Looking back at 2019
Denbighshire Heritage has enjoyed another fantastic season across all of our sites this year, thanks to the efforts of our amazing volunteers and our dedicated staff members.
Ruthin Gaol and Plas Newydd received new audio guide systems this year from Guide ID which have been a huge success. Visitors to both sites have praised the new system, and we have seen record numbers of them being used daily. Many thanks to our talented staff and volunteers for lending their voices to the audio tour.
At Ruthin Gaol, ‘You Are the Prisoner’ saw visitors stepping back in time to experience what it was like to be a Victorian prisoner; ‘Transported!’ let you experience real stories from convicts shipped across the ocean to Australia, and Captured on Camera allowed prisoners to take their own grisly mugshots to put on a poster.
Our final event, Halloween Week, saw the Gaol was transformed into an eerie den of tricks and terrors for the half term week. There were plenty of spooky activities for the whole family, and children who wore fancy dress won a prize!
Plas Newydd enjoyed some time in the spotlight this year thanks to BBCs ‘Gentleman Jack’ series, which tied into the history of Eleanor and Sarah and their unique friendship. The café received an update before the season, and the new look has been popular with locals and visitors alike! The many walks and events held across the site were well attended, and gave visitors a great experience of Plas Newydd’s natural beauty.
Nantclwyd Y Dre unfortunately saw its Nature Day event sadly cancelled due to terrible weather on the day, our other events fared much better! The Open Doors event featured a magnificent medieval band playing in the house and garden, bringing out the historical feeling of Nantclwyd Y Dre. The Friends of Nantclwyd hosted a Diwali party that went down a storm, featuring handmade decorations, and much celebrating!
Our Heritage sites open again in April 2020, opening times/days vary so please visit www.denbighshire.gov.uk/heritage for individual details. Ruthin Gaol is fully accessible with lifts for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and prams/pushchairs. Nantclwyd Y Dre is accessible to the ground floor, with interactive visual displays of upper floors and Plas Newydd is accessible to the ground floor with an accessible café. You can visit on any of the advertised opening days without booking, or book in advance for a private group tour, in English or Welsh, led by one of our fantastic guides. Please call 01824 706868 for more details.