Mike's Guide to Broughton
Where is Broughton? Approximately ½ way between Chester and Mold (nearer to Chester)
Why would I go there? I grant you that you are unlikely to visit Broughton alone, but if you are passing by or maybe visiting Chester, I'm sure this guide will demonstrate that we are worth more than a flying visit.
Getting There - Heading out of Chester, go over the Grosvenor Bridge (by the racecourse) and pick up the A5104. After passing through Saltney, Broughton is the next village you come to. Alternatively, use the A55 and take the Broughton turn off.
Where to stay - Assuming you are not visiting from Chester, there is a guesthouse in Broughton on the Main Road and the Glynne Arms offer accommodation. Both are on the A5104. Why not stay in Broughton during a visit to Chester? It's quieter, cheaper, access to Chester is just 5/10 minutes, and you have easy access to the rest of North Wales.
Shopping - Broughton Shopping Park is a definite reason to visit us, but by no means the only one. On the park you will find lots of high street shops, with a McDonalds for the kids and the Mill House Pub for the adults. If you prefer a more local touch you will find a small array of stores in the village itself, with loads of parking. There's a cafe/sandwich shop, a small supermarket, a beauty salon, 2 hairdressers, 2 newsagents (one is the post office), a general hardware store and an off license.
Food & Drink - For a relatively small place, Broughton offers a good variety in this category. For takeaway, there is the Broughton Balti offering Indian cuisine and the Broughton Takeaway offering English and Chinese food. If you want to eat in, The Mill House on Broughton Park has a restaurant, and the Glynne Arms and the Offa's Dyke pubs have dining areas.
However,
Broughton has it's own award winning restaurant in the form of the Spinning
Wheel . Found by turning off the A5104 by the Methodist Church, booking is
advisable. There also a cafe inside Tesco and the Royal Oak just up the road
in Kinnerton is very popular if a little expensive.
If you fancy a drink, the aforementioned Glynne Arms, Offa's Dyke, Mill House and Spinning Wheel will all oblige. The Offa's Dyke tends to be a little cliquey and the Mill House is often frequented by 'younger drinkers'. If you want a pleasant no frills drink with the locals try the Glynne Arms or the Kings Head, both on the A5104.
Things to see and do
  Churches
Broughton has two fairly old churches to cast an eye over. Both can be found on the A5104. Broughton Methodist Church (left) dates back to 1880. |
 Walking
For serious walkers and for those just looking for a bit of exercise, the Old Warren is a good start to a pleasant circular walk. Just keep going without turning off after starting from here and you will come to the car park in Hawarden. Follow the footpath sign from here and this leads you back to within 100m of the start. You can stop in Hawarden for refreshments at the ½ way mark, or finish at the aforementioned Spinning Wheel. |
| Cycling/Walking
If it's a leisurely country bike ride you fancy (or you can walk it, but some of it is along roads) then head for Church Road and pick up the cycle path/ bridlepath at the end. Up and over the bridge and then turn right after crossing the entrance road into Broughton Park. This leads you into Bretton. PHOTO ???? Turn right in Bretton and go up and over the A55. Keep going now until you come to a T junction and turn right heading towards Kinnerton. Follow the road all the way to the Royal Oak Pub PHOTO??? and either turn right or stop for lunch. Leaving the Royal Oak, turn right at the next junction and follow it all the way until you come to the A5104 and turn right again. Downhill now all the way into and through Broughton. |
Wildlife
In the village centre, you will find a small road junction off the A5104 near the Kings Head pub. This is Wood Lane, known as Peacock Lane to the locals. A short walk from the main road leads to a farm entrance, where you will find several creatures just 'hanging around' such as peacocks, ducks, etc. This also doubles up as another pleasant walk to Hawarden if you follow the footpath sign as the lane bends to the right. |
| For the Kids
Broughton has two great parks. The 'top park' is found by taking the road opposite the local shops and is called "Swings & Things" and has an extensive adventure playground and playing fields. Chips and pop, whilsting sitting on the benches, from the nearby Broughton chippy is a must for lunch. The 'bottom' park (on Broughton Hall Road) is Broughton Country Park with a smaller play area, but a very pleasant short circular walk to follow. Ideal for smaller kids. Venturing further afield (5 minutes) to Saltney, you can find Alphabet Zoo, an indoor kids play area. |
Anything Else
Broughton is a must for keen plane enthusiasts, and you can often find many like minded people parked near the main roundabout, where you can get a great view of the runway. For golfers wishing to practice, the Chester Golf Centre is just 2 minutes away on the A5104, and has an extensive shop and driving range, as featured on Sky One's profile of local boy Michael Owen. Westminster Park 9 hole is in Saltney. |
