Basingwerk Abbey was founded in 1131 as a house of Benedictine monks from the Savigny district of France - it became Cistercian in 1147. The Abbey was a place where pilgrims were looked after whilst visiting the well, and was protected by Royal Charter.

The building of the Abbey led to the development of the thriving economic and artistic community in Greenfield Valley. The monks were the first to harness the Holywell stream using it to power mills and grind corn. There were also malt houses, weekly markets and annual fairs.

When Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, large sections of Basingwerk Abbey were dismantled. The site was later granted to Henry ap Harry of Llansana, whose daughter married one of the Mostyns of Talacre. During the 18th century, the Mostyn family made part of the abbey habitable, although it subsequently fell into disuse.

Stone from the abbey was used to build the first cotton mill, after which the site was left undisturbed as industry in the valley developed.

Before walking back along the old railway track take a look at the wooden sculptured gates - part of the Millennium Sculpture Trail, and as you return to Holywell enjoy the tranquillity that the valley affords today!

Thanks to: Brian Taylor, Chairman of the Friends of Greenfield Valley Association; Alistair Hemphill, Senior Warden of The Greenfield Valley Heritage Park; and to Ray Cooper, Roy Bennett and Sarah Massey from 'Walk about Flintshire' project. 'Walk about Flintshire' is part of the national 'Walk Your Way to Health' scheme.

For a more detailed history of the Greenfield Valley, read 'The Greenfield Valley - an introduction to the history and industrial archaeology of the Greenfield Valley, Holywell, North Wales' by K Davies and CJ Williams (1986).

There are regular guided bird-watching and industrial heritage tours of the area, which are led by volunteers of The Friends of the Greenfield Valley Association.

To find out more about the birds in the valley visit the Dee Estuary Newsletter.