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Overview

Mighty fortress evokes the drama of medieval warfare

Denbigh Castle is all about drama. Cross the drawbridge into the triple-towered gatehouse and you’ll hear the portcullis thundering down, chains rattling and the din of horses and marching soldiers.

Don’t be too alarmed. It’s all down to sensors and the wonders of modern technology. But it’s a powerful reminder that this great fortress crowning a rocky outcrop above the Vale of Clwyd played a vital role in the wars that shaped Wales.

It was once the royal residence of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, whose attack on nearby Hawarden Castle provoked the English king Edward I to mount a full-scale invasion. By 1282 Denbigh was the in hands of the king’s commander Henry de Lacy.

He lost no time in building a huge stone fortress with extensive town walls on top of Dafydd’s stronghold. But the Welsh weren’t finished just yet. The half-complete castle was attacked and captured and, by the time they got it back, the English had changed the blueprint.

They made the curtain walls much higher, added the imposing gatehouse and inserted an ingenious ‘sally port’ – a secure secret doorway – so defenders could sneak out in an emergency.

How to visit

•    purchase your admission tickets on arrival (or book online)*
•    view our opening times and prices below
•    check Welsh Government health & safety advice before visiting.

*pre-booked tickets are non-refundable.

More about Denbigh Castle


Opening times

Thursday–Monday 10am–5pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

 

Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am–4pm

Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Closed Monday–Thursday

Closed 24, 25, 26 December and 1 January

Please note: during extreme weather conditions we may need to close monuments at short notice, please check our social media channels before visiting to ensure the site is open and safe to visit.

Facebook @CadwWales | Twitter @cadwwales


Prices & Tickets

Category Price
Member - Join now
Free
Adult
£5.00
Family*
£16.30
Disabled person and companion
Free
Juniors (Aged 5-17) / Students
£3.60
Seniors (Aged 65+)
£4.80

*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children 

All children under 5 receive free entry

Blue Light Card holders receive 10% off admission (not available online)


Facilities

Access guide icon Baby changing icon Bikes access icon Car park icon Dogs welcome icon Exhibition icon Gift shop icon Guidebook icon Drone policy icon No smoking icon Portable hearing icon School visits icon Toilets icon Venue hire icon Wi-Fi icon

Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.

Denbigh Castle — Access Guide

Toilets available with baby changing facilities.

Bike storage area available in car park or close to site.

Narrow road access to the castle car park which is situated approx. 100 metres from the castle entrance.
There is a gravelled car parking area adjacent to the castle which holds approx. 15 cars.
There is one dedicated accessible parking space.
 

Dogs on leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.

On-site exhibition within monument.

Gift shop at this site offering a range of products and guidebooks.

Site guidebook available to purchase online and in selected visitor centres.

Please read our policy information about flying drones at Cadw monuments: read the guidance

Smoking is not permitted.

A portable induction loop is available.

To book your free self-led education visit to this site, go to our self-led education visits section.

While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!

 

Toilets are located in the visitor centre.

This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.

Cadw free public WiFi available at this site.


Directions

Road
Denbigh via A525, A543 or B5382.
Rail
12km/7.5mls Abergele, Llandudno-Chester.
Bus
300m/330yards, route No 151/152, Rhyl/Denbigh.
Bike
NCN Route No.5 (17km/11mls).

Postcode LL16 3NB

For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0800 464 0000 or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 48 49 50.


Contact us

Telephone 03000 252239

Email
DenbighCastle@gov.wales

Address
Denbigh Castle
Castle Hill, Denbigh LL16 3NB

For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01745 813385
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.