3 days ago
I visited overlooked Welsh town that's packed with quirky shops
Nestled in the shadow of a mountain lies a town that many may overlook. Buckley, in Flintshire, North Wales is just three miles from Mold, with the stunning Eryri mountain range within view.
I had never considered exploring this town before, truth be told, I wasn't even aware of its existence until my son began ballroom dance lessons at a studio on the main high street. Since then, nearly every Saturday, I've had the delight of wandering its small streets while my son twirls around the dance floor.
It's made me realise that people are missing out on this charming afternoon filled with thrift shops, market stalls and a scrumptious bakery.
Buckley boasts several charity shops, and while some may view this as a downside, I absolutely adore it.
I am definitely one of those people who loves to find a bargain, and these secondhand stores are well kept and well stocked, making them perfect for finding that perfect photo frame, a lemon squeezer that is so hard to find in high-street shops, or an almost new jumper ready for when the weather turns colder, reports the Express.
In my last visit, my thrifty shopping haul brought home a novelty toothpick holder, a fantastic old world map in a frame, a beautiful black Wedgewood pot with a lid and a meat thermometer, all for less than £15.
But if charity shop browsing isn't your thing, the Buckley Precinct occasionally runs a market with stalls from friendly, creative people who have handmade a variety of beautiful items, from key fobs to blankets.
In the precinct, you will find the butchers, Bistre Farm Shop, who sell a variety of traditional cuts of meat as well as ready-to-eat portions.
I also tend to stop at this shopping centre for a pot of tea and a cake at Gerrard's Bakery. The staff is lovely and welcoming, selling delicious sausage rolls, pies, and our favourite-ice buns as big as your head.
According to research, people have lived in Buckley since before the Bronze Age, and given the views of the mountains, I am not surprised.
Over the years, it has been an industrial centre for pottery, bricks and coal, and you could spend an afternoon strolling the town with the heritage guide, finding snippets of history at every turn.
From the war memorial, St Matthew's church and, the old library, and the swimming baths, Buckley may be little, but it has a big story to tell.
And if you want a bit of entertainment with your history, the Tivoli is the town's live music venue which first opened in the 1920s as a cinema and theatre.
It has since undergone several updates, and many famous and well-respected musicians have graced its stage over the years, including Oasis in 1994.
