Photograph by Dave Newbould
Denbigh Castle, crowning a steep hill above the town, enjoys commanding views of the pastoral Vale of Clwyd. The castle, built as part of Edward I's 13th-century campaigns against the Welsh, was put up by Henry de Lacy one of the king's chief commanders. Along with the castle de Lacy established a new English borough at Denbigh protected by town walls. Following a Welsh rising in 1294, the castle's construction proceeded on an even grander scale, culminating in the mighty triple towered Great Gatehouse, its finest feature. Surprisingly extensive fortifications can be seen at this impressive site, including a circuit of town walls almost two thirds of a mile long. Along with Rhuddlan Castle and Valle Crucis Abbey Denbigh castle features on the Denbighshire Medieval Trail.
A key to the walls can be obtained from the castle custodian or town library when the castle is closed.
