D198: PRESTATYN to FLINT
Thursday 2nd April 2026
Today miles: 17.8 Total miles: 3268.6
I’ve been looking forward to today for a long time. There’s a spectacle on today’s route which I’m really excited about. I’ll explain more as I get a bit closer. I boarded the train back to Prestatyn and was back on the coastal path around 9.30am. There’s a double, high and low promenade on the coast around Prestatyn. Both routes are wet from overnight rain. I chose the lower path as the higher route is covered in a layer of green algae making any walking slippy and precarious. A few minutes later I quickly passed a young couple who were walking very slowly and tentatively along the slime path. The promenade came to an abrupt end and I decided to take to the beach instead of the footpath. The sand was wet and firm and the tide was out making the walking straightforward. I managed to avoid any wet patches and reached the Point of Ayr lighthouse with dry shoes. Shortly after the lighthouse I turned inland and away from the beach and climbed into the dunes and then the sea wall around the Talacre gas terminal.
There’s several conveniently placed seats along the coastal path and I took a short break close to Mostyn Quay. There’s a pretty and well groomed sea wall just beyond Mostyn Quay and then Mostyn. Shortly after passing Mostyn I caught my first glimpse of TSS Duke of Lancaster. I could see this huge structure a mile in front of me and my pace quickened considerably as I was desperate to get a better view. TSS Duke of Lancaster was a former luxury cruise liner built in 1958 by Haaland & Wolff in Belfast and now moored close to Mostyn Docks. I’d read several articles about the vessel and was desperate to have a closer inspection. The current owners had originally planned to turn the ship into an entertainment complex in the 1970’s but they never managed to obtain the proper planning permissions and licenses.
I felt saddened that a former luxury liner should end up in such a poor condition. The well groomed sea wall continued for a further two miles until I reached Holywell. There’s a few more smaller docks and quays to walk around, each containing several boats in various states of repair. I’d have loved to have stopped at a nice pub overlooking the Dee estuary with a cold drink but I couldn’t find one close to the coastal path. I did stop for a longer break just beyond Whelston and looked out across the Dee towards Hoylake and Paisley (England) where I’d hopefully be walking tomorrow.
After Whelston I’ve only got three miles to walk before the end of today adventure. There’s a pleasant walk around Flint marsh before reaching the far less pleasant Flint Industrial estate. There’s a series of figurines dotted along the path, I couldn’t find any accompanying notices to indicate what these are about. There’s a dock in Flint with an inaccessible lock to walk around before I reach the train station. I’ll be spending my final, lonely night in the hostel. I really enjoyed today’s walk which was my last full day in Wales. I got some fantastic views and the TSS Duke of Lancaster was a definite highlight.
