Open Doors - Gorphwysfa

Gorphwysfa is listed grade II* as a substantial medieval box-framed town-house, developed in the late 17th century, the interior retaining good detail from both these periods and having group value with surrounding listed buildings in Castle Street.

It has a medieval hall and cross-wing of box-framed timber construction. The north cross-wing survives almost intact, but the south part of the hall was replaced by a late 17th century two-unit block. This 17th century block was partly raised and remodelled in the early 19th century.

Recent dendrochronology work has given one precise felling date in the winter of 1413/1414 and, together with compatible felling dates from two other timbers, this suggests the construction occurred in 1414 or soon after. It appears that 1225 is the tree planting date so that the tree was 189 years old when felled. The tree began life before the English conquest when Llywelyn Fawr, Tywysog Gwynedd, ruled the Perfeddwlad (now North-east Wales).

No booking required.

Gorphwysfa is located in Castle Street, Ruthin, LL15 1DP.
It is located about half-way along Castle Street and next door to the house Nantclwyd y Dre.

Ruthin is well served by buses, to and from Rhyl, Denbigh and Wrexham. Once in Ruthin, walk a short distance to St Peter's Square, and Castle Street leads south from the square towards Ruthin Castle.