Denbigh 11 and 12 September 2010

Denbigh, in the 11th century, was a border town guarding the approach to the Hiraethog hills and Snowdonia, the Welsh 'Dinbych' meaning a 'small fortified place'. During the next 200 years the town grew in stature to become a residence of Welsh princes but, in 1282, Edward I overcame the Welsh resistance and the town was granted to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who started to build the castle.

In 1563 Elizabeth I's favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, was given the castle and lordship of Denbigh and the town grew as a centre of Renaissance culture and enterprise. Denbigh prospered as a market town and many notable Welshmen resided there including Hugh Myddleton, his brother Thomas, H M Stanley, Twm o'r Nant, Richard Clough and Humphrey Llwyd.

Today the town boasts over 200 listed buildings in a delightful mixture of styles, from medieval timber and stone to grand Victorian brick. The High Street, wide enough for a market, contains the County Hall, built in 1572 and now a library and gallery, and is flanked by close knit streets retaining their sense of the medieval town plan. On top of the hill the castle reigns supreme, surrounded by the impressive town walls.