Flint Castle
Flintshire, Wales
Photo: Gary Bealr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: AJ Marshall, CC BY-SA 4.0 · CJ DUB, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- Cadw
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Flint, 0.2 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- First of Edward I's Welsh castles; detached great tower; free
Pinpoint
Castle Rd, Flint CH6 5PE
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| 1st April - 31st March | 10am-4pm |
Last entry: 30 minutes before closing
- Closed
- Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
The first of Edward I's chain of Welsh castles, begun in 1277, with a distinctive great tower standing detached from the rest of the walls on the Dee estuary.
At a glance
Who to know
Edward I · the king who began the first of his Welsh castles here in 1277
Worth the trip
The detached great tower - an unusual design feature reviewers climb for wide views over the estuary.
Before you go
Free to enter with a free car park nearby - good for a picnic - and reviewers report a friendly resident cat that tends to follow visitors around.
What visitors say
Flint Castle reviews · 4.6 / 5 across 1,320 Google reviews
Visitors consistently praise Flint Castle's estuary views and its distinctive round tower design, describing it as a compact ruin that's quick to explore but rewarding, especially from the observation deck at the top.
Entry and parking are free, which several reviewers appreciate, and there are no notable complaints across the reviews.
“Lovely here. Nice views from the observation deck at the top of Flint Castle. A small Castle so it doesn't take to long to look around.”- Peter Stead, visitor review
Within reach of Liverpool (12 miles), Manchester (40 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Getting in - what Cadw says
Terrain Level 2 – Easy. One dedicated disabled space approx 100 metres away.
Taken from Cadw’s own website and read 28 July 2026 - check the current version. Access can change with building work, weather and staffing - if the visit depends on it, ring ahead.
History
Edward I · 1277
Edward I commenced Flint in 1277 as his opening fortress in the conquest of north Wales. Its distinctive detached tower on the Dee estuary could be held independently if the outer walls fell.
Drawn from Cadw's own page.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “Amazing place to explore and for picnic with family.” - Ify Khan
Common questions about Flint Castle
Where is Flint Castle?
Flint Castle is in Flintshire, Wales, at Castle Rd, Flint CH6 5PE.
Is Flint Castle free to visit?
Yes - Flint Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Cadw. There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
What is the highlight of visiting Flint Castle?
The detached great tower - an unusual design feature reviewers climb for wide views over the estuary.
Is Flint Castle a ruin or still intact?
Flint Castle is a ruin - First of Edward I's Welsh castles; detached great tower; free.
