Ruthin is not a shopping destination in the retail therapy sense, but it has the kind of independent shops that a prosperous Welsh market town should have: a butcher, a baker, a hardware store, a bookshop or two, and the Craft Centre for anything more considered. Wednesday market day is the best day for the full range.
The Wednesday Market
The best shopping in Ruthin is on Wednesday mornings — local food producers selling direct, seasonal produce from the Vale of Clwyd farms, and a range of goods that varies week to week. Come early for the food.
Ruthin Craft Centre
The Craft Centre gallery sells work by the exhibiting makers — ceramics, jewellery, glass, textiles and mixed media — at prices ranging from the very accessible to the significant. If you want to bring something back from Ruthin that isn't a fridge magnet, this is where to look.
Town Centre Shops
The main shopping street runs through the square and along Well Street and Clwyd Street. There are independent food shops, a pharmacy, a few gift shops, and the general provisions of a small Welsh market town. The town has avoided the full-scale replacement of independents with chains that has overtaken many comparable English towns, which is partly a function of its size and partly of the population it serves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I buy in Ruthin?
Ruthin has independent food shops, a butcher, local bakeries, and the Craft Centre gallery where you can buy contemporary craft work direct from the makers. The Wednesday market is the best place for local produce. The town has largely avoided the chain store replacement that has affected comparable English towns.
Is the Craft Centre worth visiting for shopping?
Yes. Ruthin Craft Centre sells work by the exhibiting makers at prices ranging from very affordable (small ceramics, cards, prints) to significant (major commissions). It is the best place in Ruthin to buy something of lasting quality.
Does Ruthin have a market?
Yes — the Wednesday market on the town square has been running since the 13th century. It sells local farm produce, food, clothing, plants, and general goods. Come before 10am for the best of the food stalls.