Having completed this 8 cache trail (just under 2 miles), you are entitled to our super historic badge (with thanks to HarveyJJ for producing this for us) depicting the new and old castles in the Hawarden Park (behind the red gate in centre of village).
Hawarden was originally a Saxon settlement, referred to in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Haordine (high enclosure). In the 18th and 19th centuries the production of coal, iron and bricks flourished, and where its famous children Emma Hamilton and John Boydell, Lord Mayor of London spent their early years. Hawarden boasts 2 castles – the ruined 13th century castle used by Edward I as a base for his invasion of Wales. In 1282 it was captured by Dafydd, brother of the Welsh prince, Llewellyn app Gruffydd and in 17th century it was severely damaged in the Civil War. The new castle was William Ewart Gladstone’s home after his marriage to Catherine Glynne, heiress to the Hawarden estate.
Opposite Gladstone Playing fields is Hawarden High School – founded as a single room Grammar school in 1606 with a £300 bequest left by local resident George Ledsham, and now expanded to cater for approximately 1150 students, plus sixth form. In 1998 there was a £4m extension which was opened by the Queen. The school is famous for 3 ex-pupils who became professional footballers – Michael Owen (Manchester United) and the late Gary Speed (former captain and team manager of the Welsh National Team) also Andy Dorman of New England Revolution.
Please take a pen with you.
If you would like to learn more about the history of Hawarden there is a "Hawarden Village Trails" booklet available from the Post Office near the Monument.
