While the UK is home to many wonders, it is not very often you will find a castle on your doorstep like in the Welsh town of Flint.
To those who call Flint home, the castle is only a short walk away, however, how many people know the history behind it?
Flint Castle was the first of a series of castles built by King Edward I as he campaigned to conquer Wales against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The area in Flint was chosen for its strategic position in North East Wales and only a short distance away from Chester and the River Dee.
Read Next: Huge fire rages on for hours at derelict children's home
Construction began in 1277, with the work of 18,000 labourers and masons using local Millstone Grit ashlar and sandstone, and was largely completed by 1284. Characterised by its unique design, it is dominated by the large tower at its south-east corner.
The building is surrounded by its own moat and is accessed by a drawbridge, making it a castle within a castle. Built with incredibly thick walls and equipped with all the facilities required to withstand an invasion, it was intended to stand sturdily in the event of an attack.
Ultimately, Flint became the first castle of what would later become known as Edward I's "Iron Ring". A chain of fortresses designed to encircle North Wales and oppress the Welsh.
Today, the castle is freely open to the public to enjoy and take in the historic site. Flint Castle has become known as a public monument for the past 90 years and is now maintained by CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments, a Welsh-government body that protects, conserves and promotes the building heritage of Wales.
Although it holds a rich history and presents a key example of thirteenth-century architecture, it is not given the attention it deserves in comparison to the 'Big Four' [Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech, and Beaumaris] in the northwest.
Flint Castle is also famous as the location of the 1399 meeting between Richard II and his rival to the crown Henry Bolingbroke (later Henry IV), an event immortalised in Shakespeare’s Richard II.
READ MORE:
Pervert pensioner exposed himself to schoolgirls from his window
Liverpool DJ Frank Moran was 'life and soul of every party'
Martin Lewis explains when to use your washing machine amid energy blackout warning
Top 10 most popular baby names for boys and girls revealed with new number one
Smoke billows from jewellers moments after 'ram raid' burglary
