Rhuddlan ( , approximately ) is a town and community in the county of Denbighshire (previously in Clwyd and before 1974 in the former county of Flintshire), in north Wales. It is situated to the south of the coastal town of Rhyl and overlooks the River Clwyd. The town gave its name to the Welsh district of Rhuddlan from 1974 to 1996. At the 2001 Census, the population was 4,296.

History

Rhuddlan has a longer history then the castle fortress built following Edward I of England's Conquest of Wales. Prior to Norman occupation of lower Gwynedd, the Perfeddwlad, Rhuddlan was the site of a Welsh cantref, and served as the seat of government for the Welsh king Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (1007 – August 5, 1063), whose family may have been the traditional Welsh lords of Rhuddlan for generations.

The town is known for the ruins of Rhuddlan Castle, built by Edward I of England from 1277 to 1282 and the site of another castle at Twthill, built by the Norman Robert of Rhuddlan about 1072.

The town was also the location where Edward I signed the Statute of Rhuddlan, laying down the way by which the Principality of Wales, created by the princes of Gwynedd, was to be governed.

Rhuddlan railway station was part of the Vale of Clwyd Railway until it closed in the 1960s.

A fossil of a pterosaur was believed to have been discovered in Rhuddlan in the early 1990s.

In 2001, the A525 bypass road was completed, easing access to Rhyl and since then the centre of Rhuddlan has been redeveloped.

Notable people

Photographer Philip Jones Griffiths, well known for his photographs during the Vietnam War was born in Rhuddlan. Wales and Real Sociedad footballer David Vaughan was also born in the town.

Famous former residents include Lisa Scott-Lee of pop band Steps and her brother Andy Scott-Lee.

Rhuddlan Community Recycling Centre

Denbighshire County Council's (DCC) recent controversial plans to build a recycling centre off the A525, to the south of Rhuddlan, have been scrapped.

The local council faced very strong, and very public, condemnation of their plans. Rhuddlan's residents, Professor David Bellamy and CADW. The council said it would not be submitting any further planning applications for the site, and that it would be restored to its former condition. Local residents have proposed the site be turned into an environment and nature park.

References

External links

• www.geograph.co.uk: photos of Rhuddlan and surrounding area
• Britannia Wrestling Promotions - Rhuddlan BWP Training Ground - British Wrestling Shows & Events