Pictures of Ruthin Castle

Location: Glwyd Country: Wales
Ruthin Castle is built on a red sandstone ridge 100 feet above the Clwyd valley, overlooking a strategic river crossing.

The name 'Ruthin' comes from 'rudd' or red and 'din', the Welsh word for fort, and refers to the colour of the old red sandstone which forms the geologic basis of the area, and from which the castle was constructed in 1277-1284.

Ruthin Castle, a baronial castle, stands on a sandstone ridge near the head of the Vale of Clwyd (Dyffryn Clwyd), 100 feet above the great marsh (Y Gwernfor). Ruthin Castle consisted of two wards and five round towers originally guarding the inner ward. All that remains are three towers and the ruined double-towered gatehouse. The overgrown walls of the upper and lower bailey can be seen to the left of the photo and the former marshy ground on the floor of the valley can be seen in the background.



Little is known of the history of the town before construction of Ruthin Castle started in 1277. The construction of the castle started around 1277, under the orders of Edward I, who was notable for waging wars in both Wales and Scotland. The castle would have been a strategic advantage to quell uprising in Wales, and originally consisted of 5 round towers, of which only three remain, along with its ruined gatehouse



According to local history, the lordship of Dyffryn Clwyd was given to the Grey family in 1282 after the defeat of Llywelyn effectively ending the principality of North Wales. Up to 1400 the history of the castle had little to note. It was Reginald, now first Baron of Ruthin, who was responsible for re-fortifying the castle, building the Chapel of St Peter and erecting a wall around Ruthin, which was surrounded by Welsh tribes.

During the Civil War period the castle was attacked by Cromwell's troops but managed to hold out against the battery. In 1646 the castle was once again attacked and besieged, the royalist forces surrendering to Major General Mytton in the same year. The castle was then destroyed, possibly on the orders of parliament. The old castle's atmospheric remains are still accessible to guests of the castle. The ruins include the battlements, the whipping pit, drowning pit and the dungeons.

A late 13th century castle on the site of a Welsh fort. Much of the structure of what was once a strong castle has been removed, but the remains were rebuilt in the 19th century as part of a hotel. Ruthin Castle is now an elegant Hotel set in beautiful and extensive gardens.

The castle is reputed to be haunted by a 'Grey Lady' who is seen roaming the exterior of the castle, the battlements, the old Chapel and the Medieval Banqueting Hall. The lady is said to be a murderess and the wife of the castle's second in command, when it was occupied by Reginald de Grey, appointed by Edward I. According to the legend her husband had an affair, and she murdered her love rival with an axe. She was executed for her crime and buried in the area around the battlements, as no local clergymen would allow her to be buried on consecrated ground. Her grave can still be seen today.



The historical town of Ruthin is one of North Wales's most affluent towns. Ruthin is a very pretty market town, unique in North Wales for its number of timberframed buildings. It is located around a hill in the southern part of the Vale of Clwyd - the older part of the town, the Castle and Saint Peter's Square are located on top of the hill, while many newer parts of the town are on the floodplain of the River Clwyd.

Ruthin Castle is set in 35 acres of gardens and grounds, including ruins and dungeons. The hotel offers an atmospheric setting, fine dining and the merriment of the original medieval banquet.