Llanarmon-yn-Iâl, Eryrys & Graianrhyd

Discover Wartime Ruthin
2025-05-10
Discover Wartime Ruthin at Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre Historic House and Gardens
Popular heritage attractions Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre historic house and gardens offer a compelling insight into local life in wartime Ruthin, with extra activities planned to commemorate the VE Day celebrations of 1946.
Prominent features of Ruthin’s local history, each venue tells its individual wartime story through informative audio guides and interactive exhibitions designed to allow visitors of all ages to discover life during the period.
At Ruthin Gaol, this includes a fresh retelling of the historic prison’s time as a munitions factory, dubbed by press at the time as ‘Britain’s Strangest Factory’, with first-hand accounts of life as a ‘Munitionette’, from the women who worked there.
As for Nantclwyd y Dre, the impressive entrance hallway has been dedicated to the wartime era, depicting family life of the era through replica artefacts, an immersive soundscape, and the opportunity for younger visitors to learn about rations as they complete a time-traveller’s passport.
Alongside the permanent exhibitions and trails, visitors on Saturday 10th May will be invited to take part in a host of traditional sports day activities, inspired by the programme of special celebratory events that took place in Ruthin throughout 1946.
From an egg and spoon race, and beanbag relay in the exercise yard at the Gaol, to a sack race and three-legged relay in the gardens at Nantclwyd y Dre, visitors will be able to experience the significant day as local residents did nearly 80 years before.
“The way we tell the wartime story of each of our historic sites, and the extra VE Day activities on the 10th are designed to bring history to life in a hands-on and engaging way.
“The wartime period is such a significant chapter in the stories of both Ruthin Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre, and we hope that through these activities and exhibitions, visitors leave with a deeper understanding of what life was like on the home front here in Ruthin.”
“The Gaol and Nantclwyd y Dre are establishments that boast significant historic value and it’s important that we remember and celebrate the history that is on our doorstep. These activities that will be held to commemorate the VE Day celebrations offer an alternative way to remember a significant day in our history”.
For further information please contact the Denbighshire Heritage Service team via heritage@denbighshire.gov.uk or visit our heritage page for opening times and admission details.
