Denbighshire Heritage Service have recently completed a series of accessibility improvements at two of its historic attractions.
The works at Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd, have looked at improving access for visitors and promoting inclusivity at the County’s heritage attractions.
Enhancing Access at Ruthin Gaol
Offering a unique Victorian prison experience, Ruthin Gaol is fast becoming one of North Wales’s most popular attractions, welcoming increasing numbers of visitors from far and wide and receiving a TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice award in 2024.
To enhance accessibility within this historic site, recent improvements have focused on making navigation safer and more comfortable for all visitors. These include:
- New seating installed in the basement, offering a welcome rest spot for visitors exploring the site.
- Unnecessary street furniture removed to create clearer walkways.
- Additional and updated handrails, especially where steps previously lacked support.
- Brightly painted nosing strips on stairs to improve visibility and reduce trip hazards.
- A new cycle storage and baby-changing facilities, making the site more family-friendly and accessible to cyclists.
Improvements at Nantclwyd y Dre
Dating back to 1435, Nantclwyd y Dre is one of the oldest Welsh timber-framed townhouses still open to the public which boasts beautiful hidden gardens, where visitors can experience history hands-on through interactive trails and activities found throughout the house’s period-themed rooms, from medieval to modern.
Works to improve access to the ground floor, including the coffee corner, 1940s style Parlour, WWII-themed hall, Victorian kitchen, shop, ‘Bat Cam’ area, and extensive gardens were prioritised and have now been completed thanks to the inclusion of:
- New ramps installed in both the house and garden, making all areas easier to access.
- Improved lighting, particularly in rooms where previous low levels posed a challenge for some visitors.
Carly Davies, acting Heritage Service Manager, said:
“We are committed to improving access across our historic attractions while respecting their unique character. These enhancements are an important step in making Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre more inclusive, and we hope event more visitors can enjoy a day out with us as a result.”
Councillor Emrys Wynne, Lead Member for Welsh Language, Culture and Heritage added:
“The recent changes are a welcome improvement to both sites and directly address some of the key findings from recent accessibility audits. I hope that more visitors can now enjoy these wonderful sites thanks to these improvements that underline Denbighshire Heritage Service’s commitment to ensuring that our heritage sites are accessible to all”.
For more information about visiting Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre, including accessibility details, please visit our website or contact the Denbighshire Heritage Service team via heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk
