Denbigh, Leicester's Church

Visitor Notice

This site is now open to view or visit.

In line with Welsh Government advice and guidance, we have started to reopen a selection of our unstaffed heritage sites in a safe and controlled way — for the benefit of local communities.

We are pleased to announce that this monument is now open and is free to view or visit with no pre-booking required. Please adhere to our new visitation guidelines, act responsibly and be respectful towards the site and its local area at all times.

Site opening times, parking and other available facilities at our reopened sites may have changed. Please check this site’s webpage carefully for specific updates.

For further information on what to expect and how to stay safe during your visit, please read our FAQs page.

Overview

Remains of an ill-fated Elizabethan church

Conceived by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite, this church, located within Denbigh’s old town walls, had big ambitions. Intended to be the grandest of the period, it was the first large episcopal building designed for Protestant service and a potential replacement for St Asaph Cathedral.

However, this glorious future was not to be. Begun in 1578, work only progressed as far as window height before ceasing in 1584 due to lack of finances. When Dudley died unexpectedly in 1588 construction was abandoned completely, leaving his ambitious project forever unfinished.