Our Must-Visit Denbighshire Castles
It’s claimed that Wales has more castles per square mile than anywhere else in the world thanks to the region’s history of conflict with England – and Denbighshire, close to the Wales/England border, certainly has its fair share.
Many of these castles are built on naturally strategic sites: next to the river or sea, or up on a hilltop for superior views of invading troops. And that’s great news for 21st-century visitors too, because it often means spectacular settings as well as intriguing buildings to explore.
In this article we’ve compiled a list of our favourite castles in Denbighshire – and added in a couple of bonus numbers too, crossing a little way into the neighbouring counties of Flintshire and Wrexham.
Fancy staying over so you can visit the whole lot? Denbighshire’s fabulous scenery makes it a great place for an outdoor break – and Pitchup has an excellent range of sites to choose from, whether you’d like a peaceful farm pitch, a cosy yurt or anything in between. Check out the full collection by clicking the link below.
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Denbigh Castle
Edward I built Denbigh Castle around 1285, on the site of an older Welsh fortress. As well as the mighty stone castle crowning the hill above Denbigh, Edward’s building works included strong stone walls to encircle the whole town. The protective wall was one of the first parts to be completed: Edward perhaps feared reprisals following the brutal execution of Welsh prince Dafydd ap Gruffydd in 1283.
Today, Denbigh Castle lies in ruins, but surviving parts include the prison tower, gatehouse and inner ward; the town walls are also largely intact. It’s all easily walkable from the centre of town, so there will be plenty of places to get a coffee, some lunch or a drink at the end of your visit.
Castell Dinas Brân
Linked with Arthurian legend, Castell Dinas Brân captured the imagination of Romantic painters including William Turner – and when you visit, it’s easy to see why. The castle’s skeletal remains sit high on a hill above Llangollen, with gorgeous green scenery all around.
Built on the site of an ancient Iron Age fort, the current castle dates back to the 13th century. From the bottom of the hill, Dinas Brân is silhouetted dramatically against the sky, providing a focal point for the walk up. Once you’ve made the steep ascent to the top, the hill’s vertiginous slopes and height create cinematic views stretching for miles.
Rhuddlan Castle
What do you do when the castle you’re building is too far away to use the river as a supply route? If you’re Edward I, you simply move the river Clwyd. It was a task that took hundreds of ditch-diggers to complete – and indicates just how important Rhuddlan Castle was to Edward’s defence plan.
Designed by master mason James of St George, Rhuddlan was the first castle to use a concentric ('walls within walls') design, which represented a step up from traditional motte-and-bailey structures. Even now – almost 900 years later – Rhuddlan’s huge inner gatehouses and thick walls project pure power.
Rhuddlan is about three miles from Rhyl, so it makes a nice outing from the seaside town, whether you drive, walk the riverside path or take the bus.
Bonus – Chirk Castle
Grade I-listed Chirk Castle is just over the border in Wrexham, but as it’s just a few miles from Llangollen it makes a popular outing from the town – and that’s why we’ve included it on this list.
Chirk Castle was built in 1295 to protect the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. In the Middle Ages it was a Marcher fortress which was owned by several of Britain’s most important players (including Richard III before his rule). Five of its owners were executed for treason, so the castle frequently changed hands.
By the late 16th century things had stabilised, and over the next 400 years the castle was transformed into an opulent family home –while still retaining medieval features like dungeons and murder holes.
Now owned by the National Trust, Chirk Castle has play areas, five acres of award-winning gardens, a model farm and a lovely café as well as the well-preserved castle with its art collection.
Bonus – Flint Castle
Flint Castle isn’t quite in Denbighshire (it’s in neighbouring Flintshire instead), but is well worth a quick trip over the county border. The first to be built of Edward I’s 'ring of stone' – the castles built to consolidate English power after Edward defeated Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd in 1282 – it remained strategically important throughout the Middle Ages and beyond (and was used by Shakespeare as a location in his play Richard II). It’s also one of the most unusual castles built in this era: look out for the great tower which came with its own moat and drawbridge.
Planning your Denbighshire break
This area has plenty to offer beyond its castles – for more days out, check out our ideas for the best Denbighshire walks, or take a look at a more general list of the best things to do locally.
Choosing a camping or glamping site for your accommodation will add an extra dimension to your Denbighshire break – and, with prices starting from just £10 per night, they’re affordable options too. Browse the full list to see what’s available.