Holt
A quiet border village on the Dee where a medieval sandstone bridge, a castle ruin and Roman history all sit within a few minutes' walk.
Holt sits on the Welsh bank of the River Dee, facing the Cheshire village of Farndon across one of the oldest bridges in Wales. It has been a strategic crossing for a very long time: the Romans made tiles and pottery here for the fortress at Chester, the English crown built a castle to guard the ford, and Civil War armies fought over the bridge. Today it is a peaceful place for a wander, with a medieval market cross in the centre.
Getting there
Holt is roughly 6 miles east of Wrexham city centre, about 15 minutes by car. There is no station in the village; the nearest is Wrexham General. Buses run between Wrexham, Holt and the Chester area, but routes change, so check Traveline Cymru for current services.
Things to do
Holt Bridge
The red sandstone bridge to Farndon dates from the 14th century and is listed Grade I by both Cadw and Historic England, as well as being a scheduled monument. It once carried a gate tower, demolished to road level in 1770, and today has eight arches. Stand on it and you have one foot in Wales and one in England.
Holt Castle
Begun after Edward I's conquest and completed by John de Warenne by around 1311, Holt Castle was a five-towered pentagonal fortress guarding the Dee ford. In the 1670s much of its stone was carried off by barge to help rebuild Eaton Hall. After a four-year conservation project the remains reopened to the public in 2015, with new steps into the former courtyard and interpretation panels.
St Chad's Church
Wrexham Council dates this red sandstone church to 1395. Look for the 15th-century font and the north door, whose holes are linked to the Civil War fighting of 1645. Each August the village keeps up the old custom of rushbearing, bringing fresh rushes from the Dee in procession.
Roman Holt
Just downstream of the village, a Roman works produced tiles and pottery for the legionary fortress at Chester from about AD 85 to 135. Excavations between 1907 and 1915 found kilns, barracks and a bathhouse, but nothing survives above ground, so enjoy it as part of the village story rather than a site to visit.
Food and drink
The Peal O' Bells on Church Street sits beside St Chad's, with a wood burner, a dining room, a large enclosed garden and food served lunchtime and evening. The White Lion on Castle Street is a small free house popular with locals and good for a pint of local beer. Hours vary, so check before you go, and see our eat and drink guide for more.
Make a day of it
Cross the bridge into Farndon and continue on to Chester; cityofchester.org has ideas. Or combine Holt with nearby Gresford or Overton-on-Dee. See more attractions, events and places to stay.
Holt: questions answered
How old is the bridge between Holt and Farndon?
The red sandstone bridge dates from the 14th century, with documentary evidence pointing to 1339. It is Grade I listed in both Wales and England and is a scheduled monument. It originally had ten arches and a gate tower; today it has eight arches, and the tower was taken down in 1770.
Can you visit Holt Castle?
Yes. After a four-year conservation project the castle remains reopened to the public in 2015, with vegetation cleared, masonry repaired, a new stair into the former courtyard and interpretation panels. Little of the original pentagonal fortress survives, because much of its stone was taken to Eaton Hall in the 1670s.
Can you see the Roman remains at Holt?
Not really. The Roman tile and pottery works downstream of the village was excavated between 1907 and 1915, revealing kilns, barracks and a bathhouse, but no surface features survive today. It is best enjoyed as part of Holt's history while you explore the castle, bridge and church.