Rug Chapel - Castles of Wales

Visit Rug Chapel and Get Your Cadw Explorer Pass to Visit 20 Historic Monuments in Wales

Your key to unlock Wales' greatest castles, in one ticket!

The Castles of Wales Explorer Pass offers the freedom to explore all of Cadw's historic attractions and help you get the most out of your visit to Wales. 

• Entry to 20 Welsh castles and attractions (see additional info for full list)
• Visit as many castle as you want
• Choice of either the 3 day pass or 7 day pass (the 3 day pass gives you 3 days of entrance and is valid for a 7 day period. The 7 day pass gives you 7 days of entrance, valid for 14 days)
• Save lots of money!

Book your Castle of Wales Explorer Pass by tapping 'Book' on this page. Once booked, your pass will be sent to you by email. Show this pass upon entry to all attractions either on your device or print if you prefer.

A historic landmark with a special atmosphere

Enjoy a beautiful day out when you head to Rug Chapel in the parish of Corwen, Denbighshire.

Walking through the beautiful garden towards the chapel will give you a hint of the rich interior inside the church.

Smell the amazing aromas of the herbs, roses, and lavender as you make your way up to the chapel - one of the very rare 17th-century churches that were untouched by the ‘restorers’ of the Victorian Gothic revival.

You'll be wowed before even stepping into the building as you sit in the tranquil gardens with the birds singing around you. This was the private church of Colonel William Salesbury, also known as ‘Hen Hosanau Gleision’ or Old Blue Stockings.

Some believe his prayers under the beautiful church roof were the reason why the monarchy returned in 1660.

Salesbury was a Royalist who defended the nearby Denbigh Castle throughout the Civil War before he surrendered to parliamentary forces.

Inside the magnificent chapel

Your eyes will light up as you become mesmerised when entering through the arched doorway. See the talent and creativity all around through the decorative flourishes at every turn. You'll get a real feeling of peace and calm in this stunning building.

Take a moment to admire the outstanding carved roof, painted in a splendid flowing floral design and four wooden angels overlooking the scene.

We recommend staying a while to have a closer look at all the details, especially the exquisite stained windows with their colours brightened in the sunlight.

Tilt your head up towards the wooden beam ceiling and marvel at the decorations of intricate scrolls as well as red and white roses.

You'll hear the echo of your shoes as you walk on the tiles and move to the north wall to see the skeleton and skull which are placed in a portico with columns on either side.

This slightly morbid sight was intended to remind the congregation of their own mortality!

Round the day off with a lovely meal

Listen to the trees rustling in the wind as you head back outside to the fresh air. Take a seat on the grass and have a picnic.

Enjoy the rest of your time at Rug Chapel tucking into delicious homemade sandwiches and refreshingly cool drinks. A trip to this beautiful location never disappoints.

What other Cadw attractions can I visit with the Castles of Wales Pass? 

• Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
• Blaenavon Ironworks, Torfaen
• Caerleon Roman Baths, Newport
• Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
• Caerphilly Castle, Caerphilly
• Carreg Cennen Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Castell Coch, Cardiff
• Chepstow Castle, Monmouthshire
• Cilgerran Castle, Pembrokeshire
• Conwy Castle, Conwy
• Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd
• Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire
• Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
• Kidwelly Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Laugharne Castle, Carmarthenshire
• Oxwich Castle, Swansea
• Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy
• Raglan Castle, Monmouthshire
• Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire
• Rug Chapel, Denbighshire
• St Davids Bishop's Palace, Pembrokeshire
• Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire
• Tretower Court and Castle, Powys
• Valle Crucis Abbey, Denbighshire
• Weobley Castle, Swansea