Ruthin Denbighshire (Villages & Resorts in Wales in general)

Member Name: poppyash

Product:	Villages & Resorts in Wales in general
Date:	08/06/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A picturesque historic town with plenty to see and do

Disadvantages: None

Ruthin - Denbighshire

I recently visited the small town of Ruthin to do some shopping at the new Tesco's and meet up with some old friends from school in St. Peter's Square. Ruthin is approximately 7 miles from Denbigh on the A525 and is set in the Vale of Clwyd and overlooked by the Clwydian range and the Hiraethog Moors. The town was built on a hill to provide a strategic lookout over the River Clwyd. The streets of this town are steeped in history as over the centuries it has seen plague, battles and sieges.

Having done the shopping I made my way to St Peter's Square to meet my friends by the Clock Tower which stands proud in the middle of the square. While I was waiting for their arrival I looked around at the different buildings on view and I was very impressed by the different historical architecture this place has to offer. Considering this place isn't far from where I live I thought I would share some of the delights this small town has to offer..

Ruthin has a range of specialist independent retail shops, a small indoor market, plenty of places to eat and drink from cafes, tea rooms and sandwich bars to fine hotel cuisine and of course there is access to some fantastic historical buildings. There is also a craft centre on the edge of the town along with a small retail park.

It doesn't matter where you park in Ruthin because if you walk up hill you will come to St Peter's Square, the focal point of this local community. From here you can see the magnificent Davies' brother gates and St Peter's church founded in 1284 and famous for its carved oak roof. Behind the church is the 16th century almshouses, still fully occupied and the Old Grammar school (1284).

On the square itself is the Myddleton Arms, this has a multi- dormered roof known as "the eyes of Ruthin". The banks are half timbered buildings and the National Westminster Bank building was once the Old Courthouse built in 1401.Walking along Castle Street there is a range of period houses from at least the 16th century.

Nantclwyd House is one of the oldest town houses in North Wales and was once the home of an Elizabethan nobleman. The house is open Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 5pm from April to end of September. It is the oldest timber framed town house and features the seven ages of the house and the interesting inhabitants that lived there from 1435. The rooms are fully furnished and the idea is that you walk back in time from the 1942 hall, through a rector's study dated 1916 to a 1891 school room. This is then followed by a splendid panelled and Chinese wallpapered Georgian bedroom and then the Stuart owner Eubule Thelwell's 1690 cabinet, in a room with elaborate wall hangings and an elaborate plaster ceiling. This is then followed by the vividly decorated Jacobean bedchamber with its hung bed and painted cloths to finally the 15th century business room where the 1435 structure has virtually unchanged.

Admission charges:
Adults £3.60 Children £2.50 Family £9.00.

At the end of this street is the entrance to Ruthin Castle which was once a medieval fortress It was built by Edward 1 around 1277 to 1282 and consisted originally of two wards and five round towers that guarded the inner ward. All that remains now are three towers and the double towered gatehouse. In the 15th century the castle was held by Lord Grey who was an enemy of Owain Glyndwr. He captured Lord Grey and imprisoned him and demanded a payment of 10000 marks. The castle also features in the Civil War and rebuilt in 1830. It is now a large hotel which is famous for its medieval banquets and civil wedding ceremonies. The grounds are magnificent as are the peacocks who display their glorious coloured plumage on the drive way and entrance.

On Clwyd Street is Ruthin gaol. This building dates from 1775 but there is a large Victorian block at the back that was built in 1866. The gaol is open all year round and has been the subject on "Most Haunted". It is easy to step back in time in this very spooky place to learn about the harsh realities of early prison life. You can explore the cells, including the punishment cell .

Admission charges
Adults £3.50 Children £2.50 Families £10
Open everyday from 10am to 5pm April to 31st October then weekends and school holidays.

There are so many places to see and visit it is definitely worth a visit. So many holiday makers associate Wales with the likes of Rhyl and Prestatyn and they fail to see the fantastic sites and places inland. For a true taste of Wales you have to get away from the coast road and travel inland to appreciate what is on offer.

However, you do need your own transport as public transport is infrequent in the surrounding areas.

This review also appears on ciao.

Summary: A lovely small town with loads of history and places of interest to visit