Garden Stadt on the River Dee: Bridges, Paths and Park

Garden Stadt brings together the history of the River Dee, bridges, cycle routes and a community park. The Wales Coast Path crosses the river here via the Jubilee Lift Bridge, also known as the Blue Bridge; three National Cycle Network routes meet at the Northern Gateway and Garden City Hub. This gives you different themes to consider when planning your trip: the town’s historical development, a river crossing, and routes with both local and regional reach.

Land reclamation and founding

The first Sealand polder was created in 1753, reclaiming land along the River Dee where Garden Stadt now stands. Around 1917, Sealand Garden City was founded on 12 hectares of land provided by the Summers family. These details mark distinct milestones: land reclamation in the river area and the later founding of Sealand Garden City. A look at Garden Stadt therefore brings into focus both the history of the riverside land and the town’s later development.

Bridges between Garden City and Queensferry

The first bridge connecting Garden City with Queensferry opened in 1897. In 1926, the blue Jubilee Bridge was completed as a rolling bascule bridge; it replaced the first bridge. The years therefore refer to two successive construction phases: 1897 for the first crossing, and 1926 for the later replacement bridge. The Wales Coast Path crosses the River Dee in Garden City via the Jubilee Lift Bridge, which is also called the Blue Bridge. This connects the history of the bridges with a specific route through Garden City.

Cycle routes with local and regional reach

The January 2025 management plan for Flintshire Coast Park describes Northern Gateway and Garden City as an important crossing over the River Dee. National Cycle Network Routes 5, 563 and 568 meet at the hub. The routes’ wider reach is also described: the northern section of Route 568 connects Flintshire Coast Park with northeast England.

In the County of Flintshire, Route 5 runs from Sealand in the east to the seaside resort of Gronant in the north. An eight-mile section between Chester and Connah’s Quay follows a traffic-free route open to cyclists, walkers and wheelchair users. These details show the network at different scales: from the connection at the hub to routes within the county and a route whose described reach extends beyond Flintshire.

Welsh Road Park and activities on Welsh Road

Welsh Road Park in Garden City, Deeside, has open grassy areas suitable for walking, picnics and informal recreation. The park’s facilities include sports pitches, play equipment, a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and a community centre. It therefore offers both open spaces for a relaxing break and designated sports and play facilities.

There is also a publicly accessible area for wheeled sports and other cycling activities on Welsh Road in Garden City or Sealand. If you include both the park and the wheeled-sports area in your plans, note that they offer different things: the park has the grassy areas and facilities described above, while the area on Welsh Road is intended for wheeled sports and cycling activities.

Planned renewal of a historic circular route

The Coast Park action plan proposes renewing an 11.2-kilometre historic circular route. The planned route is intended to connect existing public rights of way and the Wales Coast Path with the Jubilee Lift Bridge, Saltney Ferry and Sandycroft. As the renewal is a proposal in the action plan, check the route’s current condition before setting out.

Guidance for your hotel search

When searching for a hotel in Garden Stadt, you can first decide what you would like your trip to focus on: the history of the bridges, the cycle connections or time in Welsh Road Park. This lets you plan around your interests before comparing specific hotel options.

Discover more destinations: Deeside, Holywell, Sealand, Bagillt, Gronant, Penyffordd, Hope, Hawarden.

For the wider travel overview: Flintshire.