Places to visit

Rhuddlan Castle - Castell Rhuddlan

This mid thirteenth century Norman castle, next to the River Clwyd, has inner wards with twin tower gatehouses in defensive walls. The outer ward is behind a curtain wall with turrets and towers. The site is where Edward I in 1284 issued a document setting up the government of Wales under his rule. The last military action seen here was when Parliamentary forces took the castle in the English Civil War. The site is south of Rhyl on the A525/A547.

Prestatyn Castle - Castell Prestatyn

This site has the remains of a motte and bailey castle, built on low ground, with a surrounding ditch which was built around the middle of the twelfth century. It was subsequently destroyed by Owain Gwynedd. It is located at Prestatyn on the A548 east of Rhyl.

Flint Castle - Castell y Fflint

This castle is of French medieval design, square with a detached thick walled keep and construction was started in 1277. This type of castle is not seen in other parts of the British Isles. The site had been besieged by the Welsh but it's last military action was in the English Civil War when Parliamentary forces took it after which it fell into disuse. It is sited at Flint on the A548 southeast of Prestatyn.

Ewloe Castle - Castell Ewlo

Southeast of Flint close to Hawarden on the A55 this is a Welsh D-shaped castle captured by the English in 1277. It's border position gave it a strategic importance and it now stands in Wepre Park/Parc Gwepre.

Hawarden Old Castle - Castell Penarlag

Remains of a Norman earthwork motte can be seen, but there is a later stone castle of about 1280 on the site. The castle was rendered unusable after the Civil War. The circular keep and remains of a rectangular tower are visible. It is located southeast of Ewloe in a park in the southeast of Hawardan town centre on the B5125.

Mold Castle - Castell Yr Wyddgrug

This site has the remains of a mid-twelfth century Norman motte and bailey castle and is located Mold town on the A541 south of Flint. It fell into Welsh hands on a number of occasions.

Moel y Gaer, Rhosesmor

This Iron Age hillfort is on Halkyn Mountain east of the hillforts on the Clwydian Range. Past excavations revealed different periods of roundhouse and some rectangular construction. The remains of ramparts and ditches can be seen. The site is located of the A541 northwest from Mold and then along the B5123 where a track can be taken to the Fort which overlooks the village of Rhosesmor.

Denbigh Castle - Castell Dinbych

This is a Norman castle constructed in the late thirteenth century on the site of an older Welsh castle. Although the remains of that castle do not remain the Welsh did take the castle for a short period in 1294. The remains of the gatehouse and sections of the town wall can be seen. Denbigh is south of Rhyl on the A525 to the northwest of Mold.

Pen y Cloddiau - Moel y Cloddiau - Penycloddiau

This Iron Age hillfort is one of the biggest in Wales and is located on a hill top in the Clwydian Range. It is defended by a bank and outer ditch. The hut circles within are hidden within scrub. The site can be located south of Denbigh towards Ruthin on the A525 and then on minor roads towards Llandyrnog. Offa's Dyke path runs through the site.

Moel Arthur

South of Pen y Cloddiau, this Iron Age hillfort surrounds the summit of Moel Arthur at Nannerch. The ramparts, banks and ditches are clearly visible. The steep hill to the site is accessed via the A525 from Denbigh to Ruthin and then the minor roads towards Llangwyfan and Llandyrnog.

Pages

Subscribe to Places to visit