Denbigh Castle
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.
Denbigh Castle Guidebook
Buy your guidebook online today
10% off for Cadw members!
Opening times
Thursday–Monday 10am–5pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Friday–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 |
£4.80
|
| Family* |
£15.80
|
| Disabled person and companion |
Free
|
| Juniors (Aged 5-17) / NUS / Armed Forces and Veterans |
£3.40
|
| Seniors (Aged 65+) |
£4.60
|
|
*Admits 2 adults and up to 3 children All children under 5 receive free entry. |
|
Facilities
Please read our accessibility guidance for information on how to plan your visit.
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.
Cadw do not allow drone flying from or over its guardianship sites, except by contractors commissioned for a specific purpose, who satisfy stringent CAA criteria, have the correct insurances and are operating under controlled conditions.
Smoking is not permitted.
A portable induction loop is available.
Light refreshments are 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
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
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.
