Nantglyn: Circular Walks and History in View

Nantglyn lies at the tip of a spur between two bodies of water, above a small stream. It flows east from the foothills of Mynydd Hiraethog towards the Lliwen. Nantglyn church stands on the edge of a natural terrace above the stream; beyond it, the historic village centre stretches up the hill. This landscape gives the village a distinct shape: the waterways, slope and buildings can all be experienced together on a walk.

Walking Routes and Views

The new Nantglyn route consists of two circular walks that start in the village: Y Waen and Foel Gasyth. They offer far-reaching views of Hiraethog and the northern Clwydian Range. The route has received improved signage; cattle grids have been replaced with gates where possible. Routes and signage may change, so check the current conditions locally before setting out.

The Nantglyn-Yew-Walk is also useful for planning routes: it connects to Taith Clwyd, also known as the Clwydian Way. This means that both two circular walks starting in the village and a named connection to this trail form part of the walking network around Nantglyn. The names help you distinguish between the different route connections when planning.

Getting Around and Getting There

The B5435 runs along the southern edge of Nantglyn. The B4501 from Denbigh joins it there; Denbigh lies 6 kilometres to the northeast. This describes the road location at the southern edge of the village, not its route through the village centre. Nantglyn can also be reached from Dinbych on the Fflecsi bus, route 77. As bus routes and services may change, check the latest information from Transport for Wales before travelling.

Churches and Village History

St James is a medieval Grade II listed church. It retains significant original fabric and has a simple Gothic character both inside and out. It stands near the old stone bridge over the Afon Lliwen, in the centre of Nantglyn. The churchyard contains chest tombs dating from the 1770s. If you plan to visit St James specifically, check in advance whether a visit is possible.

Another historical trace leads to Waen Presbyterian Chapel: it was rebuilt in its present form in 1862. The adjoining school hall was built in 1908 in the style of the chapel. East of the village, St Mordeyrn’s Chapel is considered the earliest foundation at this site; antiquarians have commented on it since the 16th century. A church in Nantglyn was also mentioned as early as 1254 in the Norwich Taxation.

In the churchyard of St James stands the Pulpit Yew, an old common yew (Taxus baccata). Its hollow trunk contains Welsh slate steps leading to an outdoor pulpit with a seat and lectern. According to local legend, the Methodist minister John Wesley preached from the yew in 1790. The tree thus combines a distinctive structure with local lore; the sermon remains explicitly part of the legend.

Nantglyn’s burial places also tell a story: the grave of Dr William Owen Pughe and his family bears a Welsh inscription in the orthography he developed. An obelisk marks the grave of Robert Davies, known as Bardd Nantglyn. Historically, Nantglyn was an ecclesiastical parish in Denbighshire that included the townships of Blaenau, Cwmllwm, Hendre and Plas. This local history adds another dimension to the churches and paths: the parish’s former divisions and its memorials.

Discover more destinations: St. Asaph, Rhuddlan, Rhyl, Llandrillo, Brynsaithmarchog, Llanrhaeadr, Prestatyn, Denbigh.

For the wider travel overview: Denbighshire.