Northop combines the history of Wat’s Dyke with a Grade I-listed church, historic buildings and parkland with a golf course. The Wat’s Dyke Way Heritage Trail passes through the village; the Church of St Eurgain and St Peter is recognised as an exceptionally fine Perpendicular church. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: walking and landscape history, church art, local history or golf.

Discover Wat’s Dyke on foot

The 61-mile (99 km) Wat’s Dyke Way Heritage Trail runs from Llanymynech in Shropshire to Holywell and passes through Northop. Its total length and two endpoints give the route a broad geographic scope; Northop lies along the way.

North of Soughton Farm, a public footpath runs along the raised embankment, which is formed from surviving remains of Wat’s Dyke. A well-preserved section of the dyke can be seen there. The key question for you is whether to consider Northop as a stop on a long-distance route or to focus on the historic dyke itself.

Church architecture and stained glass

The Church of St Eurgain and St Peter is listed Grade I as an exceptionally fine Perpendicular church. It contains stained glass from the 19th and early 20th centuries by Clutterbuck, O’Connor, Ballantine & Son, Saunders & Co., James Powell & Sons and Hardman. The church thus brings together two distinct cultural and historical aspects: its architectural classification and its stained glass, which spans different periods and features a variety of named artists and firms.

If you are interested in church art, the glazing offers a focus in its own right alongside the architectural form. The named artists and firms span two periods; the stained glass complements the church’s classification as a Perpendicular building.

Building history and listed buildings

Plymouth House dates from 1673 and later served as an inn for travellers under the name The Yacht. The house therefore represents both a precisely dated building and its later role in travel.

The Old Free Grammar School is listed Grade 2*. In thematic comparison, Plymouth House represents an earlier use, while the Old Free Grammar School’s listing provides a clearly defined point of interest. Together with the church, these buildings offer different perspectives on architectural history: a religious building, a house later used as an inn and another protected building.

Parkland, golf and events

Northop Country Park comprises 247 acres of parkland in the historic village of Northop and features an 18-hole championship golf course measuring 6,492 yards. This lets you distinguish the parkland from the sporting focus. If golf is important to your trip, check the operating details before your visit.

The Northop community organises an annual Christmas Fair. If you would like to include the fair in your trip, check the current event date in advance. The Northop Silver Band has been in existence since 1892 and performs regularly in North Wales. As schedules can change, check the latest dates if you are interested in attending a performance.

Transport developments are also part of the village’s history: the Northop bypass opened in 1989, leaving the village peaceful while keeping it easily accessible.

Discover more destinations

Bagillt, Flint Mountain, Llanasa, Flint, Hawarden, Garden City, Buckley, Hope

For the main travel overview: Flintshire.