Llanasa combines a rich historical heritage with routes for walkers and cyclists. At the Church of St Asaph and St Kentigern, the historical references range from a site considered to date to the early medieval period to features from the 16th century; Gyrn Castle, Golden Grove and the Village Hall add their own stories to the mix. Llanasa is also within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape. This gives you two complementary ways to plan your stay: explore the history of buildings and places, or spend time on the trails.
The church and its historical layers
The Church of St Asaph and St Kentigern in Llanasa is recorded in the Domesday Book; its site is considered to date to the early medieval period. The present-day building, with its two naves, was built in the 15th century in the Perpendicular style. The east windows contain 16th-century stained glass; in the churchyard stands a chest tomb for Sir Piers Mostyn, dating from 1605. The site, present-day building, windows and tomb refer to different points in time rather than a single construction date.
Gyrn Castle: castle and grounds
Gyrn Castle lies in a wooded valley east of Llanasa. John Douglas, a cotton manufacturer from Holywell, rebuilt it between 1817 and 1824. The grounds are registered as a picturesque 19th-century park of historic interest; a circular walk goes around several lakes and wooded areas, while the gardens include a rock garden and a terraced garden. The castle’s building history and the design of its grounds offer two distinct ways to explore Gyrn Castle.
Golden Grove and the history of the Village Hall
Golden Grove is a Grade I listed house in the Community of Llanasa. It was built in 1578 by Edward Morgan. The number 1590 is engraved in the natural stone base of the sundial at Golden Grove. The year the house was built and the sundial engraving mark two separate historical dates.
Llanasa Village Hall has a different history: it was built as a National School in 1857–1858 and opened in 1859. The school later became a church hall and then a village hall. While the sundial bears a single year, the history of the hall shows a change in use.
Landscape and routes around Llanasa
Llanasa is designated a Conservation Area and lies within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape. The North Wales Cycle Path, referred to here as Sustrans Route 5, passes near Llanasa. The area is popular with walkers, horse riders and cyclists.
Two walking route descriptions may help you choose a trail, as they answer different planning questions. A section of the North Wales Pilgrim’s Way runs from Maen Achwyfan to Llanasa and is 2.7 miles (4.3 kilometres) long. The official walk from Gwaenysgor to Llanasa can start either at the Gwaenysgor viewpoint car park or, alternatively, in Llanasa. The Pilgrim’s Way section has a stated distance; the Gwaenysgor walk gives you a choice of two starting points.
Discover more destinations: Whitford, Penyffordd, Carmel, Bagillt, Caerwys, Sealand, Hawarden, Gronant
For the broader travel overview: Flintshire.
