Ruthin / North Wales

Ruthin Castle

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Reservations opening times

Monday to Friday: 8.00am-8.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am-5.00pm
Sunday: 10.00am-4.00pm

Ruthin Castle Overview

Ruthin Castle Hotel in Ruthin is an atmospheric mediaeval castle by the River Clwyd with a royal history that dates back to 1277 and for centuries was the centre of great conflicts, great romances and tragedies.

Ruthin Castle in North Wales is set in acres of magnificent private landscaped gardens, parkland and woods. You know when you have reached Ruthin Castle Hotel as you drive through the unmistakeable archway with its great oak gates at the top of Castle Road and up the winding drive through the beautifully manicured gardens. The pink marble monumental lions sit proudly on their plinths at the entrance and the red carpet welcomes you into the warmly lit, wood panelled entrance hall of the Castle.

Beautiful original period features, grand public rooms with high ceilings and wonderfully carved stone and wood ornamental fireplaces adorn the Castle. In winter, the open fires create a warm and cosy atmosphere; and in summer it is light and airy throughout the public rooms whilst retaining their grandeur. Original oil paintings of past royalty and former residents of the castle line the halls, each with their own story to tell of dangerous romantic affairs and intrigue that once caused sensation and scandal in the Government.

Ruthin Castle Hotel in North Wales is a Welsh heritage, and not to be confused with the Castle Hotel in Ruthin, a small terraced property in the centre of town.

The award winning Berties Restaurant is affectionately named after Edward, Prince of Wales or 'Bertie' to commemorate his association and his passion for food and wine. Berties Restaurant is situated in the original part of the castle, overlooking the garden terrace through beautiful, large bay windows. Stunning Austrian chandeliers hang from the high ceiling and warm lighting adds to the romantic atmosphere of the room.

Enjoy afternoon tea or a relaxing drink in the Library Bar with its Oak wood-panelled octagonal walls and leather seating or the Inner Hallway with its impressive paintings or the Cornwallis Lounge with its soft sofas and easy chairs.

Ruthin Castle currently has 18 deluxe bedrooms and 4 luxury suites of a 4 star quality, all air-conditioned with king size beds, wide-screen television and within the main castle building. The remaining 38 standard bedrooms are of a three star quality, with plans in the near future to upgrade these bedrooms. There is free high-speed internet access.

The town of Ruthin, in the county of Denbighshire, is at the foot of the Clwydian Range, designated an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". North Wales coastline is just 18 miles north, whilst Llangollen, famous for its annual International Eisteddfod Festival is just 15 miles south. Snowdonia National Park and Chester are both just 22 miles from Ruthin. An ideal base for pretty walks, magnificent views, heritage & romance and a real castle experience.

Ruthin Castle has 6 excellent conference rooms with a maximum capacity of up to 150 delegates in the dedicated conference suite. A variety of team building events can be organised within the Castle grounds.

For those looking for a truly authentic mediaeval experience, Ruthin Castle does organise Mediaeval Banquets. Fully costumed Ladies of the Court and the Court Steward lead guests into the Banquet Hall of Ruthin Castle where they entertain, sing, jest and lead the evening's feasting with dagger and fingers accompanied by mead from clay cups and wine in pewter goblets.

No, you haven't drunk too much mead if you see peacocks strutting with their family in the castle gardens!

Bedroom Accommodation

Ruthin Castle Hotel has 60 non smoking rooms, of which 18 are deluxe bedrooms and 4 are luxury suites of a 4 star quality within the main castle building and feature air-conditioning, king size beds, wide-screen television, iron & ironing board and free high speed internet access. The remaining 38 standard bedrooms are of a three star quality, with plans in the near future to upgrade these bedrooms.

Prince of Wales Suite - The largest of the four suites, named after Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Victoria because of the close association he had with Ruthin Castle. The Prince of Wales suite, represents grandeur and is lavish and extravagant in style. The centrepiece of this large room is a stunning raised, King sized bed with an extra large wide-screen TV in front of it. Antique furniture features throughout the room along with an original open fireplace. Behind the bed is a luxurious double bath surrounded by leather surfaces and cushions with a wall mounted wide-screen TV opposite. There is also a separate bathroom with a large shower. A stunning iron chandelier hangs from the high ceiling and three large bay windows offer views of Ruthin Castle, ground and gardens.

Patsy - Named after Mary Cornwallis-West or 'Patsy' to her close friends and family. This room is a striking silver room with a stunning feature bed. Extra large wide-screen TV, large antique mirrors, large corner bay window with views over Ruthin Castle, grounds and gardens. Large feature bathroom with double bath and shower combination, window looking out over the surrounding countryside and wall mounted wide-screen TV.
Jennie - Named after Jennie Jerome, otherwise known as Lady Randolph Churchill and mother to Winston Churchill. Jennie lived at Ruthin Castle with her husband George Cornwallis-West. This room is quirky with all the walls painted as bookcases. The King size leather sleigh bed has pillars either side, a statuette above the bed and wide-screen TV. Large bay window looking out over Ruthin Castle, grounds and gardens. Open plan bathroom with double bath and shower combination.
Lillie Langtry - Named after the actress Lillie Langtry, a frequent visitor to Ruthin Castle. This room has a country house feel, lavish and extravagant in style with a stunning four poster bed. Behind the bed is a large walk-in wardrobe with automatic lighting. A red bedspread and chandelier represents the lust and intrigue associated with her character. The room features beautiful antique furniture, open fireplace and wide-screen TV. Behind a beautifully decorated screen is a large double bath with a wall mounted wide screen TV and a separate double shower. A large bay window looks out over Ruthin Castle, grounds and gardens.
Deluxe Twins/Doubles - Beautiful rooms with king size bed or two twin beds, extra large flat screen TV and seating area. All deluxe rooms are of a 4 star deluxe quality and have views over the castle and grounds.
Standard Main Castle Twins/Doubles - Bedrooms are of a good 3 star standard and includes 4 Four Poster bedrooms. Bathrooms are a little tired.
Standard South Wing Twins/Doubles/Family - Bedrooms and bathrooms are of a mid 3 star standard with plans for refurbishment.

The characters behind the names of the four suites:

Prince of Wales Suite - Edward, Prince of Wales or sometimes 'Bertie', the eldest son of Queen Victoria, renowned as a bit of a gossip. He spent much of his life focussed on aristocratic society and 'Invariably awoke in a good humour, confident that no matter what ordeals of boredom the day might bring, he would find some pleasure in it'. Edward became King Edward VII and was the soul of Edwardian England, adored for his dignity and style.

Patsy - Named after Mary Cornwallis-West or 'Patsy' to her close friends and family. Mary loved to flirt and be mad. Her favourite party trick was to toboggan down the stairs of Ruthin Castle on a tea tray in the presence of Edward, the Prince of Wales who described her as 'charming and irresistible'.

Jennie - Named after Jennie Jerome, otherwise known as Lady Randolph Churchill and mother to Winston Churchill. An American beauty who 'dazzled Society' and has been described as 'the most fascinating and desirable woman of her age' the beautiful rebel who lived and loved with an honesty that made her the toast - and the scandal - of two continents'.

Lillie Langtry - Named after the actress Lillie Langtry, a frequent visitor to Ruthin Castle. and described as a 'beautiful, ambitious and formidable woman, who was a phenomenon of the age'. Her lovers included Edward, Prince of Wales. She was his first mistress to be flaunted in public and for a time reputedly caused him to loose interest in other woman. Oscar Wilde even said he would 'rather have discovered Lillie Langtry than America. She is the most beautiful woman in the world'.

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Hotel Heritage & History

Ruthin Castle is known by most as a Welsh heritage hotel set in magnificent grounds, but for centuries it was a centre of great conflicts, great romances and tragedies. It was known as Castell Rhuthun - the red castle - and the redness of its sandstone walls can still be seen to this day.

For untold years there existed a wooden fortress on the Ruthin site. According to ancient Arthurian legend, King Arthur disguised himself for a romantic liaison with his mistress at Ruthin. Unfortunately his old adversary, Huail, recognised him and Arthur had him executed on a stone block now displayed in the Town Square.

Edward I rebuilt Ruthin Castle with red sandstone in 1277. Legend also has it that the wife of an army commander of Edward I, discovered her husband's romantic affair with a local girl and in a passionate rage murdered her with an axe. For her bloody deed she was executed, prohibited from being buried in consecrated ground and therefore buried by the Castle walls. Her stone grave still exists ...and she forever roams the battlements as the ghostly 'grey lady'.

In Edward I determined struggle to control the Welsh, he granted Ruthin Castle to Dafydd, brother of Prince Llewellyn ap Gryffudd for his help. Allegiances changed, following the crushing of the Welsh resistance in a war between the English and Welsh in 1282, and the castle fell when besieged on behalf of the King by Reginald de Grey (reputedly the former Sheriff of Nottingham charged with raising 'the finest army in the land' to defeat Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest). Ruthin Castle was awarded to Reginald de Grey by King Edward.

Ruthin was improved by de Grey when he first took over in 1282 and again in 1295 when the castle was further strengthened and extended. De Grey employed the famous military architect Master James of St George to provide the castle with a twin-towered gatehouse and six round towers, the northern tower incorporating a smaller Welsh one. The castle later withstood many a siege including that by the Welsh rebel, Owain Glyndwr in 1400. The de Greys remained at Ruthin Castle from the time of Edward I grant in 1282 until 1508, a period of 226 years.

The Castle played an important role in the defence of the region, forming part of the Crown Estate from 1508 until sold by Charles I in 1632 shortly before the Parliamentary forces of the Civil War made Ruthin Castle their first target in the area. The castle was very strong and well-defended and successfully withstood severe bombardment from enemy artillery before eventually falling in 1647 to the Parliamentary forces ('roundheads') in the civil war. In 1647 they put an end to all the old fortresses and the demolition of Ruthin Castle was carried out in 1648. Ruthin Castle became a sad ruin.

In 1826 the modern castle was constructed and extended around, amongst and over the remaining ancient ruins. It was further built and extended in 1849-52 by Maria Myddelton, daughter to the last male heir, who took interest in her inheritance.

In 1863 the ancient castle entered into a fresh phase of existence owned by the Cornwallis-West family and was the centre of dangerous romantic intrigue at the highest level. Lady Cornwallis-West (known as 'Patsy' to her family and close friends), at just 16 years old, was embroiled in a long affair with Edward, Prince of Wales (later becoming Edward VII), a trait she presumably inherited from her mother who had previously been involved in an affair with Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria, which had resulted in her being temporarily banished to Ireland.

Lady Cornwallis-West was beautiful, exciting, at the height of society (including appearances in Vanity Fair), notorious as a flirt and for her open and full enjoyment of life. Her favourite party trick at one time was to toboggan down the stairs of the castle on a tea tray in the presence of the future King. She entertained many famous guests at Ruthin Castle including Lady Randolph Churchill (mother of Sir Winston Churchill) and the actress Lillie Langtry, who also had an affair with the Prince of Wales and who's child reputedly shared the same dubious parentage as Patsy's son George. Lady Randolph Churchill later fell in love with and married Patsy's son, George, 20 years her younger.

Patsy also had two daughters, Shelagh, who married the powerful Duke of Westminster, and 'Daisy' who fell in love with her own Prince, Hans Heinrich of Pless, part of a family owning enormous estates in south-eastern Germany. Tragically the events of World War I turned Princess Daisy's world upside down and resulted in divorce, bad health and death in poverty.

During the First World War in 1915, at 63 years of age Lady Cornwallis-West had a passionate affair with a young soldier whilst he was convalescing in Denbigh after being wounded. She invited him to the castle and used her influence at the highest level to arrange his promotion to Second Lieutenant. Lurid details of this affair were later used to shame her before Parliament and the press and resulted in an Act of Parliament being dramatically introduced by David Lloyd George and a cover-up, which almost brought down the British Government during the First World War.

The Castle has frequently hosted members of the Royal Family including HRH Prince Charles. When you wander through the opulent rooms, the history and echoes of people who have laughed and enjoyed life within Ruthin's walls cannot fail to enchant. This is why guests often describe Ruthin Castle as 'truly magical'.

Today Ruthin Castle remains an important landmark, all of which is listed as of special historic importance and much is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument including the old walls, tunnels, underground dungeons, whipping pit and drowning pool.

It is against this background of chivalry and valour that Ruthin Castle became the first in Britain to start hosting themed mediaeval banquets.

Map & Directions

Ruthin Castle

Castle Road,
Ruthin,
Denbighshire,
North Wales
LL15 2NU

Tel: +44 (0)1483 776344Fax: +44 (0)1483 730202

How to find us

By Road

From the North -

From the M6 join the M56 (signposted Chester and North Wales) at junction 20. Follow the M56 to meet the A55 following the signs to North Wales. Exit the A55 following signs for Mold. Ruthin is clearly signposted from Mold on the A545.

From the South -

From the M6 join the M54 towards Telford. At end of M54 join the A5 and follow signs for North Wales and Llangollen. At Llangollen turn right into the town centre and then left at 'T' junction after crossing the river. Follow signs for Ruthin leading across the Horseshoe Pass, go straight over next roundabout then turn left at 'T' junction. Stay on this road traveling through the Nant y Garth Pass following signs for Ruthin.

By Rail and Air

By Rail: Wrexham Station (15 miles). Taxis available from the Station.
By Air: Liverpool Airport (45 miles)
Manchester Airport (53 miles)

Nearest Cities/Towns

Ruthin (0.00 miles) (0 km)
Wales (0.00 miles) (0 km)
Buckley (13.00 miles) (21 km)
Llangollen (15.00 miles) (24 km)
Queensferry (17.00 miles) (27 km)
Wrexham (18.00 miles) (29 km)
Chester (22.00 miles) (35 km)
Snowdonia National Park (22.00 miles) (35 km)
Bala (22.00 miles) (35 km)
Llandudno (33.00 miles) (53 km)
Betws-y-coed (33.00 miles) (53 km)
Liverpool (37.00 miles) (60 km)
Lake Vyrnwy (38.00 miles) (61 km)
Bangor (54.00 miles) (87 km)

Amenities

Special offers & breaks:

Extended May Bank Holiday Escape

Save 20% on our Best Available Rate when you take an off-peak Bank Holiday break

Save 20% Per room per night

Historic North Wales Castle Break

2-night package including full Welsh breakfast, 3-course dinner each night and literature on the Welsh Castles of Edward I

From £113.00 Per room per night

Castle Pamper Break

2-night break including full breakfast and a half-day Bliss Health & Beauty experience per person

From £159.00 Per room per night

Luxury Romantic Castle Break

2-night package includes chocolates, fresh fruit, flowers, chilled Champagne and scented oils in your room on arrival, full Welsh breakfast and 3-course dinner each night

From £173.50 Per room per night

At-a-glance