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Ruthin Castle
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The medieval ruins
The new Castell Rhuthun (Ruthin Castle) hotel; attached to the old castle.

Ruthin Castle (Welsh: Castell Rhuthun) is a medieval castle fortification in Wales, near the town of Ruthin in the Vale of Clwyd. It was constructed during the late 13th century by Dafydd ap Gruffydd, the brother of Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, on a red sandstone ridge overlooking the valley. Part of the ancient walls still remain and now form part of the Ruthin Castle Hotel.

History

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Ruthin Castle occupies a site that was first used as an Iron Age fort. In 1277, Edward I of England granted the land to Dafydd ap Gruffydd in gratitude for his assistance during the invasion of North Wales. It is unclear whether there was an existing fort on the site or whether Dafydd established the castle.[1] The castle was originally given the Welsh name of Castell Coch yn yr Gwernfor (Welsh Red Castle in the Great Marsh).[2]

The castle was most notably the base of that branch of the noble de Grey family accorded the title "Barons Grey de Ruthyn" and the head of their marcher lordship of Dyffryn Clwyd. It was a base for Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn – the man who could be said to have sparked the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr.[1]

Between 1579 and 1580, the Castle was used for the imprisonment and torture of Welsh poet, recusant schoolmaster Richard Gwyn, who was hanged, drawn, and quartered at Wrexham on 15 October 1584. Gwyn was canonized in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales.[3]

At the start of the English Civil War the castle was in a state of disrepair and the necessary works were hastily performed to make it defensible. It withstood an eleven-week siege by parliamentary troops in 1646 before surrendering when the attackers announced that they intended to lay mines under the walls. Oliver Cromwell's forces later dismantled and demolished the castle, in a process of organised de-fortification called slighting.[1]

In modern times

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In 1923 the castle became Britain's first private hospital for the investigation and treatment of obscure internal diseases,[citation needed] but this was closed in about 1950. Since the 1960s the castle remains have been incorporated into a hotel. A guest was Prince Charles, who stayed for the night before his investiture as Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1969.[2] The castle is said to be haunted;[citation needed] because of this reputation, it was investigated by the paranormal investigation show Most Haunted in 2018.

References

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Further reading

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[edit]
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Ruthin Castle

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from Grokipedia
Ruthin Castle (Welsh: Castell Rhuthun) is a in , , , constructed beginning in 1277 as part of King Edward I's military campaign against the Welsh principality following the defeat of . The castle was initially granted to Dafydd ap Gruffudd, brother of Llywelyn and a Welsh prince who had allied with before rebelling in 1282, after which it passed to Reginald de Grey, Justiciar of Chester. Built on a ridge with defensive ditches and a dry , it featured an upper pentagonal ward and lower ward constructed from local rubble, serving as a strategic outpost in the Vale of Clwyd. The castle withstood significant assaults, including an attack during Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion in 1400 and an 11-week siege by Parliamentarian forces in 1646 during the , after which it was partially demolished as a measure. By the , the ruins had deteriorated, prompting the construction of a Gothic Revival mansion within them between 1825 and 1826 by Frederick West, which was later remodelled in 1849–1852 under architect Henry Clutton with interior work by . This Victorian structure, incorporating medieval remnants such as the Great Gatehouse and Chequer Tower, was converted into a in 1963 and continues to operate as Ruthin Castle Hotel & Spa, preserving its historical fabric amid modern hospitality use.

Geography and Strategic Context

Location and Surrounding Area

Ruthin Castle is located in the town of , , in northeastern , on Castle Street within the LL15 postcode area. The site occupies a ridge at the head of the Vale of (Dyffryn Clwyd), positioned approximately 100 feet above the adjacent marshland known as Y Gwernfor. The Vale of Clwyd forms a broad, flat-bottomed valley containing the River Clwyd, which flows northward for about 30 kilometers from near Ruthin to the coast at . The castle overlooks the river and the valley's low-lying pastures, with the of hills rising to the east as a natural topographic boundary. This positioning at the valley's southern extent provided oversight of fertile agricultural lands historically vital for production and settlement. Ruthin's , nestled amid the Clwydian hills, enhanced the site's defensibility by commanding routes into the vale from higher ground, while the surrounding area's meandering and diversified supported medieval economic activities like cloth manufacturing. The location's proximity to the facilitated control over and movement in a region long recognized as one of northeastern ' key settlements.

Topographical Features and Defensive Role

Ruthin Castle is situated on a red ridge rising approximately 100 feet above the floor of the Vale of , a broad river valley in northeast , near the town of in . This elevated terrain, characterized by steep scarps and underlying rocky outcrops, provided inherent defensive advantages by limiting access routes and offering commanding views over the surrounding landscape, including the medieval below and the marshy expanse known as Y Gwernfor at the valley head. The site's integrated with constructed defenses, including a at the base of a 15-foot scarp and walls up to 20 feet high along vulnerable fronts, which could reach nearly 30 meters in total height from the level. Walls averaging 2 to 2.7 meters in thickness further exploited the ridge's natural contours to form a formidable barrier, with the outer defensive zone relying on the terrain's isolation for added protection against assaults. Strategically, the castle's position overlooked a critical river crossing of the , facilitating control of north-south trade and military routes from the coastal plains into ' interior uplands, thereby serving as a bulwark in Edward I's 1277 campaign to subdue native Welsh principalities. This topographical dominance enabled effective monitoring and rapid response to threats, underscoring its role in maintaining English authority amid recurrent rebellions, as evidenced by its endurance during the 1282 uprising and later sieges.

Origins and Initial Construction

Pre-Conquest Site Utilization

The elevated ridge occupied by Ruthin Castle, rising approximately 50 meters above the Vale of , provided natural defensive features including steep slopes and oversight of river crossings, rendering it suitable for early human utilization in a region dotted with prehistoric sites. While direct archaeological evidence for occupation at this specific location prior to the medieval period is absent, the prevalence of hillforts in the surrounding —such as Penycloddiau, covering 19 acres and dating to the late through early —suggests the site's topography may have supported similar defensive or settlement activities around 600 BCE to 50 CE. No excavated artifacts or structural remains from this era have been documented at the Ruthin site itself, distinguishing it from confirmed regional hillforts where roundhouses and enclosures have been identified. During the Roman period (c. 43–410 CE), saw military installations, including a late 1st-century auxiliary fort near with associated civilian settlement, but these appear distinct from the ridge, with no overlapping reported. Post-Roman and early medieval , encompassing the sub-Roman and Anglo-Saxon eras up to 1066, featured fragmented kingdoms like , where strategic hills facilitated transient defensive posts amid internecine conflicts, yet no records or finds link the Ruthin site to such use. The absence of pre-Conquest documentary references underscores a likely pattern of sporadic, undocumented exploitation rather than sustained settlement, consistent with the sparse material record for many Welsh uplands before Norman incursions. This evidentiary gap persists due to limited systematic excavations focused on the castle's later layers, prioritizing medieval over prehistoric contexts; future geophysical surveys could clarify potential subsurface features like ditches or enclosures indicative of activity. In the interim, the site's pre-Conquest role appears marginal compared to its post-1066 militarization, reflecting broader patterns where Welsh topography influenced defenses without leaving verifiable traces until feudal consolidation.

Edward I's Campaign and 1277 Foundation

In 1277, Edward I of England launched a punitive expedition into Wales against Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Gwynedd, who had refused to perform homage and had encroached on disputed territories following the death of Simon de Montfort in 1265. Edward assembled an army of approximately 800 knights, 15,000 foot soldiers, and significant naval support at Chester, advancing methodically to isolate Llywelyn by constructing forward bases such as at Flint and Rhuddlan while foraging across the Dee Valley and seizing Anglesey to disrupt Welsh supplies. This campaign, emphasizing logistics and rapid fortification, compelled Llywelyn to negotiate the Treaty of Aberconwy on 9 November 1277, whereby he surrendered significant lands, including the Four Cantrefs, and recognized Edward's overlordship, though retaining core Gwynedd territories. To secure the conquered border regions, Edward I pursued a strategy of erecting an "" of castles along strategic Welsh valleys, with positioned to control the fertile Dyffryn Clwyd lordship, a key agricultural and communication corridor linking the Vale of to the English plain. of Castle began in 1277 as part of this royal initiative, contemporaneous with major works at Flint and , transforming a possibly preexisting wooden motte or site into a fortress adapted to the rocky ridge topography. The initial design featured a pentagonal upper bailey with walls built directly against quarried rock faces for enhanced defensibility, minimal earthworks due to the , and integration into a new Marcher lordship to enforce English administration. Edward granted the castle and lordship of Dyffryn to Dafydd ap Gruffudd, Llywelyn's brother, as recompense for Dafydd's defection and military aid against his sibling during the , thereby exploiting Welsh internal divisions to consolidate gains. Under Dafydd's custodianship, the castle served as a forward , though records indicate 's direct expenditure was limited primarily to ditching and basic enclosure works, with subsequent development likely overseen by the grantee. This foundation exemplified 's causal approach to territorial control: leveraging betrayal among native leaders and imposing permanent stone fortifications to deter resurgence, setting the stage for further campaigns when Dafydd himself rebelled in 1282.

Medieval Development and Conflicts

De Grey Family Lordship (1277–1400)

In 1282, following the execution of Dafydd ap Gruffudd for rebellion against Edward I, the king granted the cantref of Dyffryn Clwyd—including the nascent castle at Ruthin and surrounding commotes of Ruthin, Dogfeiling, Llannerch, and Colion—to Reginald de Grey as a Marcher lordship. Reginald, born around 1240 and previously Justiciar of Chester, continued construction initiated under Dafydd in 1277, transforming the site into a substantial stone fortress with an attached borough; he employed royal masons, possibly including Master James of St George, Edward I's chief architect, to erect defensive features such as six cylindrical towers and extensive curtain walls. He formally founded the borough of Ruthin, granting it a charter that established markets, fairs, and burgage plots to promote English settlement and economic control in the region, while the castle served as the administrative center for the lordship's courts and revenues. In 1295, Reginald was elevated to the 1st Baron Grey of Wilton, reflecting his growing influence, though the Ruthin holdings remained distinct. Reginald died in 1308, succeeded by his son John de Grey (born 1268), who held the lordship until 1323 and expanded its institutional framework by founding the College of St Peter in in 1310 as a for priests to pray for the family's souls, complete with endowments from lordship lands. John, who fought at the Battle of Caerlaverock in 1300 and in 1314, also served as Justice of around 1314–1315, using Castle as a base for suppressing Welsh unrest and administering royal justice in the Marches. Upon John's death, the direct line briefly shifted; his younger brother Roger de Grey (born c. 1298) inherited in 1324, when Edward II created the Barony of Grey of by of to , formalizing the title tied to the castle and lordship. Roger maintained the fortress through the turbulent 1330s, including Edward III's Scottish campaigns, but died in 1353 without major recorded structural additions. Roger's son, Reginald de Grey (born c. 1322), the 2nd Baron Grey of Ruthin, held the lordship from 1353 until his death in 1388, presiding over a period of relative stability amid the Black Death's demographic impacts on the Marches; the castle functioned primarily as a residence and judicial , with ongoing maintenance to its towers and walls ensuring defensive readiness against sporadic Welsh resistance. He was succeeded in 1388 by his son Reginald de Grey (born 1362), the 3rd Baron, whose early tenure until 1400 involved assertive governance, including enforcement of English customs and levies that heightened local tensions, though no significant military engagements or architectural expansions are documented in this span. The De Greys' lordship emphasized feudal extraction—yielding annual revenues estimated at hundreds of pounds from rents, mills, and courts—while the castle's strategic hilltop position overlooking the Vale of reinforced English dominance in . Throughout, the family intermarried with other Marcher nobility, consolidating power but also accruing debts that foreshadowed later financial strains.

Siege by Owain Glyndŵr (1400)

In September 1400, escalating tensions between , a Welsh lord of Glyndyfrdwy and Cynllaith Owain, and Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de , culminated in Glyndŵr's forces launching an assault on . The dispute originated from Grey's seizure of lands belonging to Glyndŵr and failure to inform him of a of array, which prevented Glyndŵr from fulfilling military obligations to King Henry IV and led to accusations of against him. On 16 September 1400, shortly after Glyndŵr's proclamation as by supporters at Glyndyfrdwy, he led approximately 250 men in a surprise raid on during preparations for the St. Matthew's Day fair. The attackers targeted the vulnerable town, which they looted and systematically burned, destroying much of the settlement including 's estates, but the stone-walled castle, defended by an English loyal to , withstood the assault without being captured. No prolonged occurred; the operation was a rapid strike exploiting the town's exposure outside the castle's direct protection. The failure to take the castle highlighted Ruthin's fortifications, established under Edward I's marcher lordship system to control northeastern , yet the destruction of the town demonstrated Glyndŵr's ability to mobilize local Welsh grievances into coordinated violence against English dominance. This event marked the ignition of the Glyndŵr Revolt, as the raid inspired rapid uprisings across , with subsequent attacks on nearby English holdings like and , challenging Henry IV's authority and drawing thousands into rebellion by late 1400.

Early Modern Ownership and Wars

Tudor-Era Transitions and Myddelton Acquisition

In 1508, , 5th Baron Grey de Ruthyn and 2nd , sold Ruthin Castle and its associated estate to amid the declining fortunes of the , which had been strained by prior financial burdens including ransoms from medieval conflicts. This transaction marked the end of over two centuries of de Grey lordship, transitioning the property from private marcher tenure to direct royal control under Henry VII and his successors. The sale reflected broader Tudor efforts to consolidate authority over Welsh borderlands, reducing the autonomy of noble estates that had historically operated semi-independently. During the Tudor period, the castle remained Crown property but was periodically granted to favored tenants for custodianship rather than permanent alienation, ensuring royal oversight amid administrative centralization. Henry VIII briefly assigned it to his illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, around 1525, though Fitzroy's early death in 1536 returned effective control to the Crown. Subsequent leases went to figures such as the Earls of Pembroke, but no significant structural modifications or military uses are recorded, with the site likely serving administrative functions tied to the lordship of Dyffryn Clwyd. By Elizabeth I's reign, maintenance had lapsed, as evidenced by surveys noting dilapidation, aligning with reduced strategic emphasis on border castles post-Welsh integration via the Acts of Union (1536–1543). The Myddelton acquisition occurred in 1632, when Sir Thomas Myddelton (1585–1666), a prominent landowner and owner of , purchased the estate from Charles I, who was facing fiscal pressures from court expenditures and impending conflicts. Myddelton, knighted for parliamentary service and known for mercantile ventures, also secured the stewardship of the lordship in 1635, integrating it into his familial holdings. A contemporary survey described the castle as in poor repair—"not worth quarrying for stone"—indicating neglect during Crown tenure, though Myddelton's purchase preserved the ruins as a rather than initiating immediate restoration. This shift to private ownership presaged the castle's role in the , where Myddelton's royalist sympathies led to its fortification and siege in 1646.

English Civil War Siege and Aftermath (1646–1648)

In early 1646, as Parliamentary forces sought to consolidate control over following Royalist setbacks, Major-General Thomas Mytton targeted , a dilapidated but hastily repaired since 1642. The siege commenced in March under the overall command of Sir William Brereton, with Mytton's troops encircling the fortress and subjecting its walls to sustained fire. On 8 May, local petitioners urged the unnamed governor to surrender to avert further bloodshed, but resistance persisted amid heavy bombardment that inflicted massive structural damage. The defenders held out for eleven weeks before capitulating, compelled by the castle's compromised defenses rather than total overrun. Surrender terms allowed the to march out with honors, though the fortress passed into Parliamentary hands, marking the effective end of its utility in the First Civil War. In 1648, amid broader efforts to neutralize potential strongholds post-war, enacted measures to slight captured fortifications, leading to Ruthin Castle's partial demolition. Workers tore down significant portions of the walls, repurposing stones for local construction and rendering the site indefensible against future belligerents. This deliberate degradation, ordered to prevent re-ing by hostile elements, initiated the castle's long decline into ruin.

Decline, Revival, and Architectural Overhaul

Post-Civil War Dismantlement and Abandonment

Following the surrender of Ruthin Castle to Parliamentary forces on 22 July 1646, after an eleven-week during which the walls endured bombardment, the structure remained intact but vulnerable to subsequent de-fortification measures. In 1648, enacted to neutralize former royalist strongholds and prevent their reuse by hostile elements, prompting the partial dismantlement—or ""—of Ruthin Castle's defenses. Workers tore down significant portions of the outer walls and other fortifications, with salvaged stone repurposed for local buildings in , accelerating the site's transition from military asset to quarry. This deliberate degradation, coupled with the Myddelton family's—owners since their 1632 acquisition—shift away from maintaining it as a fortified residence amid post-war financial strains and political uncertainties, led to the castle's effective abandonment as a habitable or defensible entity. By the late , the ruins had deteriorated further through neglect and opportunistic stone removal by lessees, such as , who extracted materials for nearby properties like Van Mansion, leaving only fragmented medieval remnants amid encroaching overgrowth.

19th-Century Gothic Reconstruction by Myddeltons

In 1826, Harriet Myddelton, who had inherited the Ruthin Castle estate following the 1796 division of the Myddelton family holdings, commissioned the construction of a straddling the upper and lower wards of the medieval . Built primarily from salvaged stone of the dilapidated fortress, the two-story castellated house incorporated surviving into a residential country , marking the onset of Gothic Revival reconstruction to restore habitability after centuries of neglect. The project, designed by an unidentified architect, extended over a bridge to the lower ward and integrated the site into a romantic garden landscape adorned with , grottoes, and tunnels partially excavated using castle waste. Upon Harriet Myddelton's death in 1848, the estate passed to her nephew Frederick Richard Myddelton-West, who between 1849 and 1852 engaged architect Henry Clutton to extensively rebuild and expand the mansion. Clutton's design replaced the main block with a three-story red structure featuring castellated battlements, an octagonal corner tower, and arched elements, while enhancing medieval remnants like the great with added arches and above-ground rooms to evoke a Gothic aesthetic. These modifications buried portions of earlier medieval fabric and 1820s garden features, prioritizing Victorian-era comfort and ornamentation over archaeological preservation. Further alterations included the development of an Italianate garden in the upper ward with underground irrigation systems fertilized by castle debris, alongside rockery enhancements to towers and curtain walls for a grotto-like effect. A northern wing was appended after , completing the mansion's evolution into a sprawling Gothic Revival that blended historical remnants with 19th-century residential opulence. The Myddelton-Wests' investments thus revived the site as a until the early , emphasizing aesthetic revival over strict historical fidelity.

20th-Century Transformations

Cornwallis-West Ownership and Scandals

The Cornwallis-West family, descending from the earlier Myddelton owners through marriage, acquired and resided at Ruthin Castle from 1826 until its sale in the early . William Cornwallis-West (1835–1917), a Liberal politician and landowner who served as MP for West from 1885 to 1892, inherited the property and maintained it as a seat of Victorian and Edwardian . His wife, Mary Caroline "Patsy" (née Fitzpatrick, 1854–1920), an Irish aristocrat, hosted lavish gatherings at the castle but became embroiled in personal scandals, most notably a long-term affair with Albert Edward, (later King Edward VII), which reportedly began when she was sixteen years old in the . Patsy's indiscretions contributed to family tensions and William's early retirement from public life; he died at Ruthin Castle on July 4, 1917, amid reports linking his withdrawal to her involvement in scandals, including rumored connections to figures though primarily tied to liaison. The couple's daughter, Mary Theresa Olivia "Daisy" Cornwallis-West (1873–1943), born at the castle on June 28, 1873, amplified the family's notoriety through her marriage to Hans Heinrich XV, Prince of Pless, in 1891, followed by a life marked by extramarital affairs, pro-German sympathies during that led to her ostracism in Britain, and chronic financial woes exacerbated by her husband's spending. Daisy's diaries, published posthumously, detailed these episodes, portraying Ruthin Castle as a backdrop to early family dynamics amid her parents' strained marriage. Financial mismanagement compounded the scandals, with son George Frederick Myddleton Cornwallis-West (1874–1951), a officer and author who briefly married American heiress Jennie Jerome (former wife of ) from 1900 to 1914, inheriting amid mounting debts. George's declaration in 1916, stemming from extravagant lifestyles and failed investments, triggered estate sales; auctions of , Llanarmon, and Newlands properties occurred between 1913 and 1919, with the and remaining holdings fully divested by 1920 to settle obligations. George, who suffered prolonged issues, died by in 1951, long after the family's loss of the . These events marked the end of private aristocratic tenure, driven by interpersonal dramas and fiscal imprudence rather than external forces.

Shift to Institutional and Commercial Use

In 1923, following the financial difficulties and scandals associated with the Cornwallis-West family, Ruthin Castle was sold and repurposed as a private medical clinic known initially as the Duff Sanatorium, later rebranded as Ruthin Castle Clinic, Ltd. This institution specialized in the scientific investigation and treatment of obscure internal diseases, positioning itself as Britain's first dedicated to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services for complex medical conditions. The clinic attracted international patients, including notable figures, and conducted research-oriented care, with facilities expanded by adding a new wing around 1920–1923 to accommodate medical operations. The clinic operated successfully for nearly four decades, admitting thousands of patients—over 4,796 between and alone—and gaining a reputation for excellence in treating conditions resistant to conventional , such as metabolic and endocrine disorders. Medical staff, including specialists like Dr. J.H. Anderson, contributed to publications on treatments for ailments including , emphasizing metabolic and etiological approaches. However, by the early , shifting healthcare and medical practices led to its closure in , after which the property was auctioned. In the early 1960s, Ruthin Castle underwent conversion into a commercial , marking its transition from institutional medical use to and . The transformation leveraged the site's historic architecture and grounds, incorporating the Victorian-era mansion and medieval remnants into guest accommodations, with operations commencing shortly after purchase at . This shift preserved the structure while adapting it for revenue-generating purposes, including lodging and events, a model that has persisted into the present day.

Architectural Characteristics

Medieval Core Elements

The medieval core of Ruthin Castle comprises a late 13th-century fortress constructed primarily between 1277 and the early 1280s on a red sandstone ridge overlooking the River Clwyd, as part of I's campaign to consolidate control over northeast . The site features a pentagonal upper bailey, measuring approximately 105 by 75 meters, defended by thick curtain walls and multiple towers, with a rectangular lower bailey separated by a deep dry . This layout, revetted against the natural rock faces, emphasized defensibility on elevated terrain, with walls rising up to 30 meters from the level and incorporating angled arrow slits for enfilading fire. Built from coursed blocks of local red and grey quarried on-site, the structure utilized the ridge's for stability, with battered bases to the walls enhancing resistance to engines. Curtain walls, 2 to 2.7 meters thick, enclosed the upper bailey in a roughly pentagonal plan, originally topped with battlements and supported by a surrounding ditch system that integrated the natural valley contours for additional protection. Six round or semicircular towers projected from the perimeter, positioned at key angles to cover approaches and provide flanking fire; these included D-shaped forms at corners, some reduced in height over time but retaining bases with winding staircases or vaulted chambers. Archaeological reveals internal features such as a central well, with tower, and administrative buildings within the upper ward, their foundations now buried beneath later landscaping. The primary entrance was a twin-towered on the eastern or northeastern side of the upper bailey, featuring D-shaped towers flanking a vaulted passage with possible grooves and cells in the , designed under Master James of St George. A secondary west in the lower bailey provided access to external areas like a deer park, with early 14th-century additions including mechanisms. Sally ports in the walls allowed for defensive sorties, underscoring the castle's role as a forward bastion in the lordship of Dyffryn , granted initially to Dafydd ap Gruffydd in 1277 before passing to English custodians like Reginald de Grey. Surviving fragments, designated as a , preserve these elements amid later overbuilding, with sandstone chequer patterns and chutes indicating original multi-story accommodations in towers.

Victorian and Later Modifications

In 1826, the Myddelton family acquired the dilapidated ruins of Ruthin Castle and initiated a Gothic Revival reconstruction, constructing a mansion within the medieval upper ward to serve as a country house. This work, undertaken primarily for Harriet Myddelton, incorporated surviving castle elements into the design while creating a romantic garden landscape adorned with , grottoes, and features that evoked a sense of medieval grandeur. The 's initial phase featured castellated elements blending with the ruins, marking a shift from to residential opulence. By 1848, Frederick Richard West, who had married into the Myddelton lineage, commissioned architect Henry Clutton to overhaul the main block, partially demolishing it and replacing it with a three-storey castellated structure of red sandstone, highlighted by an octagonal corner tower. In the 1850s, further expansions under Frederick Myddelton-West (later adopting the Cornwallis-West surname) buried portions of the original ruins and gardens beneath new Victorian extensions, including the development of an equipped with a complex underground irrigation system utilizing castle waste as fertilizer. These additions obscured medieval outlines, with embellishments such as added battlements, pointed arches, gothic arcades along the west curtain wall, and rockery effects on towers like the Chequer Tower employing uncut blocks for a rugged aesthetic. Later modifications in the were largely adaptive rather than transformative, as the mansion converted first to a during wartime and then to a in the mid-century, involving internal refittings for guest accommodations without major external alterations to the Victorian fabric. Into the , efforts emphasized preservation over modification, including the restoration of the Great Gatehouse by the Ruthin Castle Conservation Trust, which repaired medieval masonry while respecting overlaid Gothic features. These interventions stabilized crumbling elements like walls and tunnels, preventing collapse while maintaining the site's hybrid medieval-Victorian character.

Contemporary Role and Preservation

Hotel Conversion and Operations

In the early 1960s, Ruthin Castle was acquired at auction and underwent conversion from prior institutional use into a luxury hotel, marking its transition to commercial hospitality operations. The transformation capitalized on the site's historic Gothic mansion structure, originally rebuilt in the by the Myddelton family, to provide accommodations blending medieval heritage with modern amenities. Ownership has changed hands multiple times since the conversion, influencing operational expansions and challenges. In 2014, the property was purchased by a involving Kepler Capital, Cheshire-based Prima Hotel Group, and existing management, securing approximately 100 jobs amid financial difficulties. By 2019, it was sold for nearly £5 million to a new entity backed by a Yorkshire-based entrepreneur, handled through Colliers International, with the featuring 60 rooms at the time. Current ownership rests with Holdings, under which the continues as Ruthin Castle & . The hotel operates as a retreat in ' Vale of Clwyd, set amid acres of parkland and woodland, offering 60 guest rooms, spa facilities including The Moat Spa (opened in 2012 with multiple hot tubs and treatment areas), dining options, and event hosting for weddings and conferences. Notable guests have included King Charles III, underscoring its appeal to high-profile visitors seeking historic immersion. Operations have faced scrutiny, including a 2023 fine of £40,000 imposed on the owning company for food hygiene violations following inspections that revealed failures in storage, cleaning, and at the premises. Despite such incidents, the maintains a focus on tied to its 13th-century origins, with ongoing preservation efforts for the structure amid its commercial role.

Tourism, Events, and Recent Developments

Ruthin Castle functions as a key asset in , , drawing visitors to its 13th-century site now repurposed as a four-star and amid 3 acres of parkland. Guests access historical elements like the banqueting hall and grounds while enjoying modern facilities including the BAZAAR Spa and dining options, with packages such as history and heritage breaks that incorporate guided tours of the castle and nearby medieval town features. The venue hosts diverse events, notably weddings for up to 100 guests or 120 at receptions, with in-house catering ranging from £37 to £145 per head and customizable packages starting at £3,500. Conferences utilize meeting suites and private dining areas, accommodating small to large groups on the estate. Recurring attractions include medieval banquets with four-course feasts, live , and contests, alongside ghost hunts exploiting the site's reputation. Recent initiatives encompass garden restoration efforts amid 2023's dry conditions, as detailed in a update emphasizing maintenance of the grounds. Promotional activities feature fayres, such as the , 2026, event with vendor showcases and complimentary fizz. The castle integrates with regional tourism by serving as a base for exploring attractions like Nantclwyd y Dre gardens and the town's gaol, alongside hikes and coastal sites.

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  31. https://archives.library.wales/index.php/ruthin-lordship-records-2
  32. https://www.ruthinhistoryhanesrhuthun.org/broadsheet-57
  33. https://www.ruthinhistoryhanesrhuthun.org/broadsheet-no-25
  34. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/1632-history/
  35. https://www.mythslegendsodditiesnorth-east-wales.co.uk/ruthin-castle
  36. https://archives.library.wales/index.php/myddelton-family-of-gwaenynog-denbigh-chirk-and-ruthin-denbighshire-london-and-essex
  37. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/1826-history/
  38. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/1508-history/
  39. https://www.tatler.com/article/patsy-cornwallis-west-mistress-edward-vii
  40. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/features/snapshotsofthepast/4994885.milford-on-sea-base-for-edward-viis-lover-patsy-cornwallis-west/
  41. https://www.nytimes.com/1917/07/05/archives/col-cornw-alliswest-dies-in-ruthin-castle-aged-land-owner-retired.html
  42. https://www.ancient-origins.net/unexplained-phenomena/strange-story-daisy-pless-and-her-long-sought-after-necklace-005232
  43. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/1901-history/
  44. https://www.milfordhistory.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Jolly-2016-a.pdf
  45. https://denbighshirearchives.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/ruthin-castle-duff-house-1923-1962/
  46. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2385532/
  47. https://www.ruthinhistoryhanesrhuthun.org/broadsheet-69
  48. https://academic.oup.com/pmj/issue-pdf/11/121/50369282
  49. https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/25344109.pdf
  50. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/the-great-gatehouse-restoration/
  51. https://www.gov.wales/brighter-future-ruthin-castle
  52. https://philsprosonphotography.com/blogs/news/all-about-ruthin-castle-its-history-and-modern-transformation-into-a-hotel
  53. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-39290099
  54. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-north-east-wales-28113424
  55. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/641217-new-owners-plan-investment-for-ruthin-castle
  56. https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/17923065.ruthin-castle-sold-almost-5m/
  57. https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/new-owner-for-historic-castle-hotel-and-spa
  58. https://www.boutiquehotelier.com/welsh-hotel-that-has-hosted-king-charles-fined-40000-for-food-hygiene-failures/
  59. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/
  60. https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/North-Wales-Ruthin-Castle-confirms-opening-date-for-The-Moat-spa/301988
  61. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/history-heritage-break/
  62. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/wedding/
  63. https://bridebook.com/uk/wedding-venues/ruthin-castle-hotel-and-spa-ruthin-denbighshire-ee5gPxRAgz
  64. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/conference/
  65. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/medieval-evening-3/
  66. https://www.mosthauntedexperience.com/ruthin-castle-hotel
  67. https://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/summer-gardens-update/
  68. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ruthin-castle-wedding-fayre-tickets-1618172229699
  69. https://www.gonorthwales.co.uk/itinerary-planner?epaction=loadcms&suggesteditin=34
  70. https://www.itison.com/Glasgow/deals/ruthin-castle-stay-2
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