GWRYCH CASTLE

HX Suggested Reasons to Visit

Once a grand estate, later abandoned and reclaimed, Gwyrch now stands as an icon of restoration and survival. Navigate the hidden tunnels, take in the breathtaking sea views, and step on to the legendary set of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

About

Gwrych Castle, meaning “hedged castle”, has roots stretching back to the medieval period, but the striking Gothic Revival structure seen today was built between 1812 and 1822 by Lloyd Bamford-Hesketh, with architect Thomas Rickman, in memory of his mother. At the height of Romantic-era architecture, Gwrych embodied a vision of medieval fantasy, complete with turrets, towers, and hidden passageways.

In 1894, Gwrych passed to Winifred, Countess of Dundonald, whose unhappy marriage to Douglas Cochrane, 12th Earl of Dundonald led her to spend much of her life at the castle, away from her husband. The castle became a social hub, hosting guests such as Princess Marie Louise of Schleswig-Holstein in 1901. After Winifred’s death in 1924, the castle was briefly offered to George V as a residence for the Prince of Wales, but the royal family declined. Instead, Gwrych passed to the Church in Wales, before being controversially reclaimed by Douglas Cochrane, who sold off its contents to fund the purchase. No member of the Dundonald family would ever live at Gwrych again.

During World War II, the castle took on a new role as a sanctuary, housing 200 Jewish refugees as part of the Kindertransport programme. After the war, Gwrych was sold to Robert Rennie, who opened it to the public, later passing it to Leslie Salts, under whose ownership the castle welcomed over 10 million visitors and became a major attraction. However, after being sold in 1968, its fortunes faded. By 1987, the castle had closed, falling into decay, vandalism, and neglect, stripped of its slate, lead, and fittings.

The story of Gwrych’s rebirth began with Dr. Mark Baker, a local historian who, at just 12 years old, founded the Gwrych Castle Preservation Trust in 1997. His relentless efforts culminated in 2018, when the trust, with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, successfully purchased the estate. Though still largely a ruin, Gwrych is now open to the public, offering visitors the chance to explore its dramatic past.

In 2020, the castle gained new fame as the filming location for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, introducing millions to its haunting beauty. Today, Gwrych stands as a symbol of resilience, restoration, and fascination, inviting visitors to uncover its tunnels, gaze out over the sea, and step inside a story that refuses to be forgotten.

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