Often overlooked but rarely forgotten, Rhuthun (or Ruthin in the Anglicised version) is a historic market town that successfully celebrates old and new. With nearly eight hundred years of recorded history, the town commands a stunning location in the verdant Vale of Clwyd. Its strategic position on the River Clwyd, between the Hiraethog Moors and the Clwydian Hills has led to many bloody battles between the English and the Welsh who fought for centuries for control of this important agricultural area.

Burnt to the ground in 1400 by Welshman Owain Glyndwr, Ruthin has since enjoyed a peaceful existence, and its streetscape and collection of Tudor, Georgian, Victorian and contemporary buildings erected over the last 500 years testify to the pride and prosperity of the local people. The oldest townhouse, Nantclwyd y Dre (1435) has recently had an award winning restoration, and now welcomes those seeking to glimpse seven ages of the houses history and its famous residents.

Fortunately wealth has brought quality, in both architecture and services, and today the town boasts cafes, restaurants and boutique B&B’s as well as a collection of excellent independent ‘niche' shops that elsewhere would have been obliterated by ‘High Street Britain’. A mecca for those in search of some pampering and pruning, its therapists and award-winning hairdressers draw people from across the land.

For those more interested in Wellies than designer goods Ruthin remains the principal market town in the region and stages one of the largest weekly cattle and sheep auctions in Wales. Law and order has also been a historical preoccupation for the town as it hosted the old court of Assizes and has had 3 different courthouses and Gaols. Now these buildings accommodate more well-behaved residents; the Half timbered Tudor court housing a Bank, the Georgian Court now a busy Town Library, and the Victorian Prison safekeeping the County Archives. Curious law-abiding visitors can even see what it was like to be a Victorian prisoner in the Gruelling Experience at Ruthin Gaol.

With weekly WI and bric-a-brac markets, monthly Produce Markets to annual events such as the Graig Aid Charity Music Festival, Open Heritage Weekend, Flower Show and Gwyl Rhuthun Music Festival, there’s always something on. Socially and culturaly Ruthin is vibrant, and its mixed Welsh and English speaking community enjoy diverse activities in over 80 social, sport and music groups and clubs.

The beauty of the area has always attracted artists and their muses, and they exhibit in various galleries and venues throughout the year. But the star attraction is the new Ruthin Craft Centre that brings the World’s best contemporary applied art to the UK through exciting and provocative exhibitions It has had a £4.4 million transformation bringing 3 galleries, a craft showcase, artist workshops and café together in a dramatic new zinc and cast stone building which is already attracting international recognition as a worthy 21st Century addition to the architecture of Ruthin.

Just 30 minutes from Chester, 45 from Liverpool and 1 hour from Manchester; Ruthin is easily accessed and makes a great base for visits to Snowdonia, the North Wales Coast and Cheshire, whilst offering a genuine welcome in a real town for the more independent traveller.