Ruthin Castle has been standing in one form or another since the 13th century, and its ruined medieval walls still run through the grounds behind the Victorian house that now serves as the hotel. It sits on the edge of Ruthin itself, so guests can walk into one of the prettiest market towns in Wales, with the Clwydian hills rising beyond. Peacocks wander the lawns, entirely unbothered by wedding parties, and have become something of a signature.
The castle is licensed for civil ceremonies, with the Grand Salon and the Peacock Suite as the principal rooms, and takes up to 100 guests seated or 120 standing. Outdoor ceremonies are possible too, with the castle walls as a backdrop, which is a rare and rather spectacular option in this part of the country. There is also a medieval banqueting hall, used for themed receptions for couples who want their evening to be a little less conventional than a hotel ballroom.
With 59 bedrooms, this is one of the larger wedding venues in north Wales for accommodation, which makes a real difference to how the night goes — discounted rates are offered to wedding guests, and there is a Prince of Wales Suite for the couple. A woodland spa sits in the grounds for the morning before, and the combination of a spa, a castle, a market town on the doorstep and enough beds for a large guest list makes this an unusually practical venue as well as a romantic one.
Where the band plays
The Grand Salon is the principal room and the one most couples use for dinner and dancing, with the Peacock Suite as the alternative. Both are period rooms rather than purpose-built function spaces, so a four or five-piece is the right scale here — enough to fill a floor of 100 to 120 guests without overwhelming the plasterwork. The medieval banqueting hall is a different proposition again and worth asking about if you want the evening to feel theatrical; stone rooms give a band a big, reverberant sound that suits some repertoires far better than others.
How the evening runs
The castle’s entertainment licence runs to midnight, which gives you a long and comfortable evening and, more usefully, lets the band play two full sets with a proper break rather than one compressed dash to the last dance. Plan the running order so that the strongest material lands while the room is full rather than holding it back. With 59 bedrooms above and around you, there will be a sensible view on volume, so confirm the details with the events team when you book — including whether live music has to finish any earlier than the bar. Load-in is straightforward, with parking and access close to the main rooms.
Bands available in North Wales and perfectly at home in a venue like this.
More live music in North Wales.
- North Wales Wedding Bands
- North Wales Events Bands
- Tribute Acts in North Wales
- Wedding DJs in North Wales
- Corporate Entertainment in North Wales
Worth reading before you book: Sound Limiters at Venues: What You Need to Know. More questions answered on our England & Wales FAQs.