There are several theories about the origins of this name (formerly Cat Hole). One is that a cat was found in one of the mine shafts locally; another is that the name derives from the term ‘cat-hole’, the narrow entrance through which buckets and men could be lowered into mineshafts.

An alternative explanation is that tin miners from Mousehole in Cornwall, brought to the district for their mining knowledge and expertise, named the settlement ‘Cathole’, as a humorous, or perhaps wistful, nod to the home they’d left behind.

The names of Cadole and Cat Hole were used in parallel between the 1930s and 1950s, and road signs still showed Cat Hole until as recently as the early to mid-50s, before the name of Cadole was formally recognised by the county in around 1954.

Interestingly, there is a lode, or vein, of metal ore in the nearby Rhes-y-Cae lead mines (now redundant) called the 'Cathole Lode'. This is a lovely area to visit, being right on the doorstep of Loggerheads Country Park, where you will find delightful woodland walks along the River Alyn (though this often disappears down ‘swallow holes’, limestone fissures in the river bed, when water levels drop during the summer months), together with fascinating glimpses of the mining activity which once took place here.

For refreshments, you will find Caffi Florence at the park itself, or there are two nearby pubs, The Colomendy Arms, and We Three Loggerheads.

As with Cadole, there is some conjecture as to how the town came by its name, but the most widely accepted theory appears to be that it was named after James Connah (1732 – 1787), a local industrialist.

However, other theories put forward are that the name may have come from a former landlord of the Old Quay House, from a chandler with a store on the docks, or from an early owner of the dock, called Mary Connah. People crossing the river from places such as Parkgate would ask to be taken to “Connah’s Quay”.

The port of Connah’s Quay was developed following the creation of a deep water channel, called the River Dee New Cut, in 1737. This attracted many new industries to the area, and for many years, boat-building yards and associated businesses, including ships chandlers, thrived here.

The dock was even served by its own railway, which carried pottery, bricks and coal from the nearby town of Buckley. Until 2020, the wings of the Airbus A380 were carried down river by barge from the Airbus factory in Broughton to the port of Mostyn, to be transported to its sister factory in Toulouse, France, for final assembly. Today, the riverscape is dominated by Tata Steelworks (formerly John Summers Steelworks) and Connah’s Quay Power Station, but small fishing boats can still be seen tied up to iron rings along the old quay wall.

Whilst here, call into the Kathleen and May Heritage Centre, which houses a wealth of information, and be sure to pop into Yvonne’s Café, where you will find a lively atmosphere, great home-cooked food, and some fantastic photographs of local scenes – you might even find yourself chatting to one of the town’s fishermen! Boat trips from the Heritage Centre to Chester are a great way to experience the sights and sounds of the river.

The town is also home to Wepre Park, which is extremely popular with locals and visitors alike, and includes the intriguing remains of Ewloe Castle, now sleepy and peaceful, but once fiercely fought over by the English and Welsh, due to its strategic location. Recorded in the Domesday Book, the 160 acre park offers delightful woodland and riverside walks, a waterfall, ‘The Rosie’ fishing pond, a children’s play area, and a Visitor Centre and café, where you can learn more about the history of the park, and enjoy some delicious refreshments. Wepre Park also has a resident ghost, known as Nora the Nun! She is said to linger around the Rosie pool and has been witnessed by many people over the years, gliding above the waterfall and wandering through the castle grounds.

One story goes that she made the heartbreaking decision to throw her illegitimate baby into the Rosie pool, before drowning herself. Over the years, many people claim to have heard creepy sounds and spooky humming in the park and woodland, while others believe they have caught Nora’s spectral image on camera.

A Connah’s Quay Heritage Trail links the park and town to the riverside, and is a fascinating walk through the history of the area. There are two options: the Main Route covers a distance of 6.5 km/4 miles and takes around 2 hours to complete, and the Short Route, covering a distance of 5km/3 miles, takes around 1.5 hours. Information leaflets detailing the routes, and containing historic photographs and a wealth of local information, are available from the Council Offices, Quay Building, Fron Rd, Connah's Quay CH5 4PJ.

Next door to Cadole, and hard on the Flintshire-Denbighshire border, the village of Loggerheads is the location for Loggerheads Country Park, which follows the course of the picturesque River Alyn, a tributary of the River Dee. Besides being a wonderful place for walking and nature watching, the park is also the starting point for a number of waymarked paths and trails.

Head west to Moel Famau Country Park and Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, or take a stroll through woodland along the Leete Path to the pretty village of Cilcain, via Devil’s Gorge. Other paths take you to Cadole and Pantymwyn in the east, and Maeshafn and the tranquil Moel Findeg Nature Reserve to the south, where you may be lucky enough to spot some wild Carneddau ponies.

The name of Loggerheads has an intriguing origin, and is believed to have stemmed from a boundary disagreement between the lordships of Mold and Llanferres. The delineation of this boundary is marked by Carreg Carn March Arthur, a strange rock formation, which can be seen at the roadside on the Mold to Ruthin road, not far from the entrance to the Country Park. According to local legend, this rock bears the hoofprint of King Arthur's horse, left behind after a mighty leap from nearby Moel Famau. A stone arch over the rock bears a plaque which reads: ‘The stone underneath this Arch, Carreg Carn March Arthur, was Adjudged to be the Boundary of the Parish and Lordship of Mold in the county of Flint and of Llanverres in the County of Denbigh by the High Court of Exchequer at Westminster 10th November 1763’

As with Cadole, refreshments are available from Caffi Florence, The Colomendy Arms, or We Three Loggerheads (known locally as The Loggs). This pub is famous for its inn sign, the original of which was once thought to have been painted by Richard Wilson, a founder of the Royal Academy of Art, and known as the ‘father of British landscape painting’.

The painting is said to depict a wealthy local landowner and a parish priest, who had fallen out, or were at loggerheads, with each other. In recent years however, experts have proved that the materials used to paint the sign were not available at the time the sign is supposed to have been painted. Wilson died penniless in 1782, and is buried at the magnificent St Mary’s Church, in Mold, built at the behest of Margaret Beaufort, grandmother of King Henry VIII. The sign outside the pub today is modern, showing two heads back to back. The third person at Loggerheads is you, the onlooker!

The attractive village of Lixwm, surrounded by lush, green farmland, and with fine views of the Clwydian Range, is a former mining village. Again, a name coined by miners, this time by those from Derbyshire, who also came to work in the lead mines of the area. They dubbed the village a ‘likesome’ place, meaning ‘agreeable, or pleasant’, but because of the local dialect, it was pronounced ‘licksome’. The village was called Licksome Green throughout the 19th century, though the ‘Green’ was ultimately dropped.

This is a great area for horse riding, cycling, and walking, with Offa’s Dyke and the Clwydian Way nearby, and the wide, open spaces of Rhes-y-Cae and Halkyn within easy reach. Refreshments are available at the 17th century Crown Inn, at the heart of the village.

Naid y March, which translates as ‘Horse’s Leap’ is a settlement just outside Brynford. The area has been known by this name since at least 1613. Standing within a metal enclosure, 2 stones face each other across a now disused mineshaft. These reputedly mark the span of a 22ft leap taken as a bet in the early 1500s by wealthy local man, Thomas ap Harri, who daringly made the leap across the mineshaft on a large farm horse. His son, Harri, later went on to acquire nearby Basingwerk Abbey on the dissolution of the monasteries in 1540.

The stones have been moved at least twice, and now stand 29ft apart. During a dig in 1983, archaeologists established that the stones date from the Bronze Age. As no similar remains were found during the dig, it is assumed that the stones were brought to the site, possibly to mark the said leap. Records show that the stones, now only a couple of foot or so high, stood at a height of 4½ft in the 1960s.
Lead was mined in the area from Roman times until as recently as 1987, and the Naid y March mineshaft is just one of many found in the area. Look out for the numerous mounds and bumps around about, which show the extent of the mining activity which once took place here.

At the time of writing (September 2023) local pub, The Druid Inn, is undergoing extensive refurbishment and will not re-open until early 2024. Refreshments are available at the 18th century Fox Inn, a short drive away at the picturesque village of Ysceifiog, or at the town of Holywell, which is not too far away, where you will find a selection of eateries.

The place names of Flintshire hold a rich history, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the region's past. From the ancient origins of Naid y March, to the industrial heritage of Connah's Quay, each name tells a story that connects us to the people who have lived here and shaped this area for centuries, deepening our understanding of the region, and connecting us to the past.

So, next time you pass through Flintshire, take a moment to appreciate the significance of the names around you, and the stories they hold. Who knows what hidden tales may yet wait to be discovered?