Ruthin
Wales [Cymru GB-CYM], United Kingdom
Why visit Ruthin?
Ruthin Europe > Britain and Ireland > United Kingdom > Wales > North Wales > Clwyd > Ruthin Ruthin ( Welsh : Rhuthun ) is a town in Denbighshire , Wales and has some of the finest black and white buildings in Wales. Ruthin School is located in the town and is one of the oldest independent schools in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1284. Get in By train Take a train to Wrexham, Chester, or Rhyl and then a bus to Ruthin. By car Llangollen is 20 minutes away over the Horse Shoe Pass. To travel from Chester to Ruthin, head southeast on Northgate St. toward King St. With little traffic, the voyage should take around 40 minutes. From Wrexham to Ruthin, head northwest on St. Giles Way toward Town Hill; this should take about 35 minutes. Get around Ruthin is a small enough town to be able to get around by walking. For an easy walk around the town, start at the car park at the end of Clwyd Street, then walk towards the fields with the river on the right. Following this path to get a fantastic view of Ruthin Castle and Clwydian Range, as you head under the stone bridge and back into town. It should take approximately an hour and stretches for just over a mile around Ruthin's historic town and parkland area. There is also the option to travel around town by bus 73, which stops at Ruthin Tesco, Market Square, St Peters Square, Tyn y Parc, Porth y Dre and Trem y Foel. See 🌍 Ruthin Gaol , Clwyd St, LL15 1HP , ☏ +44 1824 708281 , [email protected] . W-M 10AM-5PM (last entry 4PM) . A Pentonville Style, Victorian age gaol. William Hughes was the last person to be hanged here. Adult £4, child £3 . 🌍 NantClwyd House ( Nantclwyd-y-Dre ). Grade 1 Listed Building, oldest timbered house in Wales. The Square . including the 'Seven Eyes' aka 'Myddleton Arms', with its famous windows. Apparently it's called 'The Eyes of Ruthin', except by anyone who's ever been there. 🌍 Ruthin Craft Centre . This was allegedly going to become a petrol station for Tesco, but instead, they knocked down the old grey shed-like building, and replaced it with an expensive new grey shed-like building. Apparently, the architect intended the roof to emulate the pattern of the Clwydian range that lies behind it. However, Moel Famau looks nothing like an aircraft hangar. Do Cae Ddol . It is nice on a sunny day. Picturesque park with lake and activities for children including a zip wire, swings and slides. Lake with ducks and swans; picnic tables available. Car parking at the park. 🌍 Moel Famau . Walk up to the Jubilee Tower. 🌍 Llandegla Mountain Bike Centre ( One Planet Adventure ), Coed Llandegla Forest . Visitors Information Centre ( Town Square ). Pick up leaflets on walks and activities, including the outlying villages. Buy The pretty town of Ruthin has a variety of independent traders many housed in historic buildings converted into shops. Although a small town visitors have a choice of buying brand labels or items bespoke to the shop. Shops vary in size from quaint wool shops to major supermarkets. 🌍 Elfair , 18 Stryd Clwyd , ☏ +44 1824 702575 , [email protected] . A Welsh bookshop with a wide selection of Welsh books for all ages. Also Welsh CDs, DVDs, crafts, t-shirts and many other things from Wales. Ruthin Book Shop , 3 Upper Clwyd St . 🌍 Patchwork Paté , 17 Lon Parcwr Industrial Estate, Ruthin LL15 1NJ ( from Tesco follow the A525 away from the roundabout; turn into first entrance on the right, roughly 200 m from the roundabout ), ☏ 0845 123 5010 (high cost number) Country code missing , [email protected] . Factory open 7 days a week. Shop open Tuesday to Saturday 10AM-5PM . Patchwork Paté is a food company that specialises in paté. The company also produces other foods such as soups, chutneys and ice cream. There is a factory and a store on site that sells all of the products. Free Entry. Product prices vary. . Eat 🌍 On the Hill , 1 Upper Clwyd St ( The restaurant is a few metres from St. Peter's Square ), ☏ +44 1824 707736 . A good restaurant: very busy, but excellent food. Not much room between tables, however! W & G Jones , 57 Well St , ☏ +44 1824 702619 . 9AM-4:30PM . A family-owned cafe serving tea, coffee, cakes, snacks and hot meals cooked to order. Panda Garden , 8 Well St . Chinese food. Leonardo's , 4 Well St , ☏ +44 1824 707161 . It has excellent home-made pie recipes, three amazing chefs. Finns . Kebab shop and Bar Llaeth amongst others. Myddelton Grill On The Square , St Peter's Square, LL15 1AA , ☏ +44 1824 707842 . W-Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM . Mains £11-19 . 🌍 Shop Nain , 6 Well St , ☏ +44 1824 703572 . 9AM-5:30PM . Excellent licensed restaurant and cafe, good value for money. Gift and card shop set in historic house. Visit the display relating to the first printing of the Welsh National Anthem which took place in this building Drink Ruthin has a good range of pubs: from the Park Place to the plush Wetherspoons . The Three Feathers has changed ownership and was refurbished around 2013. Also in the town are the Boars Head , Corporation Arms (refurbished in 2014 and renamed as Cock 'o' Rhudd Din ), Wine Vaults and the Farmers Arms . 🌍 Three Pigeons Inn , Graigfechan, LL15 2EU , ☏ +44 1824 703178 , [email protected] . Seasonal hours. . This houses an extensive beer terrace, with wonderful views over the Vale and a large car park. It also contains a very popular restaurant that serves high quality food, and there are also camping facilities and self-catering apartments on offer. These apartments each sleep up to 7 people. Sleep 🌍 Ruthin Castle , Castle Street, LL15 2NU , ☏ +44 1824 702664 , [email protected] . A four-star hotel with restaurant and spa - built upon the original 13th century Castle. 🌍 The Castle Hotel ( Wetherspoons pub ), St Peters Square . very popular middle price range . 🌍 Morning Star Inn . limited accommodation but very comfortable 🌍 Clwydian Holidays , Graig, Llanelidan, LL15 2TB , ☏ +44 7766 694514 , [email protected] . Log cabin glamping in a rural setting with panoramic views toward the Clwydian Mountain Range. Go next Denbigh , Llangollen , Llandudno or Snowdonia National Park are good places to go next. Cerrigydrudion This article is issued from Wikivoyage . The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.
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By Plane
The nearest major international airports serve Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] with connections from across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Regional airports in the area provide additional domestic and European services. Airport buses and taxis connect to the town centre.
By Train
The local railway station is served by regular services on the British rail network. Train services connect to major cities across Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider UK. National Rail Enquiries provides schedule and fare information. Advance booking typically offers better rates.
By Car / Road
Ruthin is accessible by road via the UK's motorway and A-road network. Major routes connect the town to nearby cities and regions. Bus services provide affordable connections. Parking is generally available in designated areas in and around the town centre.
Ruthin is compact and easily explored on foot. The town centre, with its shops, restaurants, and historical buildings, is pedestrian-friendly. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is recommended. Local bus services operate within the town and to neighbouring communities. Taxis are available for shorter journeys.
What are the things to do?
The historic town or city centre with its traditional architecture
Local landmarks, churches, and heritage buildings
Scenic viewpoints and natural attractions in the surrounding area
Nearby parks, gardens, and outdoor spaces
Walking tours exploring the town's heritage and architecture
Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and watersports in the surrounding area
Visiting local museums, galleries, and cultural centres
Exploring nearby countryside, coastline, or parks
Sampling local food and drink at pubs, restaurants, and cafes
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Ask on WhatsAppWhere to eat?
Dining options in Ruthin range from traditional gastropubs and cafés to fine-dining restaurants. Local specialities include fresh seafood, locally sourced meat and game, and seasonal produce. Many establishments pride themselves on using local ingredients and supporting regional producers.
Typical British pub fare (fish and chips, Sunday roasts, pies) is widely available, alongside international cuisines reflecting the area's diversity. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are increasingly common.
Where to drink?
Traditional pubs serving local ales are found throughout the town. Craft beer has a growing presence, with local microbreweries supplying both pubs and bottle shops. Tea rooms and cafés offer a quintessentially British experience. The area is well-served by coffee shops and independent roasters.
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Ask on WhatsAppWhere to stay?
Budget
- Budget hotels and hostel accommodation available, with dorm beds from £20/night.
Mid-range
- Bed & breakfasts and guesthouses offer doubles from £70–120 per night.
- Chain hotels (Premier Inn, Travelodge, Holiday Inn) provide consistent quality.
Upscale
- Boutique hotels, country house hotels, and historic inns offer doubles from £150.
What should you buy?
Local shops offer a range of goods from well-known brands to local crafts and speciality foods. Markets and independent retailers provide character and authentic finds. Typical opening hours are Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:30, with some stores open on Sundays. Many towns have a weekly market day.
Where to go next?
From Ruthin, travellers can easily continue exploring other destinations within Wales [Cymru GB-CYM] and the wider United Kingdom. The well-connected transport network makes it straightforward to reach neighbouring towns, cities, and attractions.
Nearby in Wales [Cymru GB-CYM]
More places to explore around Ruthin.
Guide content as of June 2026. Portions adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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