Top 8 Things To Do In Denbighshire
Denbighshire, at the top of North Wales, has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic times. A Neanderthal burial site discovered in Pontnewydd is thought to date back over 200,000 years – the oldest evidence of habitation in Britain. No surprises, then, that this county is well known for its history.
Today, visitors to Denbighshire can explore historic sites – including castles, mansions and a rather spooky prison – as well as enjoying natural attractions like the beaches and gorgeous green hills the area has become known for. It all adds up to a lot of excellent days out, so to help you decide how to spend your time we’ve put together this list of the best things to do in Denbighshire, for locals and visitors alike.
If you’re planning a trip to this area, you can add camping to this list of excellent Denbighshire activities – the landscape that makes this such fabulous walking territory also makes a great backdrop for outdoor stays, whether you’re into wild camping or like the luxury of glamping. Pitchup has a great selection of places to stay, so check out the list below to see what you can find.
Explore all Denbighshire campsites
Visit a castle
Wales is famously full of castles, and Denbighshire is no exception. This county was once fought fiercely over, which means that today it has no fewer than five mighty castles to visit. Denbigh Castle, Dinas Brân, Rhuddlan Castle, and Ruthin Castle were all built in the 13th century, while Bodelwyddan Castle was originally built in the 15th century and largely reconstructed at the beginning of the 19th century.
Also worth a visit is Caer Drewyn Hillfort, an Iron Age fortification that sits rather imposingly above Corwen, with splendid views over the Dee Valley.
For more info on these magnificent buildings, read our guide to Denbighshire’s castles.
Go to the seaside
Denbighshire’s coastline isn’t a long one, but it’s got a couple of lovely family-friendly sandy beaches: our top picks are Rhyl East beach and Prestatyn, both of which are Blue Flag-certified.
Rhyl beach deserves a special mention for its accessible features, including a wheelchair ramp, a mobile hoist and sand-friendly wheelchairs available for hire. Alongside this, expect all the trappings of a traditional seaside town, from seafront amusement arcades and donkey rides to watersports including paddleboarding and kitesurfing.
Prestatyn is another lovely beach – it’s popular with sailors, swimmers and windsurfers, and also has seaside attractions such as an arcade. With around five miles of golden sand, there’s plenty of space for picnics, paddling and sandcastle building.
Visit the UK’s smallest cathedral
With a population of just over 3,000, St Asaph is the UK’s second-smallest city. It’s home to a correspondingly small cathedral, which was built in the 13th century and claims to be the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain. Whether or not that’s true (there are a couple of other contenders), its Gothic construction and pint-sized proportions make St Asaph Cathedral one of the top things to see in Denbighshire.
Ride the rails in Rhyl
Rhyl’s Marine Lake is worth a visit for several reasons – it’s the only saltwater lake in North Wales, it has two play areas, and you can try all sorts of activities here including sailing, kayaking, waterskiing and kneeboarding. The most compelling reason, however, has to be the presence of the Rhyl Miniature Railway, the oldest miniature railway still in operation in the UK. Take a ride and you’ll chug around the perimeter of Marine Lake on tiny trains dating back to the 1920s.
If that’s given you a taste for heritage trains, head next to Llangollen, where full-size steam trains on the Llangollen Railway run through the Dee Valley all the way to Corwen – well worth a trip for the views alone.
Get some alfresco activity
Denbighshire has plenty of gorgeous countryside to explore, including the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscape, which runs along the spine of the county. It’s best explored on foot, so we’ve picked some of the top routes for you with our guide to the best walks in Denbighshire.
Want a bit more adrenaline? Head to the mountain bike trails of Llandegla Forest or seek out adventure companies with activities that are guaranteed to get your heart rate up. Maybe you’d like to try whitewater rafting, kayak over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, go canyoneering or get to grips with gorge walking and rock climbing? Whichever one takes your fancy, you’ve come to the right area.
Explore pretty Plas Newydd
Not to be confused with its namesake over on Anglesey, Llangollen’s Plas Newydd is a fascinating place where two Irish women transformed a normal country cottage into an elaborate Gothic building towards the end of the 18th century. Visit the property now and you’ll be following in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott, Josiah Wedgewood and poets Wordsworth and Shelley.
Inside the house, exhibits tell the story of the two ladies – Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsonby – through personal items as well as the elegant decoration. You’ll also be able to stroll through 10 acres of fabulous formal gardens, treat yourself in the tearooms and join in with special events throughout the summer.
Get hands-on with history at Llangollen Museum
From the outside, Llangollen Museum looks a little forbidding: it’s a squat, tower-shaped building with no windows above its halfway point. The inside is much more welcoming, with interactive exhibits telling the story of Llangollen from the Stone Age to the modern day, plus dressing-up outfits for kids to try on.
Other interesting museums in the area include the 1950s Museum in Denbigh (a treasure trove of everything 50s, from pop music to motor cars), and Nantclwyd y Dre in Ruthin (a timbered town house with rooms that recreate eras from the 14th to 20th centuries).
Contemplate life behind bars at Ruthin Gaol
Ever wondered what prison was like in the Victorian era? Ruthin Gaol aims to answer that question as comprehensively as possible. While strolling around the Pentonville-style prison, you’ll learn about characters like John Jones (the 'Welsh Houdini', who escaped from Ruthin twice), find out what daily life was like for prisoners and gain insight into crime and punishment in Victorian Britain. Keep your eyes opened for ghosts in Ruthin’s death row cells – the prison is said to be haunted.
Want to try out all of our suggestions? Book one of Pitchup’s excellent places to stay and you’ll be able to explore Denbighshire at your leisure, while also adding the fun of spending the night outside to your itinerary. With prices starting from just £10 per night, booking through Pitchup is a great way to keep the cost of your break down as well.