Mediaeval Banquets in North Wales...

...in a real Mediaeval Castle

See information about Mediaeval Style Themed Weddings

Even before Edward I rebuilt it around 1277-1282, Ruthin Castle is recorded as an important strategic Welsh fortress of wood and stone and there is no doubt that Ruthin was very much at the centre of the ferociously stormy mediaeval history between England and Wales, frequently changing hands amongst Nobles and Monarchy. One of its first residents was Reginald de Grey, formerly the very Sheriff of Nottingham charged with raising the 'finest army in the land' to defeat the outlaw Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. The castle later withstood many a siege including that by the Welsh rebel, Owain Glyndwr in 1400 before eventually falling in 1647 to the Parliamentary forces ('roundheads') in the civil war.

The first Mediaeval Banquets in Britain

Today the ancient dungeon still survives together with the whipping pit and drowning pool and it is against this background of chivalry and valour that Ruthin Castle became the first in Britain to start hosting themed mediaeval banquets. Now it regularly opens its great oak gates and welcomes visitors to enjoy the authentic mediaeval experience.

The evening starts with an accompanied tour of sections of the 13th century walls, dungeon, whipping pit and drowning pool (only by pre-arrangement & subject to availability at an extra charge of £3.00 per person with a minimum of 10 people) for those who wish, followed by an introduction in the Presence Chamber where all guests assemble prior to the banquet. Fully costumed Ladies of the Court and the Court Steward and Herald then lead guests into the Banquet Hall where they entertain, sing, jest and lead the evening's feasting with dagger and fingers... accompanied by mead from clay cups and wine in pewter goblets. Guests can also wear costume if they choose (including hiring them by advance arrangement).

Medieval Costume Hire from The Costume Company (links open in new browser window)
Note: Ruthin Castle customers receive FREE costume delivery to the venue.

	Sample Menu	Vegetarian Menu
First	Thick Vegetable Soup	Fruit Juice or Soup made from Vegetables of the Season
Second	Welsh lamb roasted in herbs and spices	Golden Vegetable Casserole
Third	Half a young chicken roasted in honey & oranges with mixed salad and a jacket potato	Spiced Vegetable Pastie in Wholemeal Cheese Pastry served with Homemade Tomato Sauce, Jacket Potato and Salad
Fourth	A Syllabub of fruit, cream and wine	Syllabub or fresh fruit

Mead and wine are served with the meal. Coffee is served after the entertainment.

Mediaeval Banquet Rates 2008
Traditional Mediaeval Banquet* £39.95 inclusive Children 11 years and under: £19.50 Payable in advance. Price includes a 4-course Meal, plus all the Wines and Entertainment in the Mediaeval Style CURRENT MAY 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY 10th, 16th, 24th CURRENT JUNE 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY 7th, 20th, 21st, 28th CURRENT JULY 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY 5th, 8th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 26th other dates may be available for groups of 40 or more ALSO SEE OUR MEDIAEVAL BANQUET BREAKS ***** Ruthin Castle Mediaeval Murder Mystery* £42.50 inclusive Children 11 years and under £19.50 Payable in advance. Price includes a 4-course Meal, plus all the Wines and Entertainment in the Mediaeval Style with the added twist of an intriguing Murder Mystery for you to solve. As an option why not be one of the cast? Use your detective skills and figure out whodunnit! For available dates please call the bookings line below. Advance bookings are essential. Please be aware that the Murder Mystery events run on set dates through the year. CURRENT 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY 24th MAY, 12th JULY, 4th OCTOBER and 29th NOVEMBER other dates may be available for groups of 40 or more . SEE OUR MEDIAEVAL MURDER MYSTERY BREAKS ***** Mediaeval Banquet Afternoon Teas* £9.50 including Mediaeval Entertainment (minimum of 20 people) For a well earned touring stop off, a gathering or even a function with a difference, why not try our charming Mediaeval Banquet afternoon teas? Served within the banquet hall which leads through the presence chamber and onto our courtyard, dungeons and gardens. It is an ideal setting for a relaxing, traditional favourite with Ruthin Castle's very own twist!

Mediaeval Banquet Rates 2008

Traditional Mediaeval Banquet*

£39.95 inclusive
Children 11 years and under: £19.50

Payable in advance. Price includes a 4-course Meal, plus all the Wines and Entertainment in the Mediaeval Style

CURRENT MAY 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY

10th, 16th, 24th

CURRENT JUNE 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY

7th, 20th, 21st, 28th

CURRENT JULY 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY

5th, 8th, 11th, 18th, 25th, 26th

other dates may be available for groups of 40 or more

ALSO SEE OUR MEDIAEVAL BANQUET BREAKS

*****

Ruthin Castle Mediaeval Murder Mystery*

£42.50 inclusive

Children 11 years and under £19.50

Payable in advance. Price includes a 4-course Meal, plus all the Wines and Entertainment in the Mediaeval Style with the added twist of an intriguing Murder Mystery for you to solve. As an option why not be one of the cast? Use your detective skills and figure out whodunnit!

For available dates please call the bookings line below. Advance bookings are essential.

Please be aware that the Murder Mystery events run on set dates through the year.

CURRENT 2008 DATES WITH AVAILABILITY

24th MAY, 12th JULY, 4th OCTOBER and 29th NOVEMBER

other dates may be available for groups of 40 or more

SEE OUR MEDIAEVAL MURDER MYSTERY BREAKS

*****

Mediaeval Banquet Afternoon Teas*

£9.50 including Mediaeval Entertainment

(minimum of 20 people)

For a well earned touring stop off, a gathering or even a function with a difference, why not try our charming Mediaeval Banquet afternoon teas? Served within the banquet hall which leads through the presence chamber and onto our courtyard, dungeons and gardens. It is an ideal setting for a relaxing, traditional favourite with Ruthin Castle's very own twist!

To Book
Advance bookings are essential. Telephone: +44 (0) 1824 702664 or e-mail: banquets@ruthincastle.co.uk

Refunds and Cancellations
Deposits/advance payments cannot be refunded, though we will always try to re-sell your tickets. We therefore strongly advise you to insure against cancellation. * Advance bookings are required and minimum numbers may also be requested. Please contact the number above to arrange your banquet option.

Refunds and Cancellations

Deposits/advance payments cannot be refunded, though we will always try to re-sell your tickets.
We therefore strongly advise you to insure against cancellation.

* Advance bookings are required and minimum numbers may also be requested. Please contact the number above to arrange your banquet option.

Mediaeval Style Themed Weddings

One of the options available to couples getting married at Ruthin Castle is to enjoy a Mediaeval style wedding during which guests can join in the fun and choose a Mediaeval Costume from the vast selection of elaborately hand-finished gowns and outfits in our Costume Room (additional charges apply).

Celebrate your union by enjoying the authentic flavour of mediaeval living, quaff wine from the pewter goblets and mead from clay cups and eat a nourishing four-course mediaeval meal with a dagger. Be entertained by the harp music and the singing of the Ladies of the Court, who are watched over by the jealous eyes of the Court Steward.

For more information about Themed Weddings at Ruthin Castle in North Wales, please use the links below to download the various brochures comprising our Themed Wedding Pack.

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