Events

Tom Pryce Exhibition (23 July – 5 November 2018)

An exhibition on the life and career of Tom Pryce, the Formula 1 driver from the Vale of Clwyd. Pryce, the only Welshman to win a Formula 1 and tipped to be a future World Champion, was tragically killed at the South Africa GP at Kyalami in 1977

Denbigh Museum, Grove Road, Denbigh, LL16 3UU

Admission: FREE

Open: Monday and Thursday afternoons (2-4pm) and by request. Please note that the exhibition has been extended to the 5th November.

Contact: gwyneth.kensler@denbighshire.gov.uk 07792 315 723

St Asaph Rotary Country Fayre (19 August 2018)

A GREAT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY

This year the Club is planning lots of new and exciting activities to suit all of the family.

Nearly all the activities are FREE for you to enjoy. The Batala band, working horses, dog shows, tug of war, birds of prey and children’s entertainment are just some of the many  activities going on in and around the events arena.

In addition over 70 interesting and fascinating stalls are anticipated.

IT'S NOT TO BE MISSED

For further details see: http://www.stasaphfayre.co.uk/

The Denbigh Show 2018 (25 August 2018)

The Denbigh Show is an outdoor traditional family event held in the beautiful historic market town of Denbigh within the picturesque Vale of Clwyd.

Once again the 2018 Show will be filled with an interesting and varied range of activities and displays to suit all age group.

Denbigh Beer Festival (22 September 2018)

Denbigh Beer Festival hosted by Denbigh and District Round Table

This years Beer Festival is held at Denbigh Town Hall. There will be around 35 beers and numerous ciders available and sourced from micro-breweries in the North Wales and Chester area,a few pints of the world famous Wrexham lager and numerous Welsh ciders.

Venue: Town Hall, Crown Lane, Denbigh, LL16 3TB

Time: 12:30pm - 10:30pm

Entry: £5

For further details see: https://www.denbighbeerfestival.org/

Denbigh Open Doors 2018 (28 – 30 September 2018)

A wonderful range of interesting, unusual and beautiful historic homes and buildings will be open to the public for tours and talk this September. This fascinating weekend is part of a European wide programme and brought to you by Denbigh Open Doors Group with the support of Cadw, Denbigh Town Council and Grŵp Cynefin

In addition to these buildings/sites a number of events, exhibitions and tours will be available

Once again, to get you in the mood, the weekend will kick off with a heritage related lecture at Theatr Twm o'r Nant on the Friday evening.

Details of all these will be published on this website and in a separate booklet in August.

Remember to keep checking this website!

Open Doors - Heritage Lecture (28 September 2018)

Open Doors - St Mary's Church (29 – 30 September 2018)

Henllan Place, Grade II* Listed Building

LL16 3TN

St Mary’s was built in 1874 to replace the medieval church of St Hilary within the old town walls. Designed by local architects Lloyd Williams and Underwood the church contains an excellent but controversial reredos (the carving on the east wall behind the altar), condemned at the time as “an inducement to Popery and a betrayal of the principles of the Reformation”. Other features include the Flemish dossal (back panel) of 1530 in finely woven tapestry and the very fine Arts & Crafts stained glass windows lighting the nave

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm; Sunday service 11am | Accessible

Open Doors - St Joseph's Catholic Church (29 September 2018)

St Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bryn Stanley, LL16 3NT

St Joseph's Catholic Church which opened in 1968. The Parish Priest at the time was Fr J Wedlake.
'The Baptism of Christ' stained glass window in the baptistery is by artist Jonah Jones and was installed around 1970. The stained glass windows around the main church were by Peter Morton in 1968. The windows were sponsored by local Catholic families.

Saturday only; 12 noon-4pm | Accessible

Open Doors - St Marcella’s Church (29 – 30 September 2018)

St Marcella’s Church Grade I Listed Building | Whitchurch Road, LL16 4ER

Built on the site of the 7th century cell of St Marcella, the church is a classic example of the ‘Vale of Clwyd’ twin-naved style and is largely the result of a late perpendicular remodelling of around 1500. Exceptionally fine and well preserved, it is one of the most important churches in North Wales and contains some notable monuments. Buried inside are the map-maker Humphrey Llwyd, members of the powerful Salusbury family and the heart of Richard Clough, the Denbigh-born merchant. Outside is the grave of Twm o’r Nant, poet of Denbigh.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm - Sunday service 10.30am. | Accessible

Open Doors - Denbigh Museum (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Museum, Grove Road, LL16 3UU

The building started life as Fron Goch County Primary School in 1877, and was built in local dressed limestone. The building was converted into a Magistrates’ Court and offices in 1987, but was closed in 2013. The building still retains one of the magistrates’ courts and cells. The building has now been acquired to create a new Denbigh museum for the town. 

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm | Accessible from Grove Road

Open Doors - The Carriageworks (29 – 30 September 2018)

The Carriageworks, Unit 1-2, 6 Love Lane, LL16 3LU

This three storey industrial building was the premises of Williams Brothers, coach builders. They made all types of horse drawn carts, carriages, broughams and traps. Each floor specialised in the fabricating the various components. The top floor housed the upholstery workshop, the first floor, wooden chassis and accessories whilst heavy ironwork was made in the ground floor forge. Each floor was connected by hinged trap doors large enough to pass the assemblies down using chain hoists.

At the turn of the19th century, when motorcars arrived, Williams Brothers turned to fitting coachwork to chassis manufactured by engineers. The strong industrial character of the building and many of the features and artefacts are retained in the recent restoration.

After a variety of uses, it is now an arts and crafts centre with all three floors occupied and run for the benefit of the local community.

Saturday and Sunday 10am–4pm | Accessible with stairs to upper floors.

Open Doors - Cae Dai 50s Museum (29 September 2018)

Lawnt, Denbigh, LL16 3SU

A 1950’s museum, containing exhibits from the late 40’s & early 50’s.  It includes a mock-up of a lounge & a repair garage.  It also has 50’s era cars, including a pink Cadillac & the great train robbery lorry

SATURDAY ONLY 11am–4pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Theatr Twm o'r Nant (29 – 30 September 2018)

Theatr Twm o’r Nant Grade II Listed Building | Station Road, LL16 3DA

The Grade II listed building was built and donated to the town in 1890 by Dr Evan Pierce as a Memorial Hall in memory of his mother. By the 1970s it had fallen into disrepair but was restored and renamed Theatr Twm o’r Nant after the 18th century Welsh playwright Thomas Edwards, who is known as the Cambrian Shakespeare.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Wireless in Wales Museum (29 – 30 September 2018)

Canolfan Iaith Clwyd, Lenten Pool, Denbigh, LL16 3LF

Wireless in Wales Radio Museum situated on the ground floor of Canolfan Iaith Clwyd/ Popeth Cymraeg was established in 2008. Its purpose is to create an awareness of the importance of radio and broadcasting to the preservation of the Welsh language and identity. The museum is proud of its collection of antique radios, valves, literature and ephemera which cover the period of 1920 to 1960.

10.00am- 4.00pm

Access: accessible

Open Doors - Beatrix Potter Garden, Gwaenynog Hall (29 – 30 September 2018)

Beatrix Potter Garden, Gwaenynog Hall, Pentrefoelas Road, LL16 5NU

Beatrix Potter, the creator of Peter Rabbit regularly visited Gwaenynog Hall during the 1890s, the home of her uncle. Open Doors offers you a chance to see the garden and the potting shed that inspired her to write and illustrate the children's classic "The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies".

Saturday and Sunday 12 noon–4pm | Accessible | Access located 1.2 miles from the Library along the A543

Open Doors - Dr Evan Pierce Memorial Garden (29 – 30 September 2018)

Dr Evan Pierce Memorial Garden Grade II* Listed Building, Grade II Registered Historic Garden | Vale Street, LL16 3BW

Dr Evan Pierce himself built the 50ft column topped by his statue to mark his philanthropy as Coroner, JP, Alderman and five times Mayor of Denbigh. It also commemorates his work as a medical doctor during the cholera epidemic of 1838. Dr Pierce lived in Salisbury Place opposite and would have been able to look at his image from his window.

This is a small Victorian public garden with a formal layout containing two fountains at the entrance that commemorate Victoria’s Jubilee.

Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Denbigh Library (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Library – Information point – a good place to start

Grade II* Listed Building | Hall Square (High Street), LL16 3NU

The Library was formerly the County Hall. It was erected in 1572 as a Shire Hall under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, as part of his ambitious plans to become the most powerful man in the country with Denbigh as the seat of his realm. The building is an excellent example of early civic architecture in Wales. The original structure had a council and justice chamber above a colonnaded covered market. It was remodelled in 1780 and again more recently when it was converted to the town’s library.

Saturday and Sunday 9.30am-3.30pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Bryn-y-Parc (29 – 30 September 2018)

Bryn Y Parc, Grade II* Listed Building | Park Street, LL16 3DB

Bryn Y Parc is an important early town house dating from the mid16th century. The building is a complex arrangement of different builds, some timber framed and some stone built set around a central courtyard. The timbers date from 1540 in the earliest section and up to 1580 in the later additions. The building suffered a severe fire in 2002 but has now been sensitively restored by the owner into residential accommodation.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm | Restricted access to exterior of building and courtyard. Owner Tom Smith will be available to answer questions.

Open Doors - Denbigh Town Walls (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Town Walls Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument | Bull Lane, LL16 3SN

The town walls encompass the old town and castle of Denbigh and extend for almost two thirds of a mile. Work began in 1282 and included the 20m high Goblin Tower, built to enclose and protect the only reliable water source for the castle. The walls held back the besieging force of Oliver Cromwell’s Roundheads for nine months during the Civil War, when the garrison was defended by Colonel William Salesbury, ‘Old blue stockings’. The wall walk from the Countess Tower to the Goblin Tower affords superb views across the Vale of Clwyd to Moel Famau and the Clwydian Range.

Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm | Accessible with many steps and uneven surfaces - suitable footwear recommended.

Open Doors - Leicester's Church (29 – 30 September 2018)

Leicester’s Church Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument | Bull Lane, LL16 3SN

Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester and favourite of Elizabeth I, began building Leicester’s Church in 1578. It was dedicated to St David and was part of Leicester’s grand plan, apparently with the intention of transferring the See from St Asaph to Denbigh. In 1584, work was suspended and the structure remained incomplete on his death in 1588. The church was originally conceived as a ten bay arcaded rectangular church. The imposing ruins are the remains of the first and probably the most ambitious Protestant church to be started after the Reformation.

On sunday a monologue on the life of Bishop William Morgan will be performed within the church. See Tours, Events and Exhibitions section for details.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm | Access - uneven steps into the Church.

Open Doors - Denbigh Castle (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Castle Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument | Castle Hill, LL16 3NH

Visitor centre with low-impact environmental design features.

Denbigh Castle is one of the fortresses that formed King Edward I’s “ring of castles”, four of which (Caernarfon, Conwy, Harlech and Beaumaris) have been named World Heritage sites.

Construction of the Castle began in 1282 by Henry de Lacy, one of Edward I’s chief commanders. It was not the first stronghold to occupy this strategic site: it was built over the stronghold of Dafydd ap Gruffudd, the Welsh leader crushed by Edward in 1282. During the Civil War (1642-1649), the then decaying castle was repaired by Colonel William Salesbury. In 1646 the castle endured a nine month siege. When Denbigh finally surrendered on 26 October 1646, it was only after the King had personally ordered Salesbury to do so.

Tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm

Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm | Accessible – some steps and rough terrain; Visitor centre and toilets fully accessible

Open Doors - Burgess Gate (29 – 30 September 2018)

Burgess Gate Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument | Castle Hill, LL16 3NH

This fortified gatehouse was the entry to the walled town from 1282 onwards and had portcullis, murder holes and arrow slits. It was one of a pair of gateways; the other being the now lost Exchequer Gate. Both were built between 1282 and 1294 by Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, under licence from Edward I and were probably designed by the leading military architect of the day, Master James of St George. The twin towers of Burgess Gate form the symbol on Denbigh’s civic seal. The building has also been used as a council chamber and a prison.

Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm | Accessible with step up into tower.

Open Doors - Denbigh Friary (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Friary Denbigh Grade II* Listed Building | Rhyl Road, LL16 3DT

Denbigh Friary is a ruined monastic religious house located in Denbighshire, Wales. It is situated in the valley of the River Clwyd and was founded in 1343-50. The friary was dedicated to St Mary, and was a Carmelite community. The English Benedictine abbot, Robert Parfew was involved in the 18 August 1538 surrender of the Carmelites of Denbigh Friary. During the Dissolution, some of the buildings were turned into houses, while wool was sold in the churchyard. The ruins are mostly from the 13th and 15th centuries, and include parts of a choir, a gable end, and nave walls.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-5pm | Accessible

*** Free Parking - 29/09/18 *** (29 September 2018)

Open Doors - Studio MADE – MOD COMMS – Modular Communication (29 September 2018)

Open Doors - Wireless in Wales Museum (29 – 30 September 2018)

Open Doors - Denbigh and The Great War (29 September 2018)

Open Doors - Tom Pryce Exhibition (29 – 30 September 2018)

Open Doors - *NEW* The King’s Arms (29 – 30 September 2018)

Open Doors - *NEW* St Saeran’s Church (29 – 30 September 2018)

Open Doors - *NEW* Grŵp Cynefin Offices (29 September 2018)

Open Doors - *NEW* St David’s Church (29 September 2018)

Denbigh Town Hall – Wrestling (29 September 2018)

The PERFECT family night out!

Come and watch the most exciting show in Town at Denbigh Town Hall with the Superstars of Britannia Wrestling Promotions.

Championship matches, tag team matches, 8 man elimination matches and much, much more!

Doors open 7:00pm. Show starts 7.30pm.

Tickets: Front row seating £10; General seating £7

To book your seats ahead of show night call/text 07713 566658. For further details of this and other events visit www.britanniawrestling.co.uk

Town Hall, Crown Lane, Denbigh, LL16 3TB

Open Doors - Discover Medieval Denbigh (29 – 30 September 2018)

Discover Medieval Denbigh

Start: 11:00am (Saturday & Sunday)

Meeting point: Denbigh Library. Tour lasts approx. 2hrs

Pre-booking required

A 1.5 mile walk through Denbigh with Fiona Gale, Denbighshire County Council Archaeologist, exploring the Walls, Leicester’s Church, St Hilary’s Tower, Burgess Gate and the exterior of the Castle.

To pre-book contact Denbigh Library (01745 816313).

Access: some steep hills, suitable footwear required

Open Doors - Denbigh Masonic Lodge (29 – 30 September 2018)

Denbigh Masonic Lodge (former Tower Hill Congregational Chapel), Broomhill Lane, LL16 3NH

Built in 1872 the building was originally known as the Tower Hill Welsh Independent Chapel. It remained a chapel for over a hundred years whereupon it was sold to a local businessman John Garbett Clay. He used it for storage and in 1986 it was sold to the Masonic Lodge. The building then underwent extensive renovations and the interior adapted to make it suitable as a Masonic Lodge.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-2pm | Accessible

Open Doors - No. 2 Crown Square (Travelsport) (29 September 2018)

No. 2 Crown Square (Travelsport) | Grade II Listed Building | 2 Crown Square, LL16 3AA

Timber-framed house probably of late C16 date, with C19 part brick and stucco elevations. The island block, to which this building belongs, is shown in John Speed’s depiction of Denbigh for the county map of 1610 and represents an early encroachment into the market place.

Ground floor open as usual (as travel agents) where Information can be provided about the building, and a stairwell leads to first floor where roof timbers can be viewed.

Saturday only 9:30am – 4:30| Accessible to ground floor

Open Doors - Denbigh Town Hall (29 – 30 September 2018)

Town Hall | Grade II* Listed Building | Crown Lane, LL16 3TB

The Town Hall was built in 1915-16 to replace Thomas Fulljames’ Market Hall of 1848, combining town hall and market.  The foundation stone was laid by Thomas Lloyd Jones, Mayor of Denbigh, on 25 March 1915. It is listed as a fine early 20th century public building with the added interest of the relatively early use of reinforced concrete.   The Town Council meets in the Council Chamber. There is also a concert and dance hall with a stage and a magnificent sprung floor and a horseshoe shaped gallery. 

Saturday and Sunday (Council Chamber only) 10am–4pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Brookhouse Pottery (29 – 30 September 2018)

Brookhouse Pottery, Brookhouse, LL16 4RE

This early 19th century building was originally a malt house supplying the local pubs and breweries. It is robustly built in stone directly on the river which supplied the water for the malting process. Originally it had three floors with very cramped headroom between each. The process demanded generous floor area to maximise the size of the shallow malting cisterns. With the development of industrialised malting the building fell into disuse and in the mid-sixties was converted for use as a pottery. Because of the sturdy construction and sympathetic conversion the strong character remains. The busy pottery run by David and Margaret Frith is an ideal user for this lovely riverside building.

Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm | Access: steps down to the building

Open Doors - *NEW* St Hilary’s Church (29 – 30 September 2018)

Open Doors - A tour of Myddelton College (formerly Howell’s School) (30 September 2018)

A tour of Myddelton College (formerly Howell’s School)

Start: 2:00pm

Meeting point: Myddelton College, Peake’s Lane - (main entrance); follow signs. Tour last approx. 1 .5 hours

Howell’s School was an independent school for girls and was open from 1859 to 2013. It is the legacy derived from the Will of Thomas Howell, a Welshman and merchant draper of the City of London, who died in 1537. A new school, Myddelton College, opened its doors in September 2016. Join Wendy Grey-Lloyd on a tour of the grounds of the school to learn more about Thomas Howell and the school itself.

To pre-book contact Denbigh Library (01745 816313)

Access: Some steps, gravel paths, lawns

Open Doors - Denbigh Infirmary Chapel (30 September 2018)

Infirmary Chapel, Ruthin Road, LL16 3ES

Denbigh Infirmary opened its doors in 1807, initially as a dispensary, located in a building on Brook Lane (Factory Place).  This was the first of its kind in North Wales and possibly the whole of Wales.  By 1811, land had been acquired and a news hospital built known as the Denbighshire General Dispensary and Asylum for the Recovery of Health.  Over the years a number of extensions were added which provided additional beds, a laundry and accommodation for fever patients.  In 1957, a new nurses’ home and chapel were opened.  Open Doors provides an unique opportunity for visitors  to learn more about this historic hospital.

Sunday Only; 10am-4pm | Accessible

Open Doors - Geology Tour (30 September 2018)

Geology Tour

Start: 10:30am

Meeting point: Denbigh Library. Tour lasts approx. 1.5 hours

Pre-booking required

Why is Denbigh special? What has it got in common with Africa & Australia? Where do the building materials of Denbigh come from? Where is Denbigh’s Snake Building? Find the answers to these questions & learn more about the real story behind Denbigh on a short tour of the town’s geological past.

To pre-book contact Denbigh Library (01745 816313)

Access: Walk up and down hill and narrow pavements

Open Doors - William Morgan (30 September 2018)

Denbigh Plum Feast (6 October 2018)

The Denbigh Plum is a variety unique to the town, so it seems only right for us to honour it with its very own festival! The plum is soon to be granted protected geographical status – watch this space…

The feast lasts all day, with a magnificent range of dishes on offer. Come and taste for yourself!

Town Hall, Crown Square, Denbigh, LL16 3TB

Time: 10:00-4:00

Admission: FREE

Rememberance Sunday (11 November 2018)

The annual Rememberance Sunday Service takes place on the 11th November by the Cenotaph, Crown Square. Commences 10:30am

Denbigh Country Market, Fridays 9.00am–12.30pm Town Hall, Crown Lane, Denbigh, LL16 3TB

Denbigh Town Hall every Friday morning from March to December. We sell home made cakes and bakes, jams, chutneys, jellies and a wide selection of home made crafts including cards, pictures, knitted  and sewn items also plants.

We also serve tea/coffee, cake, scone and toast

The People's Market, Monthly 9.00am–2.00pm

A monthly market, held on the last Friday of every month at the Market Hall in Crown Square, this is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike, where home-made produce and crafts are for sale. Occasionally, Denbigh also hosts Welsh, French and other European markets, with music and entertainment as well.

Denbigh Market (7 January 2015 – 30 December 2018) Wednesdays 9.00am–4.00pm

Traditional weekly market held every Wednesday

Crown Square and Market Hall