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Denbigh

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This article is about the town in Wales. For other uses, see Denbigh (disambiguation).
Denbigh
Denbigh Library
Population8,986 (2011)
OS grid referenceSJ055665
Community
  • Denbigh
Principal area
Preserved county
CountryWales
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townDENBIGH
Postcode districtLL16
Dialling code01745
PoliceNorth Wales
FireNorth Wales
AmbulanceWelsh
UK Parliament
Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
List of places
UK
Wales
Denbighshire

Denbigh (/ˈdɛnbi/; Template:Lang-cy) is a market town and community in Denbighshire, Wales, of which it was formerly the county town. Denbigh lies 8 miles to the north west of Ruthin and to the south of St Asaph. The town grew around the glove-making industry.

History

The first borough charter was granted to Denbigh in 1290, when the town was still contained within the old town walls. It was the centre of the Marcher Lordship of Denbigh. The town was involved in the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294-95; the castle was captured in the autumn, and on 11 November 1294 a relieving force was defeated by the Welsh rebels. The town was recaptured by Edward I in December. Denbigh was also burnt in 1400 during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr.

During the Wars of the Roses (1455-1487), the town was largely destroyed, subsequently moving from the hilltop to the area of the present town market.[1]

In 1643, during the English Civil War, Denbigh became a refuge for a Royalist garrison during the English Civil War. Surrendering in 1646, the castle and town walls eventually fell into ruin.[2]

Notable buildings in Denbigh include Denbigh Castle, the town walls begun in 1282 including the Burgess Gate and Leicester's Church. This is an unfinished church begun in 1579 by Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, who was also Baron of Denbigh. It was planned as a cathedral with the title of city to be transferred from neighbouring St. Asaph. The project ran out of money and the grounds now lie derelict.

Railway

Denbigh was once served by a railway station on the former London and North Western Railway, later part of the LMS. The "Vale of Clwyd" line leading north to St. Asaph and Rhyl closed in 1955, leaving Denbigh on a lengthy branch running from Chester via Mold and Denbigh to Ruthin, which closed in 1962. A southern continuation beyond Ruthin linking up with the Great Western Railway at Corwen had closed in 1952. The platform of Denbigh station can still be seen beside the road leading to the Kwik Save store.

North Wales Hospital

At one time the majority of the population sought employment at the North Wales Hospital, which cared for people with psychiatric illnesses. The hospital closed in the late 1990s.

Description

Population

Its population at the 2001 Census was 8,783,[3] increasing to 8,986 in the 2011 census.[4]

Amenities

Attractions in the town include a library and museum. Denbigh Boxing Club is located on Middle Lane.

Denbigh Cricket Club is one of the oldest cricket clubs in Wales having been established in 1844. The club plays at the Ystrad Road ground and plays in the North Wales Cricket League. The 1st XI play in the Premier Division having won the Division 1 championship in 2010 with the 2nd XI in Division 3.

For over 50 years, a barrel rolling competition has been held on Boxing Day in the town square.

Site of Special Scientific Interest

Crest Mawr Wood (alt. - Crêst) is a Site of Special Scientific Interest to the north west, adjoining Denbigh Golf Club and the Tarmac Quarry, an historic and ancient deciduous woodland. This woodland is endangered due to environmental pressure and competing land use in the area.

National Eisteddfod

Denbigh hosted the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1882, 1939, 2001 and 2013.

  • Denbigh c.1778 from Thomas Pennant's A Tour in Wales
    Denbigh c.1778 from Thomas Pennant's A Tour in Wales
  • 1808 engraving by James Storer
    1808 engraving by James Storer
  • Denbigh painted by a travelling French artist c.1830
    Denbigh painted by a travelling French artist c.1830
  • Town and castle
    Town and castle
  • 1750 huntings scene by John Boydell
    1750 huntings scene by John Boydell
  • North-east view of the hospital, 1850s
    North-east view of the hospital, 1850s

Notable people

References

  1. ^ "Denbigh, Clwyd, Wales". Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  2. ^ "Welcome to Denbigh". Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  3. ^ "2001 Census: Denbigh (Parish)". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 30 November 2007.
  4. ^ "Town population 2011". Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  5. ^ "Humphrey Lloyd profile". BBC Wales. Retrieved 7 December 2006.
  6. ^ "Kate Roberts profile". BBC Wales. Retrieved 7 December 2006.
  7. ^ "Henry Morton Stanley profile". BBC Wales. Retrieved 7 December 2006.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Denbigh.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Denbigh.
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