Ruthin Castle's £3m luxury spa plan given the go-ahead

Jun 23 2008 By David Simister

Ruthin Castle

RUTHIN Castle is set to become a haven for relaxation after permission to build a luxury spa was finally granted by the county council last week.

Owner Anthony Saint-Clare said the news came after more than three years of negotiations and planning, and says the new development will tie in with the historic feel of the existing building.

"Ruthin Castle deserves a facility of this standard and it could help release the vast potential that secures the long term financial success of this business," he told Your Vale.

Mr Saint-Clare says the planned spa will include an indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, an array of relaxation rooms and special private rooms for VIP guests as part of the overhaul, which is expected to cost around £3m.

Currently the site - which dates back to the 13th century - is used as a hotel, which recently won two AA rosettes for the quality of food and service at its restaurant.

As the building remains largely the same as when it was sold by King Charles I in 1632, the area’s owners and Denbighshire County Council have struggled to reach a solution which would compliment the site’s history.

"Although the main body of the spa is internal, it was essential to the design that its character is distinctively ‘Ruthin Castle’ and incorporated elements of both the mediaeval castle and the Welsh countryside" said Mr Saint-Claire.

"The spa is expected to cost in excess of £3 million and together with further refurbishment of the castle interior, could catapult Ruthin Castle to the top tier of British hotels and make it the national and international draw that its historic status deserves."