Open Doors Denbigh 10 and 11 September

St Mary's Church
Henllan Place, Grade II* Listed Building
NGR SJ050662

St Mary's Church was built in 1874 to replace the medieval church of St Hilary within the old town walls, demolished in 1923. 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). It was condemned at the time as 'an inducement to Popery and a betrayal of the principles of the Reformation'. Other features of interest are the Flemish dossal (back panel) of 1530 in finely woven tapestry and the very fine Arts & Crafts stained glass windows at the west end by Christopher and Veronica Whall.

10 and 11 September, 10am-5pm. Sunday worship 11am-12 noon. Fully accessible.

St David's Church
St David's Lane, Grade II Listed Building
NGR SJ055660

St David’s Church was built by Thomas Penson and consecrated in 1840 on a site given by Captain Mostyn of Segrwyd. It was called the new St David's Church after the unfinished cathedral of St David, now known as Leicester's Church, by the castle. The striking window in the south transept is by Edward Burne-Jones, the Pre-Raphaelite painter who worked closely with William Morris. It is symbolic of the Beatific Vision of the King in Glory in the New Heaven and is in memory of Susan Marian Hughes of Ystrad, dedicated by her husband, February 8 1895. There is also a carved white marble reredos depicting the Last Supper. The church was not finished until 1858 and in 1894 it was rebuilt on the present cruciform plan at a cost of £3,645.

10 and 11 September, 11am-2pm. Limited access: one step up into church.

St Marcella's Church
Whitchurch Road, Grade I Listed Building
NGR SJ071662

St Marcella's Church was 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 in the church are the map-maker Humphrey Llwyd, members of the powerful Salusbury family and the heart of Richard Clough, the Denbigh-born merchant who ordered that his heart be returned from Hamburg in a silver casket for burial. Outside is the grave of Twm o'r Nant, poet of Denbigh.

10 and 11 September, 10am-5pm. Sunday worship 9.30-10.30am. Fully accessible. Directions available from Denbigh Library.

Howell's School
Off Peakes Lane
NGR SJ055660

The trustees of Thomas Howell, a cloth merchant who died in Seville leaving a legacy of 12,000 gold ducats for the education of orphaned Welsh maidens, founded Howell’s school in 1859. Even today the annual income from this legacy is still used to support some scholars. Most of the original 19th century buildings have been preserved and later additions are in the same Victorian style. Set in 120 acres of unspoilt parkland, yet just a few minutes walk from the town centre, the Howell’s Estate stretches from the walls of Denbigh Castle to the tenanted home farm (Goblin Farm). Here it is possible to enjoy the best of country and town life.

Tours available: see Walk and Tours page.

Bryn Y Parc
Park Street, Grade II* Listed Building
NGR SJ054661

Bryn Y Parc is an important early town house dating from the mid 16th 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 and has remained empty until recently. The new owner began the huge task of renovating the building in early 2008. The work is still in progress and a recent feature to be found is a well in the cellar.

10 and 11 September, 10am-4pm. Restricted access. You may be asked to wait before entering the building, as numbers are strictly limited.

Denbigh Library
Hall Square (High Street), Grade II* Listed Building
NGR SJ052658

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 and gallery.

10 and 11 September, 10am-4.30pm. Fully accessible. All Library services will be available throughout the weekend.






Mostyn House
42 Vale Street LL16 3BW,
Grade II Listed Building
NGR SJ054662

Mostyn House dates from the 1720s, and may have been the townhouse of the Mostyn family; a stone cartouche formerly on the building displays the Mostyn crest. Originally of Flemish bond brickwork with sandstone dressings, it was remodelled in late 19th century and again in the 1970s. At one time a shop, it has been converted back into a single dwelling. Extensive improvements to the exterior included the removal of cement render and reversing the shopfront alterations. The house received a grant from the Townscape Heritage Initiative to assist in the completion of this work.

Tours available: see Walk and Tours page.

Grove Place (former Police Station)
Vale Street LL16 3BW,
Grade II Listed Building
NGR SJ054662

Grove Place dates from the mid-18th century and is built of Flemish bond brickwork with sandstone dressings. Listed for its elegant Georgian detailing including tripartite Venetian style windows to the ground floor; tripartite sashes to the first; and Diocletian style windows to the second. It has an end bay - possibly originally wig closets, and Tuscan style porch. Empty since 2001, the new owner is converting it into eco-friendly holiday accommodation with the help of a grant from the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Tours available: see Walk and Tours page.

Burgess Gate
Castle Hill, Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument
NGR SJ051657

Recently extensively repaired by Cadw, 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.

10 and 11 September, 10am-5pm. Limited access: step up into tower.

Leicester's Church
Bull Lane, Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument
NGR SJ053657

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.

10 and 11 September 10am-5pm. Step up into grounds. Grounds opened courtesy of Mr & Mrs Hobson.

Denbigh Town Walls
Bull Lane, Grade I Listed Building, Scheduled Ancient Monument
NGR SJ051657

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.

10 and 11 September, 11am-4pm. Limited access: many steps and uneven surfaces - suitable footwear recommended.

Dr Evan Pierce Memorial Garden
Vale Street, Grade II* Listed Building, Grade II Registered Historic Garden
NGR SJ055662

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 and planting typical of its period, recently extensively renovated. Two fountains at the entrance commemorate Victoria's Jubilee.

10 and 11 September, 10am-5pm. Fully accessible.

Dolbelydr
Grade II* Listed Building
NGR SJ031709

A fine example of a 16th century stone-built gentry house which has survived remarkably unaltered. This was where Henry Salesbury (1561-1605), physician and humanist scholar, wrote his Grammatica Britannica, published in 1593. The Grammatica was the first attempt to impose formal grammar on the Welsh language. Originally, Dolbelydr would have been a house of considerable status, built of well-dressed limestone with tall chimneys. It declined in status through the years and underwent various alterations. It stood empty from around 1912. It has been beautifully restored by the Landmark Trust who offer accommodation for holiday makers at the house.

Directions from Denbigh: take A525 to Trefnant. At the traffic lights turn left on to the B5428, proceed over a crossroads. After about half mile turn right into the private lane leading to Bryn Wgan Farm. The access track to Dolbelydr is through the gate on your right opposite a large oak tree. Follow the track down a steep hill and follow signs for parking.

Friday 9 to Tuesday 13 September. Fri-Mon 10am–4pm and Tues 10am–1pm.