The history of Rhug, can be split into chapters – the first is the largest and spans from earliest times to coming into the hands of the Salusbury family of Bachymbyd.  Rhug was then left to the Vaughan family of Nannau and finally it came into the Wynn family in the 19th century, and so to the present Lord Newborough.

The first documented record of Rhug, dates back to 1080, when Gruffydd ap Cynan, Prince of Gwynedd and Lord of Rhug, was imprisoned in Chester over a rivalry with Meirion Goch of Lleyn.

Gruffydd’s daughter married Madog ap Maredudd, forming an alliance between Powys and Gwynedd.  The borders of these counties, moved around with regular monotony until the creation of Merioneth in 1284 by the Statute of Rhuddlan.

A True Welsh Ancestry
Rhug Estate covers 12,500 acres extending from Gwyddelwern in the north, Carrog to the east, Cynwyd to the south and Maerdy to the west. Our 6,700 acre in-hand organic farm in Denbighshire is the geographical core of the estate along with Rûg Mansion, the main residence. The Glynllifon Estate, near Caernarfon, includes the main in-hand farming enterprise of Ty Mawr which consists of approx. 1500 acres.
The remainder of our estate has about 170 tenancies includes: let farms, in-hand and let forestry, let cottages, commercial premises and storage. Traditional sporting including shooting and fishing, modern sports such as rally car driving, gorge walking, mountain biking, canoeing and other public events.

I firmly believe in sustainable farming and employing the highest standard of animal welfare. By not using sprays, artificial fertiliser and routine medication you end up with a more healthy, tender, and tasty meat. All of the livestock enjoy a 100% organic diet and live free-range on clover rich pasture.

– Lord Newborough, Founder

Field to Plate
Our farm is a self-contained field-to-plate operation that follows the highest animal welfare standards. We do not routinely drench (administer drugs by mouth) or inject our animals, and avoid handling them. It all helps minimise stress and rear happy animals, which produce the best meat. The farm also benefits from rich organic pastures that our animals are free to graze on with almost no interruption. They live life as nature intended with minimal stress and the highest quality of life which is all monitored by our governing body, The Soil Association.
Diverse and Sustainable
Over the past few years, Rhug Estate has transformed into an award-winning diverse business which is recognised for embracing sustainable organic farming, green energy, retail, wholesale and most recently, skincare. In 2016 Rhug Estate won a Footprint Award for the ‘Sustainable Use of Natural Resources’ through our renewable heat and power generation. We also support the alternative fuel movement by playing host to Pod-Point electric car charging facilities. All of our Takeaway and Drive Thru packaging is fully compostable or recyclable. We are also closely working with our suppliers in the shop to achieve the same for our Rhug Farm Shop products. We are continually developing ways to further reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our beautiful surroundings.
Passion for Organic
An organic farming pioneer and sustainability advocate, Lord Newborough has championed the highest standards of organic and sustainable farming for many years, protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations. Our Estate produces its own energy with hydro, solar, water/ground/air-source heat pumps, biomass boilers and wind turbine. The riverside corridors running alongside the estate’s fields are part of the Welsh government’s Tir Gofal and Glastir agri-environmental schemes. Rhug has nearly nine kilometres of riverside, which is fenced off to protect the water and encourage wildlife habitats.