Things to do in Ruthin

Nestled in the Clwydian hills is the charismatic town of Ruthin. It’s a characterful and charming town that is very popular for visitors. Some might say there’s a magic about Ruthin. It’s something to do with the way all the streets seem to lead back to hilltop St Peter’s Square – surely one of Britain’s loveliest market locations. Or something to do with the iconic buildings that break the skyline as you move around the town.

Ruthin’s name comes from ‘Rhudd’, meaning deep red, and ‘din’ meaning fort. The town is like a little compact centre of Welsh history!

Let’s look a bit closer at what it has to offer and some of the things to do in Ruthin.

Ruthin Town Trail

The Ruthin Town Trail is a great way of exploring the town. It is a circular walk that starts at Cae Ddôl water meadows and takes you around the town on a fascinating architectural journey from the oldest timbered town house in Wales to a strikingly contemporary award-winning craft centre.

On the way round, take the challenge to discover the ten spy holes set into Ruthin’s town walls – which hide details of Welsh mythology. You’ll also see lots of QR codes. Scan them into your mobile to find out more thanks to the Wiki Ruthin project.

The Ruthin Town Trail route is approximately 1.5 miles long and takes around 1 hour to complete.

Cae Ddôl

Start at Cae Ddôl, a lovely little park that is well worth a look. You can take a walk beside the River Clwyd as it winds its way through the natural water meadows. Watch the ducks and swans on the lake. And if you have kids in tow, take them to the playground or the skate park.

Ruthin Gaol

Ruthin Gaol has stood at the bottom of Clwyd Street since 1654. The forbidding Pentonville-style wing at the back of the courtyard, the only one in Britain open to the public, was built in 1868. You can explore jail and find out what the prisoners ate and shudder at the punishments they suffered. You can even peek in the condemned man’s cell, if you’re brave enough.

The Old Courthouse

The Old Courthouse is a magnificent half-timbered building, constructed about 1421 to replace a building burned down by Welsh freedom fighter Owain Glyndŵr. Now it’s a community hub hosting displays about the building’s history and a busy programme of exhibitions. Nearby is a huge stone called Maen Huail, upon which King Arthur is said to have beheaded a love rival.

Visit the website here – www.theoldcourthouse.wales

Nantclwyd y Dre

As you walk along Castle Street you will see many splendid period houses. The jewel in the crown is Nantclwyd y Dre, the oldest timbered town house in Wales.

From about 1435, it was continually occupied for more than five centuries – the iconic front porch was added by Eubule Thelwell in 1693. Seven superbly restored rooms together tell the story of Nantclwyd’s “Seven Ages” and the people who lived through them.

Today it is a fantastic museum, where you can see what it was like to sleep behind waxed linen windows in the 15th century and have a look at its 17th century toilet!

You can also take a stroll around the fully restored Lord’s Garden, first mentioned in 1282 and once an orchard and kitchen garden for Ruthin Castle next door.

Visit the website here – www.nantclwydydre.co.uk

Ruthin Castle

Walk through the gateway into the grounds of what is now a luxury hotel and spa (they won’t mind) you can imagine the tales this historic building has to tell.

Ruthin Castle was originally built during the late 13th century by Dafydd ap Gruffydd, the brother of Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, on a red sandstone ridge overlooking the valley. The castle was then seized by Edward I of England in the late 13th century.

The castle survived a 16-week siege during the English civil war. Back in those times its name was Castell Coch yng Ngwern-for (Red Castle in the Sea Swamps).

In the 19th century, the castle was converted into a country house by the Myddelton family, who owned the property until the mid-20th century.

Since the 1960s the castle ruins have been incorporated into what is now the Ruthin Castle Hotel and luxury spa retreat.

Ruthin Castle has 30 bedrooms, as well as a range of suites, meeting rooms and self-catering cottages, and is a wonderful local wedding venue. The Italian gardens make a pleasant afternoon of wandering – finished off with afternoon tea at the castle.

The castle has hosted many special guests, including Prince Charles who stayed the night before his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.

The castle is rumoured to be haunted, with several ghost stories associated with the property. It is said that the ghost of “Lady Grey”, a mediaeval dignitary haunts the castle, as well as the ghost of a soldier who died in the Civil War.

“Ruthin Castle Most Haunted” is an episode of the popular paranormal investigation show, Most Haunted, which aired in 2008. The Sky TV show follows a team of investigators as they explore the castle and attempt to uncover any supernatural activity. You can watch the episode again here – but we will leave it up to you to decide whether those strange noises and voices, cold spots, and objects moving on their own, are really a sign of Lady Grey attempting to make contact!

Ruthin Library

Don’t be fooled by this building’s current blameless purpose as a library. Built in 1785 to house records of the Court of Great Assize, it became a courthouse and the imposing portico with Doric columns was added in the 1860s.

The court last sat here in 1974 but it continued as a Magistrates Court until 1986. Today the only fines that are given out are for the late return of library books.

Ruthin Craft Centre

At the end of Well Street, you can follow the signs to the craft centre car park and enter through the courtyard.

This wonderful craft centre is one of the most important applied arts centres in Wales. Inside are three galleries, makers’ studios, a shop, and a café plus a busy programme of talks, events and workshops. So, if you’re inspired by the craft, you can come back and make your own.

Visit the website here: www.ruthincraftcentre.org.uk

Town and Market Halls

As you cross the main road into Troed y Rhiw and turn right into Market Street you head towards the main car park, where local farmers would have travelled into town for the livestock market.

The indoor Market Hall opposite has now been reborn as a boutique market for artisans and ethical traders. There is also a “social supermarket” and wellbeing café. The Market Hall and adjacent Town Hall together make a fine example of a civic building in the High Victorian Gothic style.

St Peter’s Church

St Peter’s Church dates back to the 13th century and has undergone several renovations over the centuries. It was built in 1310 and is one of Denbighshire’s characteristic twin-naved churches. Look up and you will see lovely, decorated timber roofs which were added in the early 16th century.

The tall spire, which seems to follow you as you walk around the town, was the result of a Victorian “restoration”. In a quiet corner of the church square you will find the almshouses endowed by the well-named Gabriel Goodman in 1590.

Tom Pryce Memorial

The last stop on the Ruthin Trail is a memorial to a local man called Thomas Maldwyn Pryce. He was one of the most talented racing drivers of his generation, who was unfortunately killed when a safety marshal ran in front of his car at the 1977 South African Grand Prix.

This magnificent bronze relief by local sculptor Neil Dalrymple was unveiled on 11th June 2009.

Turn left into Mill Street opposite Ruthin Gaol, walk past the 13th century mill and turn right at the bollards to return to Cae Ddôl car park.

Download the Ruthin Town Trail Map (PDF)

We hope you enjoy exploring Ruthin as much as we do. It is a fabulous place to visit and just a few miles away from Oak View Lodge Park. Owning a holiday home in North Wales means you can experience 100 years of history as you walk around the town.