Ruthin Travel Guide

An award winning restaurant with excellent fare, immaculately served, in the regal splendour of an ancient Welsh fortress.

When we were here during midweek there were only a few other people. For the weekend "Mediaeval Feast" or the "Traditional Sunday Lunch" reservations are suggested.

A collection of ten craft studios, a restaurant, and two galleries, Each shop displays the work of a different independent craftsman.

What to buy: In the photo Karen is purchasing a blown glass rocking horse from it's creator, John Assiter Tuppen. He is a well know artisan whose clients include members of the royal family.

What to pay: Typical tourist prices.

On the town square outside Barclays bank you will come across an old stone.
This is known as Maen Huail and is said to be linked to King Arthur.

The story goes that Arthur and Huail fought a duel over a lady. Arthur was injured by Huail who swore on pain of death never again to refer to the duel or Arthurs injury.

Some time later when Arthur was dancing at some festivities in the town Huail foolishly commented that he would dance better without the limp. Incensed that Huail had broken his promise and mockingly referred to his injury Arthur beheaded Huail there and then on the nearby stone.

What Arthur was doing in Ruthin noone knows.......

To ruin a good story this stone is most likely an erratic brought into the area by prehistoric glacial flow. An interesting story in itself.

If you are feeling energetic walk up Moel Famau (Mother of the mountains) part of the Clwydian range and take a walk to the Jubilee Tower built for George 3rd, now ruined and a fantastic viewpoint. You can drive to Blwch Pen Barras car park from nearby Ruthin if you are not feeling so energetic.

Even if you don't make it to the tower you will see some magnificent views including the nearby hillforts.There is a clear path so it makes the walk easier you even see people attempting it with buggies!

There are many waymarked tracks around here. The path to the Jubilee Tower has a free audio tour that you can download from the Heather and Hillforts Project site and the tour website
Audioguide2go
You might notice some posts with telephone numbers on them which will enable you to access the trail via your mobile.

On a good day you can see for miles, as far away as Snowdonia or Liverpool. Thankfully there are some benches where you can take a rest and survey your surroundings. You can also see strange cuts in the heather and gorse. These aren't a moorland version of crop circles and signs of alien life but specially cut sites for the rare black grouse to "lek" or strut around in order to impress potential mates.

You can take a path and a longer walk towards Loggerheads Country Park where you can visit the Cafe Flo or nip over the road to the Loggerheads pub. If this is a bit too far just return to the car park, and perhaps try the Drovers pub in Rhewl, or the Castle Hotel in Ruthin. Better still take a picnic with you in the first place but please take your rubbish home!