In the shadow of 12th century castle ruins lies a small town on the banks of the River Clwyd.
Rhuddlan is up river from Rhyl, the seaside town many from Merseyside have visited as a rite of passage in their youth. Settlements along the water's edge are thought to date back 9,000 years, but the castle that dominates the skyline was built in 1277 by Edward I after the First Welsh War.
There are a series of castles in North Wales erected by the king in the hope they would aid his conquest of Wales. It still stands today and is a popular tourist attraction in the historic town and is looked after by the Welsh Government.
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With concentric, or ‘walls within walls’, walls designed by master architect James of St George, the existing turrets have survived very well and are perfect for exploring while the inside of the castle offers a wonderful, well-kept green space for picnicking. Outside the walls you can see down the river and a glimpse of the same view King Edward I will have had as he plotted his war.
The town of Rhuddlan used to have a railway running from 1858 at the boom time of train lines, however it was closed in 1955 with the station demolished in 1970. The Premier Inn hotel, which can be seen from the south side of the castle, now sits on the site where the station once stood.
The hotel opened in 2009, eight years after the A525 bypass was built with the aim of improving links to and from the town. This then led to a redevelopment of its main high street. The A road was many years in the making with planning stages beginning in the late 1980s.
If you do venture to Rhuddlan to see the fairytale castle, you can also stroll the quaint high street that is full of independent shops and cafes. There is a model shop filled with trains and cars, WISH gift shop, a number of coffee shops and three Google rated pubs; The Castle Inn, The Kings Head and The New Inn Hotel.
For more information on Rhuddlan Castle and to book entry tickets visit the government website here.
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