Denbigh - Castle & Historic Town

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Denbigh Castle and historic town, with Explorers helping Paige Turner, a local librarian, follow an old notebook and map from the archives below Denbigh Library to uncover the lost treasures and outwit the mischievous fire lizards said to be distracting treasure hunters in the Clwydian Hills.

The quest covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2 hours to complete. You'll set off from Denbigh Football Club in Lower Denbigh, investigate historic streets including Vale Street, the High Street and Back Row, pass local landmarks including Denbigh Friary and the Sir Henry Morton Stanley statue, then climb towards Denbigh Castle, St Hilary's Tower and the older town before looping back downhill towards the start.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route goes through the medieval town centre with narrow streets, sometimes uses roads with no pavements, and includes a steep hill up to the castle. There is also a fairly steep path between the gate and the church, steps in Highgate and uphill sections throughout the route.

Take extra care on roads without pavements and at the busy road crossing near Sir Henry Morton Stanley. Cross carefully and use the island if the traffic is too busy.

Getting There

By car: Your quest begins at Denbigh Football Club, off Park St, Lower Denbigh (LL16 3EW). More parking is available at the free car park on Park Street (LL16 3DE). This is a circular Trail, returning downhill on Park Road to the Football Club on the right opposite the car park.

By public transport: Make your way to Denbigh Football Club, off Park St, Lower Denbigh, to begin the treasure hunt. The circular route brings you back to the same starting area once the fire lizards' mischief has been investigated.

Need the Loo?

Public toilets are in the car park behind the shops in Back Row, by Clue 09, making this a handy mid-quest pit stop.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the treasure hunt. 🐾

The route includes narrow streets, roads with no pavements, a busy road crossing, steps in Highgate and some steep uphill sections, so keep canine companions close around traffic and take the climbs at a steady pace.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting on Denbigh's hills calls for proper supplies.

There are plenty of eateries along Vale Street, the High Street and Back Row (Clues 03 - 11), plus shops where you can pick up provisions for a picnic at the castle. Back Row is also described as an ideal place to pause and review your clues before pressing on with the quest.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Denbigh Castle

Denbigh Castle is the mighty centrepiece of this adventure. Built by Henry de Lacy in the late 13th century as part of King Edward I's iron grip on Wales, its crumbling walls offer sweeping views across the Clwydian hills. If you have extra time while on the route, the visitor centre at the castle is also well worth a visit.

Denbigh Friary

Tucked off Rhyl Road in Lower Denbigh, the ruins of Denbigh Friary were founded in 1289 by Carmelite 'White Friars'. A devastating fire in 1898 left only the remains of walls and soft whispers - which, frankly, sounds exactly like the kind of place mischievous fire lizards might use as a lair for stolen gems.

Wireless in Wales Museum

Opposite Clue 11 is the free 'Wireless in Wales' Museum. It's a neat extra stop for Explorers who like their treasure hunts with a little local invention and communication history mixed in.

Sir Henry Morton Stanley statue

The route points you towards the statue of Sir Henry Morton Stanley, a Denbigh-born journalist and explorer who grew up in the St Asaph workhouse. He later became famous for African expeditions and for tracking down the missing missionary, making him a fitting fellow adventurer to encounter on a clue-chasing quest.

St Hilary's Tower

St Hilary's Tower is a lonely reminder of Denbigh's past. It was once part of a medieval chapel of ease built into the late 13th-century town walls for townsfolk who could not reach the main church, and after the chapel was demolished in 1923 the bell tower was left standing guard.