I visited the tiny town packed with charity shops and mountain views | UK | Travel

Nestled beneath a mountain lies a modest town that rarely features on travellers’ itineraries. Buckley (or Bwcle in Welsh) in Flintshire, North Wales, is positioned along the A549 road, three miles from Mold, with the stunning Snowdonian mountain range visible on the horizon.

This was a town I’d never considered visiting previously – truthfully, I remained unaware of its existence until my son signed up for ballroom dancing classes at the studio on the main high street. Since then, nearly every Saturday has afforded me the opportunity to wander its compact streets, occupying myself while my son glides across the dance floor. This experience made me realise others are overlooking this charming afternoon destination, brimming with charity shops, market stalls and a delightful bakery.

Buckley boasts numerous charity shops, and while some perceive this negatively, I absolutely adore it.

I’m certainly amongst those who relish discovering a bargain, and these pre-loved stores are immaculately maintained and abundantly stocked, making them ideal for locating that perfect picture frame, an elusive lemon squeezer rarely found in high-street retailers, or a practically new jumper for the chilly weather.

During one visit last year, my economical shopping expedition yielded a novelty toothpick holder, a magnificent vintage world map in a frame, a stunning black Wedgewood lidded pot and a meat thermometer – all for under £15.

However, if charity shop hunting doesn’t appeal, the Buckley Precinct periodically hosts a market featuring stalls from welcoming, talented artisans who’ve crafted an array of stunning goods, ranging from key fobs to blankets.

Within the Precinct, you’ll discover the butchers, Bistre Farm Shop, offering an assortment of traditional meat cuts alongside ready-prepared portions.

I regularly pause at this shopping centre for a pot of tea and cake at Gerrard’s Bakery. The team is delightful and hospitable, serving scrumptious sausage rolls, pies, and our favourite – ice buns as large as your head.

Historical records indicate people have inhabited Buckley since before the Bronze Age, and considering the mountain vistas, this comes as no surprise.

Throughout the centuries, it served as an industrial hub for pottery, brickmaking and coal mining, and you could dedicate an afternoon wandering the town with the heritage guide, uncovering fragments of history at every corner.

From the war memorial, St Matthew’s church, the former library, and the swimming baths, Buckley may be small, but it possesses a remarkable tale to share.

And if you fancy some entertainment alongside your history, the Tivoli serves as the town’s live music venue which initially opened during the 1920s as a cinema and theatre.

It has since received multiple refurbishments, and numerous celebrated and distinguished musicians have performed on its stage throughout the decades, including Oasis in 1994.