Gwlad-y-Mor

Settlement in Flintshire

Wales

Gwlad-y-Mor

Gwlad-y-Mor, located in Flintshire, Wales, is a serene coastal village renowned for its picturesque surroundings and rich history. Nestled on the northeastern coast of Wales, it is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and the Dee Estuary to the east. The name "Gwlad-y-Mor" translates to "Land of the Sea" in Welsh, aptly reflecting its location and maritime influence.

The village is characterized by its stunning sandy beach, which attracts visitors from all over the country. With its golden shores stretching for miles and framed by rolling dunes, Gwlad-y-Mor offers a tranquil escape for beachgoers and nature enthusiasts alike. The beach is also known for its excellent water quality, making it a popular spot for swimming and water sports.

Gwlad-y-Mor's history can be traced back to the Roman era, as evidenced by the remains of Roman fortifications discovered in the area. The village has a rich maritime heritage, with fishing being a significant part of its past. Today, fishing still plays a role in the local economy, although tourism has become increasingly important.

The village is home to a small but vibrant community, with a range of amenities and services to cater to residents and visitors. The local shops, restaurants, and cafes offer a variety of goods and dining options, showcasing the region's local produce and culinary delights.

Overall, Gwlad-y-Mor is a captivating coastal village that seamlessly blends natural beauty, history, and a charming community, making it an idyllic destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat by the sea.

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Gwlad-y-Mor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.212464/-2.970285 or Grid Reference SJ3568. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Path through a polder, Sealand

The path runs alongside the England/Wales border

Eirian Evans

Sealand field

Thousands of acres were reclaimed from the sea in this area by means of dikes and ditches. The process started in the early C18 when a new channel was cut for the River Dee whose estuary had become badly silted. This is a view over a dike into the next field, or polder. Some crops are grown here but much of the land is used for grazing or grass crops.

Eirian Evans

Saughall Methodist Church

Eirian Evans

Shotwick Castle

The mounds are the remains of Shotwick castle, built by the Normans to guard a major ford of the River Dee. Since canalisation of the river in the 1730s, it is now a few miles distant, and the last stones of the castle were removed in 1756. For all the absence of any remains save for the impressive mounds, it's still a powerfully atmospheric place. Its oak trees are magnificent; this one still holding a few of its leaves even in December.

Mike Parker

Motte & Bailey mounds at Shotwick Castle

The castle once overlooked the River Dee and was a strategic point guarding the route across the marshes into Wales. When King Edward I started to quell the Welsh and built castles at places like Flint, Rhuddlan, Conwy and Caernarfon then Shotwick Castle began to lose its importance. Over time it became ruinous and all of the stone robbed so that only the grassy mounds forming the Motte and Bailey remains today. Recently created rights of way (not shown on all maps) have been created in the area.

Colin Park

Field path near Castle Farm, Shotwick Park

Colin Park

Graveyard, All Saints Church, Saughall

David Smith

Saughall churchyard path

David Smith

Stained glass window (Psalm 23) in All Saints Church, Saughall

David Smith

Water tower for former RAF Sealand site

This route runs for 8 miles from Connah's Quay to Chester, it follows the former Mickle Trafford to Dee Marsh railway line. It also forms part of National Cycle Network Route 5.

David Smith

Saughall Methodist church

David Smith

Saughall Service Station

A distinctive building with vehicle entry between the two gabled wings

David Smith

Saughall Co-op supermarket and its car park

David Smith

All Saints Church, Saughall

David Smith

Beware of the tree, Saughall

This tree leans over the pavement; it has been painted with white stripes to be more prominent to pedestrians in darkness

David Smith

St Bartholomew's Church, Sealand

During the 1820s the Glynne family of Hawarden wished to provide spiritual and pastoral support for its growing community but it wasn’t until the 1865, when land was gifted to the people of Sealand by the River Dee Company responsible for managing the land, that construction began. Sealand is an area of land reclaimed from the river Dee following its canalisation in 1734.

Eirian Evans