The Myddelton Arms on the west side of Ruthin's town square is the building that defines the town's visual identity. Its Dutch-influenced facade with seven distinctive dormer windows — the "eyes of Ruthin" that gaze out over the medieval market place — has been the most recognisable image of the town since the building was constructed in the mid-16th century. It is also a pub, a hotel, and the best spot in Ruthin to sit with a drink and watch the square.
The Building
The Myddelton Arms was built in the mid-16th century and is associated with the Myddleton family, a prominent Welsh gentry family whose most famous member, Sir Hugh Myddleton (1560–1631), was responsible for constructing the New River — the 40-mile channel that brought fresh water from Hertfordshire to London in 1613, one of the great engineering achievements of the early modern period.
The building's most distinctive feature is the roof arrangement: seven dormers in the form of eyes peering out from the roof line, giving it the appearance of a face gazing down on the square. The design is Dutch-influenced, reflecting the trading connections of Welsh gentry with the Low Countries in the Tudor and Stuart period. "The eyes of Ruthin" has been the building's nickname since at least the 18th century.
Today
The Myddelton Arms operates as a hotel and public house. The ground-floor bar is the central pub in Ruthin — the place where the town's social life congregates on a Wednesday market morning, and the obvious first port of call for an evening drink. Food is served. The hotel rooms above give you the experience of sleeping inside a Grade II listed 16th-century building on the medieval town square, which is not available at many prices in Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 'eyes of Ruthin'?
The 'eyes of Ruthin' are the seven distinctive dormer windows in the roof of the Myddelton Arms on the town square. They have the appearance of eyes gazing down on the medieval market place, giving the building its famous nickname.
Is the Myddelton Arms a hotel?
Yes, the Myddelton Arms operates as both a pub and a hotel. The hotel rooms are in the 16th-century building on the town square. It is an unusual and historically interesting place to stay, directly overlooking the medieval market place.
Who were the Myddletons of Ruthin?
The Myddleton family were a prominent Welsh gentry family associated with Ruthin from the 16th century. Sir Hugh Myddleton (1560-1631) was the most famous member — the engineer responsible for the New River, the 40-mile channel that brought fresh water to London in 1613.