Rhuddlan Castle
Overview
Awesome feat of engineering still towers above the River Clwyd
King Edward I liked his castles to be on the coast. It was safer that way. If his ruthless campaign to subdue the Welsh ran into trouble, supplies could still get through by sea.
At Rhuddlan, several miles inland, the plan was to use a river instead. Just one problem – the meandering Clwyd wasn’t quite in the right place. So Edward conscripted hundreds of ditch-diggers to deepen and divert its course.
More than seven centuries later Rhuddlan still looks like a castle that was worth moving a river for. Begun in 1277 it was the first of the revolutionary concentric, or ‘walls within walls’, castles designed by master architect James of St George.
Most impressive was the inner diamond-shaped stronghold with its twin-towered gatehouses. This sat inside a ring of lower turreted walls. Further beyond was a deep dry moat linked to the River Clwyd.
This bristling statement of Edwardian intent guarded a new town surrounded by ditched defences. You can still clearly make out the medieval grid layout of the streets in modern-day Rhuddlan.
Rhuddlan Castle Pamphlet Guide
Buy your guidebook online today
10% off for Cadw members!
Opening times
Thursday–Monday 10am–5pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Closed
Prices & Tickets
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Member - Join now |
Free
|
| Adult |
£4.80
|
| Family* |
£15.80
|
| Disabled 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
Bike storage area available in car park or close to the monument.
On site parking available for approx 25 cars.
Dogs on leads welcome to access ground floor levels of the site.
Good access from the car park to the castle.
The grounds are level and laid to grass.
Some unprotected drops.
There is 1 dedicated disabled parking space.
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, follow these simple steps in our self-led education visits section.
While you're there, check out our free learning resources to help with your time travel adventure!
This site is available to hire for events, filming and exhibitions.
Water refill station available at this site.
Directions
Postcode LL18 5AD.
For further information, please contact: Traveline Cymru on 0871 200 2233 or National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.
Contact us
Telephone 03000 252239
Email
RhuddlanCastle@gov.wales
Castle St, Rhuddlan LL18 5AD
For contractors, educational visits and deliveries please ring 01745 590777
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg / We welcome calls in Welsh.
