Hawarden Estate in Flintshire is fast becoming a must-visit destination for food lovers in North Wales.
While many know it as William Gladstone’s former home, its culinary reputation now rivals its history.
The 3,500-acre estate combines great food, hands-on learning, and relaxed rural stays in one place.
As a result, it attracts epicurean travellers seeking authentic, local flavours.
Award-Winning Dining
At the heart of the estate sits The Glynne Arms, crowned Best Pub in Wales by CAMRA.
The pub champions field-to-fork dining using produce grown across the estate.
Head chef Adam Williams leads a menu of comforting, seasonal dishes.
Highlights include Welsh Rarebit sourdough crumpets, squash lasagne, and standout Sunday lunches.
To finish, guests enjoy sticky toffee pudding with the estate’s own ice cream.
Relaxed Eating at the Hawarden Farm Shop Café
For something lighter, the Hawarden Farm Shop Café offers brunch and lunch menus.
Meanwhile, guests enjoy locally roasted coffee and Hawarden’s own apple juice.
The on-site bakery produces pastries using regenerative Wildfarmed flour.
Afterwards, visitors browse shelves stocked with homegrown produce and carefully chosen gifts.
Learn New Skills
For hands-on experiences, the Walled Garden School runs small, immersive workshops.
Courses cover live-fire cooking, fermentation, pickling, and seasonal food skills.
In addition, monthly foraging walks explore the estate’s woodlands and parklands.
Guests learn how to identify, harvest, and cook wild ingredients.
True Foodie Escape
Food lovers can stay overnight in one of three estate holiday properties.
Both The West End and Gardener’s House feature excellent kitchens and outdoor cooking areas.
However, couples often choose the Beekeeper’s Hut, sleeping two.
It sits within the Walled Garden among apple and plum trees.
The hut enjoys views towards Hawarden Castle and exclusive garden access.
Guests cook outdoors using a wood-fired kitchen and barbecue.
They also relax in the wood-fired sauna and hot tub.
Prices start from £350 for two nights, sleeping two.
A Modern Vision
Charlie Gladstone, William Gladstone’s great-great-grandson, now stewards the estate.
Under his leadership, Hawarden blends heritage with modern sustainability.
“Our aim is to give Hawarden relevance and vibrancy within the local community,” says Gladstone.
“Food and drink provide the most accessible way to connect people with this place.”
Over the past decade, the estate converted much farmland to organic use.
It avoids artificial sprays and restored both the pub and Walled Garden.
Importantly, these good food practices will continue.