Clwyd Hotels

Real reviews from real travelers

Top Clwyd hotels

Llangollen Hotels: 70 Reviews - 186 Photos
Prestatyn Hotels: 16 Reviews - 5 Photos
Ruthin Hotels: 7 Reviews - 12 Photos
Connahs Quay Hotels: 5 Reviews - 25 Photos
Colwyn Bay Hotels: 5 Reviews - 13 Photos
Bodelwyddan Hotels: 1 Review - 1 Photo
Wrexham Hotels: 8 Reviews - 10 Photos
Talacre Hotels: 7 Reviews - 15 Photos
Pentre Voelas Hotels: 1 Hotel
Mold Hotels: 6 Reviews - 13 Photos
Holywell Hotels: 2 Reviews - 4 Photos
Flint Hotels: 4 Reviews - 18 Photos
Denbigh Hotels: 22 Reviews - 69 Photos
Caerwys Hotels: 1 Hotel

Clwyd Things to Do

Llangollen

by balhannah

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Llangollen
by balhannah
Chirk entrance gates
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Llangollen
by balhannah
Things to Do
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Chirk Aqueduct
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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Ruthin Castle

by Elena77

Ruthin castle was built in 1277 by order of King Edward I who handed the fortress over to the Welsh Prince Dafydd ap Gruffydd. It is one of the oldest castles of Wales and it has been built years before great fortresses like, for example, Caernarfon or Conwy. It was 1st known as Castell Coch yn yr Gwernfor (the red castle in the great marsh). The fortress originally consisted of 2 wards and 5 round towers guarding the inner ward. All that remains today are 3 of these towers and the ruined double-towered gatehouse. Ruthin castle is situated by the river Clwyd overlooking the eponymous little market town. In 1646 the castle survived an 11 week siege during the Civil War but was demolished in 1648. In 1827 it has largely been rebuilt and today serves as a hotel. It is surrounded by beautiful parks and woodlands.And as any proper British castle Ruthin does, of course, also houses a ghost....

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Denbigh Castle and Town Walls

by Elena77

Denbigh Castle and Town Walls are much the largest, the strongest and the best preserved of all borderlands fortresses. Here in 1282 Edward I's general Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, began a new link in the English chain of castles, on the site of a long-established Welsh princely court - perhaps Dinas Fechan (the "little fort") which gave Denbigh its name. Here too he founded a new defended town for English immigrants, compulsorily "transplanting" the existing Welsh inhabitants. In 1294 these retaliated by ravaging the unfinished works, which were recovered only after the intervention of a large royal army. On the summit of Caledfryn Hill stands the core of the stronghold, the castle itself, its walls defended by 7 towers and a new-style "keep-gatehouse" - the most elaborate in Wales. Beyond, acting as an outer defence, is the fortified town, with (still largely surviving) walls with a...

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Dinas Brân Castle

by Elena77

The dramatically situated ruins of Dinas Brân Castle were built within the ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort. There are conflicted records of who built the castle, but the prevalent opinion is that it was Gruffydd Maelor I, who started to raise a castle in the 1260s. From its lofty heights, towering above the Dee valley, the princes of Powys Fadoc ruled this Northern part of Wales. Much to the chagrin of Edward I, who sent the Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy, to besiege the castle. The Welsh lords were forced to submit after the castle was set on fire and largely destroyed. After another insurrection in 1282 by Dafydd ap Gruffydd, the castle was again captured and given, together with the lands North of the Dee to the marcher lord John de Warenne, Earl of Surrey. This was the end of the independence of the principalities of Northern Powys, and the castle was never repaired. But in 1402,...

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Valle Crucis Abbey

by Elena77

Valle Crucis Abbey (Abaty Glyn y Groes) lies in the Dee (Dyfrdwy) valley 3 km North of the town of Llangollen. It was an ideal location for the Cistercians, medieval monks who deliverately sought out wild and lonely places. The abbey's name means "Valley of the Cross" and it refers to the 9th century Pillar of Eliseg which stands nearby (erected by Cyngen ap Cadell (died 855), king of Powys, in honour of his great-grandfather Elisedd ap Gwylog). The abbey suffered a serious fire in 1236; traces of burning are still visible on the lower stonework of the church and the South range. Substantial rebuilding had already taken place when the abbey found itself on the losing side during Edward I's Welsh campaigns in 1276-1277 and 1282-1283. Many original 14th century features remain, including the glorious West front complete with a richly carved doorway and the beautiful rose window. Despite of...

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Rhuddlan Castle

by Elena77

Begun in 1277, it was built as one of the "iron ring" fortresses put in place by Edward I of England to subdue and control his Welsh conquests. It was the 1st of the revolutionary "concentric fortresses"; followed by, for example, Conwy, Caernarfon, Harlech and Beaumaris. Rhuddlan castle was able to obtain supplies by sea (which is over 3 km away) due to the canalisation of the river Clwyd: a mammoth task involving 1.800 ditches, taking 3 years to complete. The main buildings were grouped against the inner walls, and included the great hall, a kitchen and a chapel, but these can now only be traced through their foundations. The castle walls show an interesting contrast between the warm sandstone core and the grey stone covering. According to the oldest versions of the tale, it was at Rhuddlan castle (and not at Caernarfon) that Edward I proclaimed his baby son the first Prince of Wales...

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Ewloe Castle

by sue_stone

Ewloe Castle is intriguing. It is not a fairytale castle like Conwy, but instead is a hidden gem in the green woodlands of North East Wales. Located 1 mile north west of Hawarden, just off the A55, Ewloe is a ruinous castle located in a beautiful valley. It is hard to find, with only a small roadside sign pointing it out. There is a pull-over lane off the road where you can park and then you need to walk straight across the green field to the woodlands in the distance. Go through the small gate and you will see the remains of the castle through the trees.This is a very peaceful place. We were the only people around. Birds were chirping and a small stream was running just below the castle. Although in ruins, the castle was still pretty special to me. You can climb to the top of one of the remaining towers and look out over the leafy valley.This is one of those off the beaten track places...