Ruthin, and more specifically Ruthin Castle has been a favourite place for the Fester's for many years.
Ruthin Castle, as most are are aware, is now mostly a hotel, which throws a fantastic medieval banquet on a regular basis.
The hotel was built in Victorian times onto the higher, and rear elevations of the ruined castle.
Much of the hotel is sitting on the footprint of what would have been the Upper Ward and Grand Hall of the castle.
The hotel is a superb building in its own right, but some parts are fading somewhat since its heyday of Victorian grandeur.
However, a period of refurbishment has reached most of the rooms, and the Restaurant is exceptionally good.
Now, what has always puzzled me, is how many guidebooks ignore the medieval castle itself.
Some guides say, 'few traces remain of the original castle'
Well, I have always been amazed by that, as I think that a fantastic amount of the medieval castle remains.
All one needs to do is to clamber around at the less attractive rear of the hotel.
The photos below show firstly, a view of the Victorian hotel, then the 2nd picture is of the internal castle walls, (the lower keep)
The 3rd picture shows quite clearly the remaining main Castle Gatehouse and steps, almost intact.
The 4th picture shows the extent along the front elevation, as to how well the medieval ramparts have survived.
I find Castell Rhuthun to be a fascinating place.