Explore Surrounding Ruthin
If you are visiting Ruthin, why not explore some of these villages nearby for activities and attractions, history, landscapes and a friendly welcome.
Clocaenog
On the fringe of the tree-covered hills of Clocaenog Forest, the church here displays fine wood-carving, stained glass, and other treasures.
Cyffylliog
A remote and attractive community in a ‘hidden’ beauty spot in the wooded Clywedog Valley. The name of the village means “place of pollard trees/stumps” and comes from the Welsh word cyffyll meaning stumps.
Llanarmon yn Ial
The ‘capital’ of the district of Iâl or Yale (‘the hill country’) Llanarmon takes its name from St. Garmon or Germanus, a 5th century warrior-bishop once active hereabouts. Its big ‘double-naved’ church is among Denbighshire’s most intriguing, displaying many treasures including the fine Stuart monument of Captain Efan Llwyd. Nearby (but on private land) is the medieval castle of Tomen-Y-Faerdref.
Llanbedr
Climbing a steep rise up to the Clwydian Range, Llanbedr has a charming Victorian church with a striped roof, walls and spirelet.
Llanfair DC
This wayside village has a fine big double-naved church, with interesting monuments and a ‘mosaic’ mediaeval glass window, allegedly saved from Civil War destruction by burial in the great chest now below it. The churchyard gate bears the motto ‘Heb Dduw, Heb Ddim’ – ‘without God, without anything’.
Llanferres
A small community by the road across the Clwydian Range, clustered around the pub and the church with its charming ‘lantern’ bellcote and wrought-iron gates, made by the Davies Brothers (master craftsmen of Bersham – who also made the famous gates to Chirk Castle) in the early eighteenth century. There are lovely walks in nearby Big Covert and Bryn Alyn.
Llangynhafal
A scattered hillside community memorably set against the backdrop of Moel Famau. St. Cynhafal’s is among Denbighshire’s most atmospheric churches, ‘double-naved’ with a pair of fine ‘angel roofs’. It abounds in curious and delightful furnishings, including a carved and gilded 17th century pelican. The parish also contains newly restored timber-framed Ty Coch barn, and St. Cynhafal’s holywell (on private land).
Llanynys
In a quiet hamlet amid river meadows, St. Saeran’s at Llanynys was once the ‘mother church’ of the whole surrounding region. The big double-naved church contains numerous treasures including an ancient sculpted cross-head; Elizabethan panels charmingly carved with fantastic beasts; and especially a huge mediaeval wall-painting of St. Christopher.
