Things to do in Denbighshire

An ancient and almost impregnable stronghold, 750 feet above Llangollen, of the Welsh princes probably built just before 1270 by Madog, prince of this part of Powys. The builders made cunning use of the natural defences afforded by the steep drop to the north and west - and also of the original Iron Age hillfort on the site. To the east and south, where the slopes are more gentle, a deep ditch was hewn out of solid rock. Towers and a barbican added further protection. The limestone hill formed such a good natural reservoir, the garrison would have no water supply problems should the castle be besieged. However, two wells were built to supplement their water supply and the castle was later taken by the English. The first time I visited this castle involved a steep 700 foot climb from the valley floor below. Subsequent visits to this fascinating ancient site revealed far easier climbs to the summit, including a car park three quarters the way up. Whatever route you take, the view from the top is well worth the effort and is without doubt the most spectacular of any castle in all of Wales. The crumbling ruins are simply stunning, set against such dramatic scenery in every direction. Watching the sun set from this ancient fortress is a special experience. A visit to Dinas Bran is an absolute must for anyone interested in castles, history or appreciates stunning atmospheric scenery.

Denbigh Castle is a ruined medieval fortification perched dramatically on a prominent limestone hill above the market town of Denbigh in Denbighshire, north Wales. It stands as one of the most impressive and historically resonant castle ruins in Wales, commanding sweeping views across the Vale of Clwyd and the surrounding Welsh countryside. The castle is a scheduled ancient monument and is cared for by Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, and draws visitors from across Wales and beyond who come to walk its walls, explore its towers, and absorb centuries of turbulent Welsh and English history. Its position on the hilltop is not merely scenic — it was deliberately chosen for its strategic dominance over the valley and the important routes that passed through it. The castle's origins lie in the immediate aftermath of Edward I of England's second Welsh campaign. Following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, in 1282, Edward granted the lordship of Denbigh to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who began construction of the castle and its associated walled town around 1282 to 1283. The great gatehouse, which remains the most complete and architecturally striking part of the site, was designed with three octagonal towers and represents some of the finest military architecture of the late thirteenth century. The town walls that de Lacy built to enclose the new English borough on the hillside were intended to create a secure English colonial settlement in the heart of north Wales, and significant stretches of those walls still survive today. The castle changed hands several times over the centuries and was besieged on numerous occasions, including during the Owain Glyndŵr rebellion in the early fifteenth century when Welsh forces sought to reclaim it. The castle's later history is no less dramatic. During the Wars of the Roses it was contested between Lancastrian and Yorkist factions, and during the English Civil War of the seventeenth century it was held for the Royalist cause, enduring a lengthy Parliamentary siege from 1645 to 1646 before finally surrendering. It was after this last military use that the castle fell into the gradual ruin in which it stands today. One particularly poignant chapter in the site's story is the unfinished church begun in the outer ward by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, in the late sixteenth century. Dudley had been granted the lordship of Denbigh by Queen Elizabeth I and he conceived an ambitious plan to build a new cathedral to replace St Asaph Cathedral, but the project was never completed and the shell of the Leicester Church — as it is known — still stands as a romantic and melancholy reminder of grand ambitions left unfulfilled. Visiting Denbigh Castle in person is a genuinely atmospheric experience. The ruins are substantial enough to convey real grandeur, and the great gatehouse in particular is impressively intact, its three towers rising from the hillside with considerable authority. Walking through the gatehouse passage and into the interior of the castle gives a tangible sense of the scale and ambition of the original construction. The stonework is weathered and lichen-covered, warm gold and grey in sunshine, and the grassy interior of the ward opens out to wide sky and long views. On a breezy day the wind moves through the ruined towers with an eerie whistle, and the town of Denbigh sits quietly below, its rooftops and church tower visible from the battlements. The site rewards slow exploration, and visitors who take time to walk the surviving sections of the town walls will find further towers and gateways that reveal how extensive the medieval defences once were. The surrounding landscape is dominated by the broad and beautiful Vale of Clwyd, one of the most fertile and visually striking valleys in Wales. The Clwydian Range hills rise to the east, forming the boundary between the coastal lowlands and the Welsh interior, while to the west the land rolls toward Conwy and Snowdonia. The town of Denbigh itself is a characterful small town with an independent high street, local pubs and cafes, and a strong Welsh cultural identity. The area around Denbigh is rich in other points of interest, including Ruthin, another attractive medieval town with its own castle a short drive to the south, and the cathedral city of St Asaph just to the north, which contains the smallest ancient cathedral in Britain. Practically speaking, Denbigh Castle is straightforward to visit. The site is managed by Cadw and an admission fee applies for access to the castle interior, though the exterior and town walls can be explored freely. The castle is generally open from spring through to autumn, with reduced or no access in winter months, so checking the Cadw website before visiting is advisable. Denbigh itself is accessible by road via the A525 and A543, and sits roughly between the A55 north Wales expressway and the market town of Ruthin. Parking is available in the town and it is a short walk up the hill to the castle entrance. The terrain within the site is uneven and involves slopes and steps, so visitors with mobility difficulties should be aware that access to some areas may be challenging. The castle is particularly rewarding to visit on a clear day when the views across the Vale of Clwyd are at their best. Among the more intriguing lesser-known details associated with the site is the fact that the explorer Henry Morton Stanley, famous for his search for David Livingstone in Africa and his utterance of the phrase "Dr Livingstone, I presume," spent part of his childhood in Denbigh. He was born John Rowlands in 1841 and was raised for a period in the St Asaph Union Workhouse, and his connection to the town is commemorated locally. The castle's association with Henry de Lacy also has a melancholy footnote — de Lacy's young son drowned in the castle well during construction, a tragedy sometimes cited in historical accounts of the site. The combination of its extraordinary gatehouse architecture, its layered and turbulent history, its connection to the broader story of the English conquest of Wales, and its setting above a living Welsh town makes Denbigh Castle one of the most rewarding and undervisited castles in the whole of Wales.

Rhuddlan Castle is one of the great strongholds of Edward I’s iron ring of fortresses in North Wales, famous for its massive red sandstone walls, concentric design and its central role in the conquest of the Welsh princes. Its imposing riverside setting on the Clwyd gives it an unmistakable presence even in ruin. The castle was laid out as a concentric fortress, with a powerful inner ward protected by a second, outer enceinte. The inner ward contains two enormous twin-towered gatehouses, one to the north and one to the south, both of which still stand to impressive height. Between these stand thick curtain walls with projecting round mural towers, providing strong defensive lines and interlocking fields of fire. The outer ward, also defended by a complete circuit of walls and towers, enclosed service buildings, workshops, stables and accommodation areas. The entire fortress was surrounded by a deep, water filled moat that could be controlled by sluices linked to the nearby River Clwyd. One remarkable feature of Rhuddlan is the engineered river project that accompanied its construction. Edward I ordered the River Clwyd to be straightened and dredged for over two miles, allowing ships to sail directly up to the castle docks. This transformed Rhuddlan into a fortified supply base and a symbol of colonial power unlike anything else in Wales at the time. Construction began in 1277, shortly after Edward’s first campaign against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Royal master mason James of St George oversaw much of the design. By 1282 the fortress was near completion and served as one of the most secure English centres in the north. It was here in 1284 that Edward issued the Statute of Rhuddlan, which formally imposed English law and administration upon Wales. Although Rhuddlan was repeatedly threatened during periods of Welsh resistance, including the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr, it was never successfully taken by Welsh forces. It continued as an administrative centre through the medieval period but declined in importance after the Middle Ages. In 1646, during the English Civil War, the castle surrendered to Parliament and was later slighted to prevent further military use. Today, Rhuddlan Castle remains one of the finest castle ruins in Wales. Its soaring walls, majestic gatehouses and rippling moat still convey the power, ambition and architectural sophistication of the late thirteenth century. The site is managed by Cadw and is a key monument for understanding the English conquest of Wales. Alternate names: Rhuddlan Castle, Castell Rhuddlan Rhuddlan Castle Rhuddlan Castle is one of the great strongholds of Edward I’s iron ring of fortresses in North Wales, famous for its massive red sandstone walls, concentric design and its central role in the conquest of the Welsh princes. Its imposing riverside setting on the Clwyd gives it an unmistakable presence even in ruin. The castle was laid out as a concentric fortress, with a powerful inner ward protected by a second, outer enceinte. The inner ward contains two enormous twin-towered gatehouses, one to the north and one to the south, both of which still stand to impressive height. Between these stand thick curtain walls with projecting round mural towers, providing strong defensive lines and interlocking fields of fire. The outer ward, also defended by a complete circuit of walls and towers, enclosed service buildings, workshops, stables and accommodation areas. The entire fortress was surrounded by a deep, water filled moat that could be controlled by sluices linked to the nearby River Clwyd. One remarkable feature of Rhuddlan is the engineered river project that accompanied its construction. Edward I ordered the River Clwyd to be straightened and dredged for over two miles, allowing ships to sail directly up to the castle docks. This transformed Rhuddlan into a fortified supply base and a symbol of colonial power unlike anything else in Wales at the time. Construction began in 1277, shortly after Edward’s first campaign against Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Royal master mason James of St George oversaw much of the design. By 1282 the fortress was near completion and served as one of the most secure English centres in the north. It was here in 1284 that Edward issued the Statute of Rhuddlan, which formally imposed English law and administration upon Wales. Although Rhuddlan was repeatedly threatened during periods of Welsh resistance, including the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr, it was never successfully taken by Welsh forces. It continued as an administrative centre through the medieval period but declined in importance after the Middle Ages. In 1646, during the English Civil War, the castle surrendered to Parliament and was later slighted to prevent further military use. Today, Rhuddlan Castle remains one of the finest castle ruins in Wales. Its soaring walls, majestic gatehouses and rippling moat still convey the power, ambition and architectural sophistication of the late thirteenth century. The site is managed by Cadw and is a key monument for understanding the English conquest of Wales.

Horseshoe Falls is a graceful artificial weir situated on the River Dee, known in Welsh as Afon Dyfrdwy, approximately two miles northwest of the historic market town of Llangollen in Denbighshire, Wales. Despite its name suggesting a natural cascade, this impressive structure was engineered in the early nineteenth century as part of Thomas Telford's ambitious infrastructure project to supply water to the Llangollen Canal. The weir creates a curved, horseshoe-shaped crest that spans the width of the river, from which water tumbles over a drop of approximately four to five metres in a smooth, elegant sheet during normal flow conditions. The design deliberately creates a controlled overflow that feeds the canal system while maintaining the river's natural course downstream, making it a remarkable example of Georgian-era civil engineering that has seamlessly blended into the landscape over two centuries. The River Dee itself rises in the high moorlands of Snowdonia, flowing eastward through the Dee Valley before eventually reaching the sea near Chester. At Horseshoe Falls, the river has carved its course through a landscape shaped by ancient geological forces, with the underlying bedrock consisting primarily of Carboniferous limestone and mudstones that characterise much of North Wales. The valley here is relatively narrow, with wooded slopes rising on either side, creating a sheltered environment that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the falls. The weir was constructed using local stone, carefully shaped to create the distinctive curved profile that gives the site its name, and the craftsmanship remains remarkably intact despite decades of seasonal flooding and the constant force of the river. Constructed between 1808 and 1813 under the direction of Thomas Telford, one of Britain's most celebrated civil engineers, Horseshoe Falls was built specifically to serve as the feeder for the Llangollen Canal, which required a reliable water source to maintain navigable levels along its length. The canal itself was part of the Ellesmere Canal project, designed to transport slate and limestone from Welsh quarries to the industrial heartlands of England. The ingenious design of the weir allows water to be diverted into a channel that runs alongside the river before entering the canal proper, ensuring a steady supply regardless of seasonal variations in river flow. This engineering solution has functioned continuously for over two hundred years, testament to Telford's skill and foresight, and today the Llangollen Canal and its associated structures, including Horseshoe Falls, form part of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised in 2009. The landscape surrounding Horseshoe Falls is characteristically Welsh, with mixed deciduous woodland clothing the valley sides and open pasture on the higher ground. Oak, ash, and birch trees predominate in the riverside woods, providing habitat for a diverse range of bird species including dippers, grey wagtails, and kingfishers, all of which are frequently observed along this stretch of the Dee. The river itself supports populations of brown trout and grayling, while the clean, well-oxygenated water flowing over the weir creates ideal conditions for aquatic invertebrates. During spring and early summer, the banks are adorned with wildflowers including bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic, while the damp environment near the falls encourages ferns and mosses to thrive on the rocks and tree trunks. Access to Horseshoe Falls is relatively straightforward and forms a popular destination for both local residents and visitors exploring the Llangollen area. A well-maintained footpath follows the course of the canal towpath from Llangollen, offering a level and accessible walk of approximately two miles that passes through attractive countryside before reaching the falls. The route is suitable for families and is particularly popular with walkers, cyclists, and narrowboat enthusiasts who navigate the canal. From the canal feeder channel, visitors can view the weir from above, though a more dramatic perspective can be gained by taking paths that descend closer to the river level, where the full sweep of the horseshoe curve and the tumbling water become apparent. The site features basic facilities including informational panels that explain the engineering history and ecological significance of the falls. The name "Horseshoe Falls" derives purely from the distinctive curved shape of the weir rather than any historical or folkloric association, distinguishing it from many Welsh waterfalls that carry names rooted in legend or ancient tradition. Nevertheless, the River Dee itself features prominently in Welsh history and mythology, having long served as a crucial boundary and source of sustenance for communities throughout the valley. The strategic importance of the Dee Valley is evidenced by the proximity of Valle Crucis Abbey and Castell Dinas Brân, medieval structures that overlook Llangollen from nearby hillsides, reminding visitors that this landscape has been shaped by human activity for centuries. Throughout the year, Horseshoe Falls presents different aspects depending on seasonal conditions and river levels. During periods of high rainfall, particularly in autumn and winter, the Dee can swell dramatically, and the falls become a powerful torrent with water cascading forcefully over the entire width of the weir, creating impressive displays of spray and generating a resonant roar that can be heard from considerable distance. Conversely, during drier summer months, the flow may diminish to a more gentle curtain of water, though the canal feeder continues to function effectively due to the careful calibration of the weir's design. This variability adds to the appeal of the site, ensuring that repeat visitors experience different moods and atmospheres depending on when they choose to make the journey from Llangollen.

Rhaeadr Cynwyd is a picturesque waterfall located on the Afon Trystion near the village of Cynwyd in Denbighshire, North Wales. Situated in the verdant landscape of the Dee Valley, this cascade represents one of the lesser-known but nonetheless charming waterfalls in this part of Wales. The waterfall is positioned at OS Grid Reference SJ064405, placing it in countryside that typifies the rolling hills and wooded valleys characteristic of this region where the higher moorlands of the Berwyn Mountains begin their descent toward the fertile valley floors. The Afon Trystion is a tributary stream that flows through the area surrounding Cynwyd before joining the River Dee downstream. Like many Welsh waterfalls, Rhaeadr Cynwyd's character and flow are heavily influenced by rainfall, with the cascade becoming particularly impressive following periods of wet weather when the stream swells with runoff from the surrounding hills. The underlying geology of the area consists of rocks from the Silurian period, typical of much of this part of North Wales, which have been carved and shaped by glacial action and subsequent water erosion over millennia to create the topography that gives rise to such waterfalls. The village of Cynwyd itself has a long history as a settlement in the Dee Valley, serving as a gateway to the higher country of the Berwyns. The name "Rhaeadr" is the Welsh word for waterfall, a term found throughout Wales wherever cascading water features prominently in the landscape. While this particular waterfall may not feature prominently in recorded folklore in the way that some larger Welsh waterfalls do, it nonetheless forms part of the traditional landscape that would have been intimately familiar to generations of local farming communities and travelers passing through this valley. The surrounding landscape is typical of upland Wales, with a mixture of improved pasture in the valley bottoms, rougher grazing on the hillsides, and patches of deciduous and coniferous woodland. The area supports a variety of Welsh wildlife including birds such as buzzards, red kites, and various woodland species, while the stream itself would historically have supported populations of brown trout and other freshwater species. The vegetation around the waterfall likely includes mosses, ferns, and lichens that thrive in the damp microclimate created by the spray and moisture from the falling water. Access to Rhaeadr Cynwyd would typically be via footpaths and minor roads in the Cynwyd area, though as with many rural Welsh waterfalls, reaching it may require walking across farmland or through woodland. The village of Cynwyd is accessible from the B4401 road that runs through the Dee Valley, and the waterfall would be within walking distance for those exploring the local footpath network. Visitors to the area should be mindful of the countryside code, respecting farmland and wildlife, and being prepared for potentially muddy or uneven terrain, particularly after rainfall when paths can become slippery.

Dyserth Falls, known locally as Rhaeadr Dyserth, is a striking waterfall located in the village of Dyserth in Denbighshire, North Wales. The waterfall has a dramatic vertical drop of approximately 70 feet (21 metres), making it one of the most impressive single-drop waterfalls in the region. The Afon Ffyddion plunges over a sheer limestone cliff face in a single cascade, creating a spectacular natural feature that has drawn visitors for centuries. The volume of water flowing over the falls varies considerably with the seasons and recent rainfall, with the most impressive displays occurring during wetter periods when the river is in full spate. The narrow gorge setting amplifies the visual and auditory impact of the falling water, which creates a constant roar and a cool, misty atmosphere at the base of the falls. The geological setting of Dyserth Falls is integral to its character and formation. The waterfall has been carved through Carboniferous limestone, which dominates the landscape of this part of North Wales. The Afon Ffyddion rises in the hills to the south of Dyserth and flows northward through agricultural land before reaching the dramatic escarpment where the falls are located. The limestone geology has created the vertical cliff over which the water plunges, and the erosive power of the river has gradually cut back into the softer rock layers, though the hard limestone cap has maintained the waterfall's dramatic profile. The gorge below the falls shows clear evidence of this geological process, with exposed rock faces revealing the stratification of the limestone beds. The falls have a rich history intertwined with the development of Dyserth village itself. In the medieval period, the waterfall's power was harnessed for industrial purposes, and ruins of an old mill can still be seen near the base of the falls. During the Victorian era, Dyserth Falls became a popular tourist attraction, part of the growth in domestic tourism that saw many natural features in Wales promoted to visitors from industrial towns in England. The Victorians created pathways and viewing platforms to allow visitors better access to appreciate the falls, and the site became a fixture in tourist guides of the period. Old postcards and photographs from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries show formally dressed visitors posing near the cascade, testament to the waterfall's enduring appeal as a destination. Welsh folklore and legend have long been associated with Dyserth Falls, as with many dramatic natural features in Wales. Local traditions speak of the falls as a place of spiritual significance, and the constant presence of water and the enclosed nature of the gorge create an atmosphere that has inspired storytelling through generations. The name Dyserth itself derives from Welsh words meaning "hermit's dwelling" or "desert place," suggesting that the area around the falls may have served as a site of religious contemplation in earlier centuries. The combination of natural beauty and isolation would have made it an ideal location for hermits or religious communities seeking solitude and connection with nature. Access to Dyserth Falls is relatively straightforward, making it an accessible attraction for visitors of varying mobility levels. The falls are located just a short walk from the centre of Dyserth village, and the main viewing area can be reached via a well-maintained footpath. The approach takes visitors through a wooded area that adds to the sense of discovery and anticipation before the falls come into view. There is a viewing platform positioned to give an excellent perspective of the full height of the cascade, allowing visitors to appreciate both the scale and power of the falling water. The paths around the falls can be steep and slippery, particularly in wet conditions, so appropriate footwear is recommended. The site is managed to balance public access with conservation concerns, and interpretation boards provide information about the geology, history, and natural history of the area. The landscape surrounding Dyserth Falls is characterized by mixed woodland that thrives in the humid microclimate created by the constant spray from the waterfall. The gorge and its environs support a variety of plant species that favour damp conditions, including ferns, mosses, and liverworts that cover the rock faces with a verdant tapestry. The wooded area provides habitat for numerous bird species, and the sound of songbirds often mingles with the roar of the falls during spring and summer months. The river below the falls continues through the village and eventually flows into the Irish Sea, though the stretch immediately below the cascade retains a wild character despite the proximity to habitation. Dyserth Falls holds the distinction of being one of the few easily accessible major waterfalls in North Wales that features a single vertical drop rather than a series of cascades. This characteristic, combined with its height and the dramatic limestone setting, makes it a significant natural feature within Denbighshire. The waterfall has been featured in various paintings and photographs over the years, contributing to the visual record of Welsh landscapes. Despite its proximity to more famous attractions along the North Wales coast, Dyserth Falls maintains a relatively quiet charm, often enjoyed by local residents and visitors seeking a peaceful natural experience away from busier tourist sites. The combination of accessibility, natural beauty, geological interest, and historical significance ensures that Dyserth Falls remains an important feature in the cultural and natural heritage of this part of Wales.

Moel Famau is the highest summit in the Clwydian Range, rising to 555 metres above sea level in northeast Wales within the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The mountain is one of the most popular walking destinations in North Wales and provides some of the finest panoramic views available anywhere in northeast Wales, taking in Snowdonia, the Cheshire Plain, the Mersey estuary, the Liverpool skyline and on exceptionally clear days the Lake District fells across the water. The summit is crowned by the remains of the Jubilee Tower, a monument commissioned to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of King George III in 1810 but never completed as designed due to funding shortfalls and the subsequent death of the king. The truncated stump that stands today is a fraction of the intended structure, which was planned as an obelisk of considerable height, but it has become an integral part of the mountain's character and provides a useful landmark for orientating the panoramic view. The mountain forms part of Offa's Dyke, the earthwork boundary constructed in the eighth century AD by the Mercian king Offa to delineate the border between his kingdom and the Welsh kingdoms to the west. Sections of the original dyke earthwork are visible in the surrounding landscape, and the Offa's Dyke Path National Trail passes along the ridgeline of the Clwydian Range, of which Moel Famau forms the centrepiece. Walking the ridge section between Bodfari and Llandegla, with Moel Famau at its highest point, is one of the classic day walks in northeast Wales. The heather moorland on the upper slopes of Moel Famau provides habitat for red grouse, merlin and skylarks, while the lower wooded slopes and the deciduous woodland in the valleys below the hill support a rich variety of woodland birds. The Moel Famau Country Park managed by Natural Resources Wales provides car parking, waymarked trails and picnic facilities that make the mountain accessible to families and walkers of all abilities. The approach from Cilcain to the west and from the Bwlch Penbarra car park directly below the summit are the two most popular routes, the latter being a relatively short climb suitable for families in reasonable health.

Twthill Castle is a small earthwork motte-and-bailey castle in the centre of Caernarfon in Gwynedd, North Wales, built at the command of William the Conqueror by Robert of Rhuddlan in the 1080s as part of the initial Norman advance into north Wales. The castle predates the great Edwardian fortification of Caernarfon by two centuries and represents the earliest phase of Norman fortification in this part of Wales, when earthwork mottes were quickly thrown up to establish control over newly seized territories. The motte stands within walking distance of the magnificent Caernarfon Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing an interesting contrast between the earliest and most developed phases of Norman and Plantagenet castle construction in north Wales. The name derives from the Welsh Tŵr Twll meaning the hollow tower.

Valle Crucis Abbey near Llangollen in the Dee Valley is the finest Cistercian abbey ruin in Wales, a thirteenth-century monastery set in a green valley below the Llantysilio Mountains whose combination of the substantial surviving fabric, the beautiful setting and the medieval fish pond still filled with water creates one of the most atmospheric monastic ruins in the country. Cadw manages the abbey and the combination of the architectural quality of the ruins and the pastoral valley setting provides an experience of considerable beauty and historical depth. The abbey was founded in 1201 by Madog ap Gruffudd Maelor, Prince of Powys Fadog, as a Cistercian house in the tradition of remote valley monasteries that the Cistercians favoured across their European expansion. The west front of the abbey church, surviving to considerable height and retaining the remains of the great rose window in its gable, is the finest single feature of the ruins and one of the most impressive pieces of medieval architecture in north Wales. The monks' dormitory, the only building surviving with its original roof, provides the most complete interior space of the abbey complex and is used as a small museum of finds from the site. The abbot's lodging adjacent to the church contains the tomb slabs of several abbots of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries in a well-preserved condition. The Pillar of Eliseg, an early ninth-century stone monument with a carved Latin inscription, stands in a field above the abbey and provides a further dimension of historical interest in this exceptionally rich valley.

Bodelwyddan Castle near Rhyl in Denbighshire, north Wales, is a Victorian country house that served as an outstation of the National Portrait Gallery from 1988 until 2019, displaying a significant collection of Victorian portraits within the historic fabric of the castle. The castle was originally a medieval hall house, substantially rebuilt and castellated in the nineteenth century to create the imposing Gothic Revival building that stands today. The white-painted castellated facade is a prominent landmark in the Vale of Clwyd, and the adjacent church of St Margaret with its remarkable spire is known as the Marble Church due to the extensive marble decoration of its interior. The castle is set within grounds that include formal gardens and a woodland walk. Following the withdrawal of the National Portrait Gallery collection, the castle is being developed as an independent heritage and events venue.