times. Llanbedr LL45 2PJ. Check opening times before you travel.
A medieval fortress with gardens and woodland walks.
Times vary by season, around 10am to 4pm. National Trust, Chirk LL14 5AF. Check opening times before you travel.
An outdoor adventure park with slides, rope swings and trail challenges, best for older children who like climbing and physical play.
10am to 5pm, seasonal, weekends off-peak. Cotton Abbotts, Waverton, Chester CH3 7PH. Check opening times before you travel.
A family farm park with animal encounters, indoor and outdoor play areas, tractor rides and seasonal events.
10am to 5pm, seasonal. Burma Rd, Park Hall, Oswestry SY11 4AS. Check opening times before you travel.
One of the UK's largest ice cream counters, with mini golf, a play barn and an adventure park.
9:30am to 5:30pm. Drumlan Hall, Newton Ln, Tattenhall, Chester CH3 9NE. Check opening times before you travel.
Cycling trails, Go Ape treetop adventures and woodland walks, enough for a full day out.
Open all year, Go Ape hours vary. Delamere Forest Visitor Centre, Linmere, Northwich CW8 2HZ. Check opening times before you travel.
A short list of spots around Flintshire that guests and the team enjoy. Check opening times and book ahead for busy evenings.
Modern Welsh and British cooking with local produce. A good choice for a date night or a special meal.
A reliable all rounder for families and couples, known for quality and service.
A local favourite for high quality pub food and Sunday roasts.
Our pick for Indian food nearby, with consistently good feedback on flavour and service.
Authentic Turkish dishes and a strong grill menu, a little different from the usual local options.
Good quality pub food, strong for Sunday roasts and relaxed meals.
A countryside setting and home cooked food, a good stop after a walk in the Clwydian Range.
A friendly, traditional pub atmosphere.
A top rated casual option for brunch, breakfasts and desserts.
A relaxed daytime stop for homemade food and cakes.
Loggerheads Country Park and the Clwydian Range have rivers, woodland and hilltop views. Pair a picnic with a short walk.
20 to 30 minutes from Dee View
Look out for the Mold Food and Drink Festival, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and local agricultural shows. Many towns also run weekly markets and pop-up events, so check local listings during your stay.
15 to 45 minutes from Dee View
Many local pubs and restaurants have beer gardens and outdoor seating in the warmer months.
Across Flintshire
Chester Christmas Market is one of the best in the region, with wooden stalls, festive food and a traditional feel.
Late November to December, 25 minutes from Dee View
Log fires and hearty meals after a walk. The Boat at Erbistock is about 40 minutes from Dee View, and Sunday roasts are especially popular in winter.
Autumn and winter
Chester, Llandudno and the surrounding towns host Christmas light displays and festive evenings, and some attractions run winter events. Evening visits have the best atmosphere.
November to December
Moel Famau and the coastal paths are peaceful in winter, with clear views on crisp days. Wrap up warm and check conditions before you go.
Autumn and winter
The estuary is always changing with the tides and shifting sediment. It was once a major trading route but gradually silted up, which moved maritime activity towards Liverpool. Today it is a protected nature reserve and an important habitat for migratory birds.
The area sits on the England and Wales border, which gives it a blend of cultures. You will notice English and Welsh place names and road signs in both languages. The borderlands have been contested for centuries.
Flint Castle was the first of a chain of fortresses built by Edward I to control North Wales. Known as the Iron Ring, these castles shaped Welsh history. Flint also features in Shakespeare's Richard II, where the king surrenders his crown.
North East Wales was a major industrial hub, with coal mining, steelworks and engineering shaping the area. Nearby Deeside is still an important industrial centre today.
St Winefride's Well in Holywell has drawn pilgrims for more than 1,300 years and is often called the Lourdes of Wales.
Welsh (Cymraeg) is still widely spoken in the region, and you will see bilingual signs. It is one of the oldest living languages in Europe.
Held each summer, this festival brings performers from across the world together for music, dance and cultural celebration.
North Wales is full of tales of dragons and princes such as Llywelyn the Great. Dinas Emrys is linked to the story of the red dragon of Wales.
A short drive away, this UNESCO listed aqueduct carries a canal high above the River Dee. Built in the early 1800s, it is the tallest navigable aqueduct in the world.
Part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with Offa's Dyke Path running through it, an ancient route that once marked the boundary between England and Wales.
Flint Castle is about 5 minutes away by car. Basingwerk Abbey, St Winefride's Well in Holywell, Theatr Clwyd in Mold and Wepre Park are all within about 15 minutes, and Chester is about 25 minutes away.
Llandudno, Conwy, Gwrych Castle and Bodnant Garden are all within a short drive, and the Little Orme and the coast offer walks. Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia are further inland.
Good indoor options include Inflatabubble in Sandycroft, Xplore! Science Discovery Centre in Wrexham, Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port and Chester Zoo's covered areas.
Chester Zoo, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Cheshire Ice Cream Farm, Park Hall Farm and The Crocky Trail are popular with families.
Moel Famau and Loggerheads Country Park are the most popular near Mold, and Offa's Dyke Path crosses the Clwydian Range. Talacre Beach and Pensarn Beach are good for coastal walks.
