Churches (246) : St Cynfarch and St Cyngar, Hope/Yr Hob

The parish church of Hope/Yr Hob in Flintshire dates to the 12th century with the oldest part of the current church forming the south aisle. The oldest parts of the church date from about 1180 though it is thought a wooden church was previously on the site, which may have been a place of worship since the 9th century. The church is considered to be the oldest in Flintshire.

Much of the church dates from an expansion in the 13th and 14th centuries. The tower was built between about 1500 and 1568.

The church is Perpendicular with a double nave. The church is built from local freestone and sandstone rubble.

Castles (22) : Caergwrle

Caergwrle castle in Flintshire, near the English border was built in the late 13th century by the Prince of Wales Dafydd ap Gruffydd for King Edward I. However, Dafydd rebelled against the king in 1282, the castle was attacked and sabotaged by a retreating Dafydd. Edward gave the castle to his wife Eleanor of Castile. Unfortunately a fire broke out at the castle the following year.

Plans to repair the castle and build a town around it were abandoned and the castle gradually fell into disrepair, the Black Prince noted it was in ruins when he inherited the castle in the late 14th century. A great deal of the castle no longer exists including the west curtain wall and most of the south tower. Much of this stone may have been looted to make millstones.

A little trip into Wales

At the weekend i headed up to north Wales to the village of Cefn-y-bedd. I also walked up to Caergwrle (where i went earlier in the year) and climbed the steep hill up to the castle which i wasn't able to make last time. A tiring walk though the view from the top was worth it. You can see my photos here.

Departing Caergwrle

Departure up in North Wales.

Hope

Last week i planned to go to Wales but it didn't go to plan, luckily this week everything went to plan! I went to Hope (Yr Hob) in Flintshire and the adjoining village of Caergwrle. It is a nice location in a valley with great backdrops both sides. I failed in my research though as there was a castle that i failed to visit, i went right past it too! For another time maybe. You can see my photos here.