Denbigh Castle — Attraction in Denbigh

Visited in August 2019 during my holiday in Wales. I was the only visitor that time and later others arrived, so I had time and space to look around. It is on the top of a hill, and even get there or back by car seemed quite difficult in those tiny one-way streets only, and the GPS of course led me in other ways. The castle is rather ruins today, but yet visible how big it was in its golden age. I haven't found much information about the life in the castle, so rather just walked around and enjoyed the view. Have to be careful at some point, surfaces are uneven, and the stairs are old stone-carved, better to avoid them in slippers and sandals. When I finished taking pics and look around, I asked for the town walls key. We have to leave a £5 deposit for exchange and we receive the old and huge iron key. We receive the deposit back later, it is just a secure payment for the key. I got instructions to find the gate, but to be honest I've been lost. I just walked up and down the empty and narrow streets without seeing any gate or even a person to ask. After roaming a half an hour, finally I met a local lady and she was kind to show me the gate - which was exactly next to me... Better to seek carefully, because every detail counts:) I took picture of the gate and street-view of it, so hopefully it can help others to find it easier than I did. Enter the walls was easy, we have to lock the gate back behind us. It is not for baby buggies or wheelchair users at all, as it is really stone-carved with lots of stairs up and down. At the end I ended up at a road on the hill, which was not too clear where to go on, so after I had 2 wrong ways (If somewhere is possible to be lost, I usually used to be:) , then I found the right one on a staircase within trees. It's really recommended to be in good condition to have all these walks... It was a very peaceful and quiet place and the village is lovely, too, except the uphill and downhill, which is not my favourite:) Anyway, it is not a must to see, but if someone is in the area, and wants to spend 2 hours in the fresh air in a historical place, so visit this castle is definitely a good idea. There is toilet on site, and a free car park (about for 10-15 cars, which is enough), and we can have some hot drink at the reception, which is a gift shop, too. It does not have a separate cafe or tea-room, because the site is not that busy, but they can accommodate a few visitors...

Firstly the town of Denbigh is lovely with very steep narrow roads to get to the castle but beautiful houses on the trip up. The sat nav takes you to the bottom of the castle with a few parking spaces but more at the left side near a high wall. There is also a car park relatively near the castle for easier access. A lovely walk past a ruined church with info boards and then through the impressive entrance with sounds to greet you as you arrive. Super historic place with info boards depicting its story. You can climb stairs to move through the ruins and have brilliant views over the town and surrounding countryside. A lovely picnic area sitting on the walls or outside the shop. A child's paradise roaming through ruined corridors up and down stairs ( complete with wooden swords purchased from the shop) I found it a lovely place for quiet reflection sitting on a wall viewing the wild flowers. Super shop with lovely unusual gifts also coffee etc machine with biscuits, snacks and amazing selection of ice creams. Seating and history displays with hands on activities in the shop. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable.....Can while away a good few hours visiting and chatting. My quest was...."is it haunted?" ask about this but stand quietly in the main entrance...

We went to see The Duke's Men theatre company performing As You Like it here.

Firstly, this theatre company always show up and put on an excellent performance with impressive sets and original production of some of Shakespeares most loved plays! We always enjoy watching them.

The setting was perfect, the castle ruins added to the ambiance and setting and the area was clean, tidy and had all the facilities we needed for the evening, including parking close to the entrance.

I will recommend that either staff of the castle or theatre company might need to "man" the entrance of the audience a bit more, the more popular these events become. We always arrive early to get a good seat and we're directed toward the "front" on this occasion... but some people with higher chairs than ours came and sat in front of us later on. Unfortunatley they were quite rude when we told them we thought we were the front row and a man with them even grabbed and moved my hand bag. This is just something for the organisers to be aware of for future reference- it did not ruin our enjoyment of the show and the castle!

Definitely want to visit the castle during opening hours and will consider this venue for our Duke's Men visit...