Getaway guide to: Rugged Ruthin & The Clwydian Range
Sell: Devinder Bains, 33 from Winchmore Hill, Enfield headed off to Denbighshire, North Wales for a weekend exploring the valleys!
Intro: Me and my other half were desperate to escape the buzz of city life so headed off to rural North Wales in search of some peace and quiet!
Where did you stay?
After a 4-hour drive from London, we arrived at the beautiful ‘Old Rectory’ B&B just outside of Ruthin in a little village called Clocaenog in Denbighshire. Run by a lovely family, the B&B had everything we needed. The room was beautifully decorated, with a huge en suite and the breakfast in the morning was amazing! The owner Catherine is a local walking guide so was the perfect person to give us advice on what to do with our long weekend.
What’s There To Do?
Situated in the Clwydian Range, just over the England-Wales border, there is a whole host of activities for those who like the great outdoors. We thought we’d stretch our legs and follow part of a famous trekking route called the Offa’s Dyke footpath. The scenery was simply stunning and after 9 miles of walking we decided we had better turn round and walk back or it would be dark! In the evening we got fish and chips from the local town Ruthin and headed back to our B&B for a well deserved rest – bliss!
The next day we felt we deserved a bit of pampering so decided to visit Springs Spa – a 10-minute drive from the B&B. Housed in a grade II listed building, the spa has everything you need to unwind including a sauna, steam room and the biggest hydrotherapy pool we’d ever seen! You can also have lunch at the café on site but we chose to head back into Ruthin and visit Ruthin Castle, a 13th century estate that was built for King Edward I. Now a luxurious hotel, open to the general public. After exploring the history of the beautiful grounds, we sat in the bar and had a huge cream tea. Finger sandwiches, Scones and Cream, Welsh Cakes and other treats like meringues and strawberries were just what we needed after our strenuous morning at the spa!
Good Grub?
On our first night we chose to eat a little restaurant in Ruthin called On The Hill. We dined on scallops, garlic mushrooms and the lamb – which was to die for.
The prices are really reasonable too with the whole meal only coming to around £40 with wine so I cannot recommend this place enough for some great food!
Useful Stuff
For more info on the area visit: www.northwalesborderlands.co.uk
Old Rectory B&B – http://oldrectoryclocaenog.co.uk/ – 01824 750740
On The Hill Restaurant – http://www.onthehillrestaurant.co.uk/ – 01824 707736
Springs Spa – http://www.springs-spa.co.uk/ – 01745 539922
Ruthin Castle – http://www.ruthincastle.co.uk/ - 01824 702664
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