RUTHIN CASTLE HOTEL
Royal Splendor and Ghosts in North Wales
Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire North Wales has a long history and a connection
to many curious legends as well as its present incarnation as a hotel.
After a long drive approach from the town below, through the stone arched
gate and past heavy defensive walls of a time past you are greeted at
the doors of Ruthin Castle Hotel by proud monumental lions of pink marble,
resting on guard beside the red carpet. Inside the wood paneled entrance
hall with carved stone work and wood fireplaces in the open hearths,
and elegant oil painting lining the hallways sense the grandeur of a
hotel which has played host to royalty.
The
name of Ruthin Castle comes from the Welsh meaning “red fort” from
the red colored stone that made up the 13th Century Castle built by
Edward I in 1277, before his greater coastal “Iron Ring” fortresses
of nearby Conwy and Harlech (see Harlech
Castle). The medieval castle
replaced an earlier defensive fort connected to the legends of King
Arthur who reputedly beheaded a rival who mocked him over his dancing
- so much for the Round Table! A limestone block where the beheading
took place according to local lore is to be found in the center of
the village below. The castle at Ruthin was granted to Reginald de
Grey – supposedly the “Sheriff of Nottingham” who
had defeated the “rebels” of Robin Hood. A later Lord Grey
de Ruthyn is connected to Lord Byron (see Byron's
Newstead Abbey).
The de Greys had a 5,000 man army which controlled the lands of the
northern “March” as
far east as Chester. The castle with its 7 round towers, 9 foot thick
walls, some 100 feet high withstood
the revolt of Owain Glyndwr, who burned the town, but couldn’t
capture the castle. The de Grey’s
sold the castle when hard economic times hit in 1508 and in the English
Civil War of 1646, the castle was taken and largely demolished, with
its stone used to build the town. Ruthin has been listed as one of
the 5 most haunted castles in the UK. The ghost of Lady Grey, who murdered
one of her husband's peasant mistresses is said to haunt the battlements
of the old ruins while a knight with only one gauntlet, who's identity
is unknown, wanders around as well.
Ruthin Castle
as it now exists was built in 1826 and expanded in 1849 as a castellated
two story Victorian era manor house on the base of the
former medieval fortress, a private residence of the Myddleton family.
Frequent visitors included King Edward VII, Prince Albert or “Bertie” while
he was Prince of Wales, who left his favorite snooker table to the castle,
as well as actress Lillie Langtry, and Winston Churchill’s mother,
Lady Randolph Churchill – when she was previously married to George
Cornwallis-West when he was owner of Ruthin Castle. The castle was transformed
into a luxury hotel in 1962, hosting Prince Charles on his way to Caernarfon
for his investiture as the current Prince of Wales. Ruthin Castle was
acquired by the Saint Claire family in 2004, and has been undergoing
a long term renovation.
Castle Hotel
The hotel
at Castle Ruthin has 62 bedrooms many of which have been refurbished
to designer
deluxe doubles and twins rated as AA 3 star accommodations.
Royal salon suites impress as lodging fit for the peerage, the “Prince
of Wales” honeymoon suite and and the “Jennie” named
for Sir Winston Churchill’s mom. Many of the rooms have four poster
beds and fireplaces (though without fires) and original antique furnishings.
Rooms at the hotel which have not yet been refurbished are available
at significantly lower prices if you don’t mind a little wear and
most rooms whether refurbished or not, offer views over the 30 acres
of estate gardens and woods, with the mountains of Snowdonia beyond.
The hotel restaurant's Bertie Dining Room, named for Prince of Wales
has won awards.
Medieval Banquet
Ruthin Castle
was the first to hold a themed Medieval banquet and offers them regularly
every day except Sundays in the Medieval Banquet Hall
next to the Italian Garden. Guests can rent medieval costumes and for
a few extra pounds by prior arrangement get a tour of the underground
dungeon, whipping pit and drowning pit which still exist on the grounds.
The hotel offers themed, romantic, golf and spa pampered break packages.
Ruthin Castle holds regular medieval banquets in the. Several salons
and rooms are available for weddings and receptions with an onsite wedding
coordinator, including a Medieval themed costume wedding. You can even
invite one of the ghosts to be a guest, but forgive Sir "whatisname" if
he shows up with only one glove. © Bargain
Travel Europe
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Ruthin
Castle Hotel
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SEE ALSO:
BODELWYDDAN CASTLE HOTEL DENBIGHSHIRE
PORTMEIRION
"Prisoner" VILLAGE AND GARDEN
PENTRE-MAWR
FARMHOUSE B&B
ST DEINIOL'S RESIDENTIAL LIBRARY
