Ruthin
Ruthin is focussed around St. Peter's Square which is
lined with impressive buildings such as the old courthouse, and the
gabled windowed 'Seven Eyes of Ruthin'.Just off the square you can
visit Ruthin Castle which is now a hotel and the beautifully
restored Nant Clwyd y Dre the earliest timber framed town house in
Wales. On Clwyd Street is the imposing Ruthin Gaol which is now a
visitor attraction and on the outskirts of town is the newly built
Craft Centre which a premier applied arts centre.
Denbigh
The castle and walls built in 1282 still dominate the market
town of Denbigh. Explore the walls and ruins and the medieval
architecture. The former County Hall built in 1572 is now the
local museum, library and art gallery. Nearby Gwaenynog Hall has
had many famous visitors over the centuries, including Dr Samuel
Johnson and Beatrix Potter. It was here that the Flopsy Bunnies
lived and where Mr McGregor's shed is sited. The gardens are opened
to the public in the summer months.
Llangollen
Llangollen is a picturesque town on the River Dee. Overlooked by
the remains of Castell Dinas Bran. Famous for the annual
International Musical Eisteddfod in July it has always been a
magnet for travellers as you will find if you visit Plas Newydd the
home of two aristocratic ladies who eloped from Ireland in the 18th
century, their eccentricity captured the imagination of many famous
personalities from that era. The town is also home to a steam
railway and a few miles away is the stunning Horseshoe Pass, Valle
Crucis Abbey and Eliseg's Pillar.
Corwen
The small market town of Corwen is surrounded by the hill Pen y
Pigyn on one side and the Iron Age hillfort of Caer Drewyn crowns
the hill across the river. It is only a couple of miles from where
Welsh hero Owain Glyndwr proclaimed himself Prince of Wales in 1400
and a statue of him stands proudly in the town square. Nearby there
are two Cadw properties Rug Chapel and Llangar Church which are
well worth a visit or go for a walk in the Dee Valley or the
Berwyn's.
Rhuddlan
Rhuddlan has it's roots steeped in history since King Offa in
AD795 due to its important position as a crossing place on the
River Clwyd. There lies an impressive Norman 'twthill' motte
near to the site of the imposing castle built in 1278 by Edward the
1st. Nearby is Bodrhyddan hall which is still the home of Lord
Langford and is open to the public in the summer months.