Unco-ordinated Attractions

There was no bunting out to celebrate yesterday's reopening after two years of The Old Gaol. But open it was. So that's good news.

This season, the gaol'll be open on six days a week (not Tuesdays). That recognises people are likely to visit Rhuthun/Ruthin on Mondays, on their way back from somewhere else. Such a pity the Craft Centre is closed on a Monday; Nantclsyd y Dre, too.  In fact, Nantclwyd y Dre only opens on three days. Here's the seasonal pattern for 2023:

We have three main attraction but the early part of the week is highly unco-ordinated, especially Mondays and Tuesdays. This will lead to visitor disappointment.

Meanwhile, it turns out that The Old Gaol has thrice won a 'Hidden Gem' award in Wales. The fact that it's 'hidden' is surely not much of an accolade. When you add The Old Gaol's concealed and secretive nature to Nantclwyd y Dre's restricted opening then you wonder whether Rhuthun actually is the tourist venue it thinks it is.

Attraction	Visitors p.a.
Craft Centre	80,000
Old Gaol	14,000 (including off-season groups)
Nantclwyd y Dre	3,500