Become a time-traveller as you step through the seven ages of Nantclwyd y Dre, and relax in the beautifully tranquil Lord’s Garden.
Nantclwyd y Dre are the winners of a 2017, 2018 and 2023 Visit Wales Hidden Gem award.
About Nantclwyd y Dre
Nantclwyd y Dre offers a unique exploration of over 500 years of history, from medieval up to the 20th century. Step through the seven ages of this beautifully restored Grade I listed house as it reveals the lives of its residents. Begin your journey in 1435 and learn about how the building expanded from a weaver’s hall house, to a 17th century lawyer’s townhouse and a Victorian school for young girls.
The Lord’s Garden is a beautifully tranquil space right in the heart of Ruthin. Bring a picnic or simply take a stroll through lush greenery, vibrant colours with backdrop views of the Clwydian Range and Ruthin Castle.
Young visitors can become “Young Explorers” with our specially designed trails and borrow bags that will help them discover more about Nantclwyd y Dre’s history and nature.
Our “bat cam” is a great opportunity to observe our special maternity roost of Lesser horseshoe, Long-eared brown and Pipistrelle bats.
If you are looking for a unique gift, our shop is stocked with products made by local artisans, including a selection of jams and chutneys made with fruit that was harvested from the Lord’s Garden.
Nantclwyd y Dre is a unique setting for your intimate and exclusive wedding, civil partnership or vow renewal.
The nearest council car parks are:
Opening times
Nantclwyd y Dre is open during the following times:
October to March
You can arrange a group visit during October to March by emailing us or calling 01824 709822.
April to September
- Thursday: 11am to 5pm
- Friday: 11am to 5pm
- Saturday: 11am to 5pm
Last admission: 4pm
Price list
If you pay full price to enter either Ruthin Gaol or Nantclwyd y Dre, you can get 20% off admission to the other site if you show your receipt. This is valid for the whole season.
- Adult: £7.00
- Adult - garden entry only: £3.00
- Children aged 5 to 16 years old: £6.00
- Children - garden entry only: £2.00
- Children under 5 years old: free
- Family (4 people, min one child): £20.00
- Seniors (60 years +): £6.00
- Students: £6.00
- Carer accompanying a disabled visitor: free
- Young Archaeologists club: free
Garden pass
Garden Pass
The pass includes:
- free entry to Nantclwyd y Dre gardens during 2023 opening times
- enjoy easy access to the gardens throughout the season
- plus 20% off admission to Nantclwyd y Dre house during opening times
Prices
- Family (4 people including at least one child): £15
- Adults: £10
- Concessions (60+ and students): £6
Terms and conditions
- The Garden Pass allows free entry into the garden during normal opening times (except during paid events)
- The pass is valid until 30 September 2023
- The pass is valid only to the pass-holder and cannot be transferred to another user
- The pass can be withdrawn if found to be misused
- Lost or damaged passes can be replaced for a fee of £1
To purchase a Garden Pass, simply call into Nantclwyd y Dre during
opening hours and we will issue your pass.
Contact us
Castle Street
Ruthin
LL15 1DP
Email: heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk
Phone: 01824 709822
Social media
Hiring this venue
You can hire Nantclwyd y Dre parlour rooms for events, parties and meetings. You will need to arrange your own catering and can use our kitchen area and fridge. This venue has space for up to 60 guests.
- During public visiting times: £25 per hour
- Outside of public visiting times: £25 per hour + a one off fee of £45
Lord’s Garden wall repairs
June 2023
Following the collapse of The Lords Garden main retaining wall earlier this year, specialist contractors and engineers are continuing to consolidate the remaining sections of wall and garden (phase 1 works).
Recent works have involved drilling through the rear of the wall up to 6.0m horizontally to install a grid pattern of specialist ground anchors to stabilise the garden and respect the Listed status of the wall. These works are estimated to complete by the end of July 2023, when plans will be made for phase 2.
Denbighshire County Council initially engaged local Engineers to inspect the wall and provide advice in respects to rebuilding the collapsed section of wall and also consolidating the remaining parts of the wall if required.
The inspection revealed serious concerns about the remaining sections of the wall and that further collapses were likely which presented a high risk of danger to the general public who use the public footpath. DCC therefore instructed the Engineers to carry out designs for Phase 1 – emergency works making safe the collapsed area, consolidating the rest of the wall either side of the collapse and also planning the re-building of the collapsed section of wall (phase 2).
Phase 1 works have since progressed well with all the making safe work now done. Whenever significant work is carried out in a historic setting, Archaeologists are involved to monitor and advise and this will continue throughout the length of the process.
March 2023
A 14-week schedule of works has commenced to remove sections of the collapsed listed garden wall at Nantclwyd Y Dre. Works to remove dangerous sections and clear the collapse also include making safe works to stabilise the remaining wall. Once these works are complete, a plan to rebuild and restore this historic wall will be put into place. Movement monitoring and an Archaeologic watching brief are in place for the duration of the works due to the listed status and historical significance of the wall and garden and the sensitivity of the works being carried out.
The Cunning Green public footpath will remain closed until all works are completed due to the scale and complexity of the works and the significant health and safety risk they pose.
January 2023
On 9 January 2023, a significant collapse of Nantclwyd y Dre’s garden wall was discovered, with a substantial amount of spoil filling the Cunning Green footpath, leaving an unstable section of wall remaining.
Safety measures have been put in place and will remain in place as plans are agreed to ensure works can commence to remove spoil and take down unsafe sections of the wall.
Once the vital works have been completed, further discussions around rebuilding the wall will be formed.
Location map
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