Denbigh Castle |
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The striking ruins of Denbigh Castle, crowning a steep hill above the town, enjoy commanding views of the pastoral Vale of Clwyd and the round backed hills of the Clwydian Range. Denbigh, built as part of Edward I's 13th century campaigns against the Welsh, was constructed by Henry de Lacy, one of the king's chief commanders.
It was by no means the first stronghold to occupy this self-evidently strategic site: as if to emphasise English dominance, the castle was built over the stronghold of Dafydd ap Gruffud, brother of Llywelyn, the Welsh leader crushed by Edward in 1282. Dafydd was captured and killed in 1283. The building of the "new" Denbigh from 1282 onwards (which removed all trace of the Welsh fortifications) created not only a castle but a new English borough protected by town walls. The building, in two phases, was interrupted by a rising in 1294 during which the castle was held for a time by the Welsh. The later work is easily recognisable by the different coloured stone, thicker curtain walls and angular towers resembling those at Caernarfon.
The castle's finest feature is its striking triple towered great gatehouse bearing the unmistakable stamp of Master James of St George, the architectural genius responsible for all of Edward's major north Wales castles. Also of great interest are the town walls which are almost 1km long.
General Information:
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Opening Times
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(2009 times)
1st April to 31st October:Daily 10.00am - 5.00pm. Open and unstaffed with no admission charge at all other times. During this period opening hours will be between 10.00am and 4.00pm daily. |
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Admission Charges
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(2009 prices)
Adult £3.00; Concession £2.60. Family ticket (2 adults and all children/grandchildren under 16yrs) £8.60. Children under 16yrs must be accompanied by an adult. Under 5yrs Free. |
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Directions
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| Denbigh via A525, A543 or B5382. |
| Show map of Denbigh Castle... |
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Denbigh Castle Postcode for SatNav: LL16 3NB |
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Nearby Attractions
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Rhuddlan Castle
(7 Miles)*
Rhuddlan may not be as well known as some of the north Wales castles, yet it shares much in common with its illustrious neighbours Caernarfon and Conwy. |
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Llyn Brenig Reservoir and Visitor Centre
(10 Miles)*
Llyn Brenig Reservoir and Visitor Centre is set in 920 acres of moorland and forest in the heart of the Denbigh Moors, just 35 miles from Wrexham and 38 miles from Bangor. |
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Rug Chapel and Llangar Church
(13 Miles)*
These delightful religious sites are located close together in beautiful countryside just west of Corwen. Rug is a rare example of a little-altered private 17th century chapel. Llangar Church is even older than Rug. |
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