Farndon & Holt | A run down the river Dee to Holt Castle

Just a short one today at a little over 2 miles (2.25), I’m recovering from an injury so for the next few weeks all my runs will be shorter I’m afraid. I’ve included details of a longer route and I point out in the video where you start and end the extra loop which brings the route up to 5 miles.

Anyway an absolutely beautiful spot for a walk or a run, Farndon is located south of Chester in Cheshire right on the England / Wales border not far from Wrexham. With lots of Sandstone walls and the river Dee its a really pretty village and heading down the river and crossing the border into Wales we take in the remains of Holt Castle a 13th Century Medieval castle built by Edward I

The Route

Starting from the free car park on Church lane, turn right passing the church and down the bank onto the path coming out on High Street by the Sandstone bridge over the river Dee. Take a minute to enjoy the view and then turn left on the track beside the river. When you reach the boardwalk follow it passing all the exposed sandstone, presumably from quarrying over the years. At the far end turn right and then at the notice board head straight on over the field back to the river side and turn left on the path that runs beside the river. When you reach the bridge, take the steps to your left and cross the bridge into Wales then take the path on your right down to Dee Lane. You have several options at this point:

1/ Do what I did, turn left up Dee Lane then right into Francis Lane on onto Castle Lane in Holt then turn right on the path marked for the castle.

2/ At Dee Lane, turn right and then take the path on the left at the bend over the field beside the river to the castle

3/ Do the longer route, turn right on Dee Lane and under the bridge then take the path on your right which comes out on Lower road. Turn right and follow the road turning left up the track. Follow the path back to the river at Dee Lane.

Have a look around the castle and then head back up the path to Castle Lane and then go straight on as it becomes Bridge Street over the Sandstone bridge back into Farndon then retrace your steps taking the path on the right back to Church lane and our starting point.